D-Generation X: Difference between revisions
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But the fact still remains that four of the former members of D-X, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn will not join the WWE as they have current contracts with [[TNA Wrestling]], Chyna noted that she will not return to the WWE, and Sean Waltman (X-Pac) is locked up to the [[Wrestling Society X]] promotion as MTV decided to pick up the series for at least one season. Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and Chyna have also all noted in previous interviews that they will never return to the WWE. |
But the fact still remains that four of the former members of D-X, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn will not join the WWE as they have current contracts with [[TNA Wrestling]], Chyna noted that she will not return to the WWE, and Sean Waltman (X-Pac) is locked up to the [[Wrestling Society X]] promotion as MTV decided to pick up the series for at least one season. Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and Chyna have also all noted in previous interviews that they will never return to the WWE. |
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www.pwinsider.com noted on their site on the 4th May 2006 that the WWE had announced that D-Generation X would return at the Vengeance pay-per-view. This has provided speculation as to whether the "faction" will indeed just be a tag-team of HBK and Triple H or whether the two will recruit members, similar to what Triple H and Ric Flair did to form Evolution. |
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==Part-time and unofficial members== |
==Part-time and unofficial members== |
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Revision as of 07:01, 7 May 2006
D-Generation X (a.k.a. DeGeneration X, D-X and DX) was a faction in the World Wrestling Federation from 1997 to 2000. The group was formed in late 1997, when real-life friends Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley started teaming together in the ring. Along with Helmsley's "bodyguard" Chyna and Michaels' "insurance policy" the late Rick Rude (Rude left shortly after for WCW), they formed D-Generation X.
Origin
"DX" was formed during WWF's highly successful "attitude era" in 1997. Real life friends Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley (HHH) were the original two members, along with their bodyguard, Chyna. They were often shown on television practicing sophmoric humor, and rebelling against authority figures in the company. Their trademark "crotch chops" became one of the most popular gestures in pro wrestling history, and their "D-Generation X" t-shirts sold like crazy.
The name D-Generation X was taken from an opinion column by Phil Mushnick, which appeared in TV Guide, in which Mushnick lambasted wrestling's primarily-Generation X fanbase as degenerates, dubbing them Degeneration X.
On-screen, however, the name was taken from Bret Hart who claimed that Shawn Michaels and Triple H were nothing more than degenerates. D-Generation X's first feud came against Bret Hart and his Hart Foundation. This feud ended in November 1997 at the Survivor Series pay-per-view in the infamous Montreal Screwjob which did lead to, Bret leaving the company along with two of the remaining three members of the Foundation. The only one that remained in the WWF was Owen Hart and he continued his feud with D-X, specifically Triple H. Owen passed away during a WWF pay-per-view event on May 23, 1999 in Kansas City, Missouri.
"D-Generation X" was also used as the title for the WWF's monthly pay-per-view telecast in December 1997.
D-X army
On March 29, 1998, the WWF held WrestleMania XIV, its annual flagship event. Shawn Michaels was the WWF Champion, Triple H was the European Champion, and they had recruited boxer Mike Tyson to act as the "Special Enforcer" in the main event of the night featuring Michaels against Stone Cold Steve Austin. At the end of the match, Tyson turned on D-Generation X and cost Michaels the match. The real reason for this was that Michaels had suffered a back injury which needed surgery; as it turned out, Michaels would not wrestle again until 2002. Michaels was out of D-X and next night, Triple H declared himself to be the new leader of D-X. He recruited X-Pac and The New Age Outlaws, a tag team of The Road Dogg and Billy Gunn, to form a new D-X. X-Pac, who had just been released from World Championship Wrestling, cut a promo where he responded to then-WCW wrestler Hulk Hogan's live interview that alluded to X-Pac's recent release from the promotion.
The "new and improved" D-X were less anti-social than the first version, so they became extremely popular and eventually turned face. During this time, they would be involved in several storylines and skits - including a feud with the rival Nation of Domination and a video package where they raided Atlanta, the home of WCW. At one point the they even attempted to "invade" (with a tank and military dress) a live broadcast of WCW Monday Nitro in Norfolk, Virginia, across Hampton Roads from where WWF Raw is War had its live broadcast in Hampton, Virginia (they made it to the Norfolk Scope arena, but were barred entry). For about a year, D-Generation X stayed together. Triple H and Chyna then went to join Vince McMahon's "Corporation", and Billy Gunn pursued a singles career. The only remaining members were Road Dogg and X-Pac.
D-X is believed by many to be heavily influenced by WCW's nWo (although Vince McMahon has denied this on many occasions), and was created to battle with WCW in the ratings war. Incidentally, D-X and the nWo included members of the Kliq.
