Complete with half-naked cheerleaders giving linebackers and drunken fans alike provocative rub-downs, a new football league entered the American culture last weekend.

For those of you who skipped the inaugural games of XFL — take it from me — you didn't miss the breakout of top-notch athletes and a finely-tuned league, but the WWF-sponsored organization does have a few good ideas.

The rule changes. The better camera angles. The unrestrained microphones. And, the idea of giving an entire slew of dejected running backs and tight ends another shot to live out their dreams.

Take "He Hate Me," for example, the running back for the Las Vegas Outlaws. His real name is Rod Smart, and he played college ball for Western Kentucky. What befuddles me, however, is how the first star of the XFL wanted people to see "He Hate Me" instead of "Smart" on the back of his jersey.

You see, one of the downsides to the XFL is that a player can put whatever he wants on the back of his jersey. No more informative jerseys like "Je. Lewis" or "R. Williams." Expect to see jaw-dropping tags like "Big Dawg" and "Legbreaker."

It's completely absurd. Imagine a post-game interview going something like this, "So, 'He Hate Me," can you explain that last TD run?"

Seriously though, what's wrong with real names? Remembering everyone's nickname and real name is going to get very confusing. Are they trying to create WWF-like characters here?

You bet your bottom turnbuckle they are.

The XFL execs know their audience. They're trying to appeal to football junkies who are bummed out now that the Pro Bowl has gone aloha. And, the XFL figures, not everyone likes the low-scoring games of the NBA or the even lower-scoring games of the NHL. So, let's bring the fans a rock 'em, sock 'em version of what they miss the most, so says the XFL.

But therein lies the problem. Football purists are going to denounce the league for its wacky jersey names and flirtatious cheerleaders. The junkies, however, will love that stuff. After all, football is football, right?

Nope.

But, in my opinion, the XFL will not wither away and become defunct like the World League and other extraneous football organizations. No, there are too many good things in the XFL for that.

For starters, take the abolishment of the coin toss. What a grand idea — no more flipping of a piece of silver to decide who gets the ball first in a game so heavily dependent on physical punishment. In the XFL, a player from each team sprints at a ball lying at midfield. Whoever gets the pigskin first and controls possession, gets the ball to start the game and in overtime if the game gets that far. Take that, NFL.

And, the additional microphones are an awesome idea as well. Since football is such a violent game that thrives on collisions and head-knocking hits, let the fans hear them. And, maybe one day in the future when censors realize lil' Mikey will hear obscenities at school anyway, we'll get to hear all of the filthy rhetoric that flows from linemen's sweaty lips.

Above all, the XFL is great for football because it's simply another shot to wow the NFL scouts. If Smart keeps his act up, don't be surprised if he's trying out for the Cincinnati Bengals or the Chicago Bears come this summer. And, what about the return of ex-Miami Dolphin John Avery? He's on the Chicago Enforcers, and if he has a few more games of 250 rushing-receiving yards like he did last weekend, expect the 'Fins to come a' callin' yet again.

But the success of the XFL will undoubtedly rely on how well the public adapts to an entirely new league filled with virtual strangers and almost-has-been's. The Nielsen ratings, however, said that Americans flocked to tube, as ratings were several points higher than NBC sports president Dick Ebersol wildest expectations.

And, for the sake of keeping its viewers sane, the XFL needs to get rid of Jesse "The Cliché" Ventura. His repetitive and hackneyed input is more adept for the WWF, where words don't really matter. Besides, doesn't he have a state to govern?

The sooner Ventura and other WWF links to the XFL are expunged, the faster the league will prosper. After all, it's supposed to be a reality-laden football league, not a forum for vociferous egomaniacs.