Nation of Domination and Corporation parodies
D-X, along with comedian Jason Sensation, parodied the Nation of Domination on the July 6, 1998 episode of RAW, with each member of D-X dressing as a Nation member and impersonating their characterictic mannerisms. The segment was somewhat controversial in that several members of D-X were in blackface. On December 14, 1998, D-X and Jason Sensation, along with 2 midgets, parodied The Corporation in the same manner.
| Nation member: | D-X member: | Parody character: | Distinguishing features and mannerisms: |
| The Rock | Triple H | The Crock | Self-deprecating catchphrases, exaggerated version of The People's Elbow. |
| D'Lo Brown | Road Dogg | B'Lo Brown | Chest protector, head-shaking, use of the word "brother", repeating what The Crock had just said. |
| Mark Henry | X-Pac | Mizark Henry | Pecs which went "all the way around to the back", voracious appetite. |
| The Godfather | Billy Gunn | The Gunnfather | Use of the word "Westside." |
| Owen Hart | Jason Sensation | Owen Hart | Large prosthetic nose, nasal voice, costume made out of caution tape, use of the word "damn." |
| Corporation member: | D-X member: | Parody character: | Distinguishing features and mannerisms: |
| The Rock | Triple H | The Crock | Self-deprecating catchphrases, exaggerated eybrow and sideburns; Fake WWF Championship belt; Admitting he's an asskisser. |
| Vince McMahon | Road Dogg | Mr. McMahon | Admitting he's an asshole; had 2 midgets following him around playing Gerald Brisco and Pat Patterson that were kissing his butt; treating Shane like a baby. |
| Shane McMahon | Billy Gunn | Shane McMahon | Acting and talking like a child; wears a dirty diaper; knows what a sphincter is. |
| Ken Shamrock | X-Pac | Ken Shamrock | Walking around yelling angrily; talking about sphincters puts him "in the zone"; tries to attack people; fake WWF Intercontinental Championship belt. |
| The Big Boss Man | Chyna | The Big Boss Man | Twirling around a nightstick like a baton, then dropping it during the routine. |
| Shawn Michaels | Jason Sensation | HBGay | Holding a basketball that he drops (dropping the ball); expensive suit and hat/ |
The end of an era
In late 1999, the group reformed to include every member except for Shawn Michaels, Chyna and Rick Rude (who had died that April). From then until mid-2000, D-X remained a strong and united group. In early 2000, however, Billy Gunn was placed out of action for several months after suffering an injury against The Dudley Boyz. Gunn's storyline involved him getting thrown out of D-X when he lost his cool. X-Pac was teamed with Road Dogg, but the two never reached the heights of the New Age Outlaws. At WrestleMania 2000, Vince McMahon turned on The Rock and aided Triple H in retaining his title. This marked the start of what many fans nicknamed "Corporate-D-X" (much like the Corporate Ministry from the previous year). However the group was officially dubbed the McMahon-Helmsley Faction (it had earlier gone by the name "McMahon-Helmsley Regime"). Edge & Christian referred to the group as "The Fac-gime"(Pronounced Fack-sheem), combining both words, faction & regime after having an argument as to whether to call the group a faction, or regime.
The following month The Rock defeated Triple H at Backlash in a match which featured Steve Austin's brief return to the WWF before his long term return in October 2000. Though Triple H would regain the title the following month at Judgment Day, the group gradually broke apart. By late 2000 Triple H was a solo star, while other members went the same way. On a November edition of RAW is WAR the group temporarily rejoined (save for X-Pac, who was injured) to take on Chris Benoit, the late Eddie Guerrero, Dean Malenko and Perry Saturn (The Radicalz) in an 8-man tag team match which D-X won. The match included the group doing their old D-X entrance as well as telling the crowd to "suck it!" It was the symbolic end to D-Generation X. However, the members of D-X (excluding Triple H) along with K-Kwik, then Road Dogg's tag team partner, went on to have a feud with the Radicalz that month, eventually leading up to a match at Survivor Series, involving the same 8 wrestlers except for Triple H, who was replaced by K-Kwik. The Radicalz won the match.
On July 11 2002, on the episode of RAW after the breakup of nWo, Triple H handed Shawn Michaels a D-X t-shirt and stated he "had an idea," suggesting that the two reform the group. The duo later came out that night to their old music and crotch chops to the delight of the crowd. However, this did not last as Triple H turned on Michaels that very show; he had teased the reunion as a ploy to appease Michaels and lure him to the ring before giving him a Pedigree. This act lead to the in-ring return of Shawn Michaels at Summerslam 2002 and the genesis of a long feud between the two.
Potential Return
At WrestleMania 22, in his Street Fight with Mr. McMahon, Shawn Michaels gave the D-X crotch chop to Vince while perched atop the ladder. This led to the crowd cheering the antic and chanting "D-X". Later that night, in the main event match against John Cena, Triple H performed the taunt as well. Immediately after the event, rumors of a D-X reunion began to run rampant. These rumors have only grown stronger with each week, as the next night on Raw, Shawn Michaels used an old D-X trick by saying he had "two words" for Mr. McMahon, and allowed the crowd to yell "Suck It!", which again led to heavy "D-X" chants. Triple H has used the crotch chop several times since as well.
It is rumored that John Cena said the "Chain gang" could kick DX's ass during a rare RAW taping in the UK. This brought many boos in the audience and was edited out of the USA network program.
At WWE Backlash on April 30, Shawn Michaels again taunted the McMahons with crotch chop, and Triple H did the same in the main event.
On the May 1 edition of Raw, Triple H was heading to the back after walking out of a match in which he was the special guest referee and ran into Shawn Michaels, who also had been a guest referee in an earlier match and was replacing Triple H. The two stopped and stared at each other for a few moments while the crowd chanted "D-X" and then went about their ways. After taking over refereeing the match, Shawn Michaels performed a D-X crotch chop in the ring.
It is still being speculated as to whether or not this reunion will take place and who would be included in the stable other than Triple H and Michaels, if anyone. Some question how it could be done since Michaels and Triple H have been bitter enemies since Michaels' return to the ring in 2002, and some also say that D-X has had too many variations in the past. Shawn Michaels' spirituality and claims of being born again have also led people to believe a new version of D-X would be far more tame than before.
However, the live crowds have shown a great interest in seeing a reunion between the two, and with Shawn Michaels being a face and slightly more edgy as of late, and Triple H currently on route to a face turn, the WWE has been dropping less than subtle hints and fueling the claims each week.
Also, the WWE has a new set of action figures coming out in August. One of the features is a two pack classic feature, containing Michaels and Triple H in their original D-X attire. Since this news broke on May 1, 2006, the rumors have yet again grown stronger. In addition, the PPV provider Viewers Choice Canada released information on their website at www.viewerschoice.ca in their promo for WWE Vengeance that the event would feature the reunion of Michaels and Helmsley as Degeneration X. All references were later removed.
But the fact still remains that four of the former members of D-X, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn will not join the WWE as they have current contracts with TNA Wrestling, Chyna noted that she will not return to the WWE, and Sean Waltman (X-Pac) is locked up to the Wrestling Society X promotion as MTV decided to pick up the series for at least one season. Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and Chyna have also all noted in previous interviews that they will never return to the WWE.
www.pwinsider.com noted on their site on the 4th May 2006 that the WWE had announced that D-Generation X would return at the Vengeance pay-per-view. This has provided speculation as to whether the "faction" will indeed just be a tag-team of HBK and Triple H or whether the two will recruit members, similar to what Triple H and Ric Flair did to form Evolution.
Part-time and unofficial members
- Jim Neidhart (November 24, 1997) - After The Hart Foundation dissolved in 1997, Neidhart appeared to have been named the newest member of D-X. However, soon after his "induction", Chyna low blowed him, D-X beat him down, and then spray painted "WCW" on his back. Triple H would defeat him later that night. Neidhart left for WCW soon after.
- Harvey Wippleman (December 1, 1997) - The week after Rick Rude left for WCW, Wippleman filled in for him when he introduced D-X. However, Shawn Michaels and Triple H threw him out of the ring, giving him a short tenure.
- "Iron" Mike Tyson (March 2, 1998-March 29, 1998) - D-X recruited the infamous boxer to act as special enforcer for Shawn Michaels' WWE Championship match with Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. However, he turned on D-X when he counted the pinfall for Austin's victory and knocked Michaels out after the match.
- Jason Sensation (July 6, 1998; December 14, 1998) - Took part in both of the infamous D-X parodies in 1998, playing Owen Hart and Shawn Michaels respectively. Both of his appearances were well received by the fans.
- Mankind (December 28, 1998-January 11, 1999) - Mankind was "adopted" by D-X during his quest to win the WWF Championship from late-1998 to early-1999.
- Kane (March 29, 1999-October 28, 1999) - Kane teamed with X-Pac and won the World Tag-Team Championship twice in 1999, while X-Pac was still a part of D-X. Rumours were running wild at the time that Kane would be formally inducted into D-X, and action figures featuring Kane in a green and black outfit were produced. However, X-Pac turned on Kane the night of the official D-X reunion.
- Tori (January 27, 2000-June 25, 2000) - X-Pac's on-screen girlfriend in the McMahon-Helmsley Faction. Though she dressed like a D-X member and came out to D-X music, she was never formally referred to as a member of D-X
- Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley - Triple H's on-screen (and eventual real life) wife during the McMahon-Helmsley Regime. Much like Tori, she was never officially considered a member of D-X.
- Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, Pat Patterson, and Gerald Brisco - All were members of the McMahon-Helmsley Faction, but weren't technically D-X members, though they interfered and assisted D-X when possible.
- K-Kwik - Teamed with The New Age Outlaws and Chyna at Survivor Series 2000 during D-X's short term "reunion".
Videos
References
- Obsessed With Wrestling. Retrieved 2/24/2005.
- D-X's Nation parody
- D-X's Corporation parody