D-Generation X
- This article refers to a faction in the WWE, for the article on the pay-per-view see In Your House 19: D-Generation X
D-Generation X (a.k.a. DeGeneration X, D-X and DX) is a faction in World Wrestling Entertainment which had its original run from 1997 to 2000. The group underwent several lineup changes through the original run and as a result no one person has been a D-X member at every point in its history. After one-off returns in 2000 and 2002, D-X reformed in June 2006 as the tag team of Triple H and Shawn Michaels. Throughout the faction's entire history, the two most used colors for D-X have been black and green.
History
Origin
"D-X" was formed during the WWF's highly successful "attitude era" in the latter half of 1997. Real life friends Shawn Michaels and Hunter Hearst Helmsley (Triple H) were the original two members, along with their bodyguard, Chyna and their "insurance policy", Rick Rude. On October 13, 1997, the group officially referred to themselves as D-Generation X for the first time as well as invented their trademark slogan, "Suck it!" They were often shown on television practicing sophomoric humor, and rebelling against authority figures in the company. Their trademark "crotch chops" became one of the most popular gestures in pro wrestling history while their "D-Generation X" T-shirts enjoyed incredible sales.
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 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, Owen Hart, continued to feud with D-X, specifically Triple H.
"D-Generation X" was also used as the title for a WWF "In Your House" pay-per-view telecast on December 7, 1997. (In Your House 19: "D-Generation X")
D-X army
On March 29, 1998, the WWF held WrestleMania, 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. Michaels was now out of D-X and, the next night, Triple H declared himself to be the new leader. 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. In his debut X-Pac, who had just been released from World Championship Wrestling, cut a now famous 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 their 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.
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 characteristic mannerisms. The segment was somewhat controversial in that several members of D-X were in blackface.
| Nation member: | D-X member: | Parody character: | Distinguishing features and mannerisms: |
| The Rock | Triple H | The Crock | Self-deprecating catch phrases; exaggerated version of The People's Elbow; his own European Championship belt with the letters "I-C" on the faceplate with black tape, since The Rock was the Intercontinental Champion at the time. |
| 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". |
On December 14, 1998, D-X and Jason Sensation, along with 2 midgets, parodied The Corporation in the same manner.
| 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. |
| Big Boss Man | Chyna | 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
On October 25, 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 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 and Christian referred to the group as "The Fac-gime" (Pronounced Fack-sheem), combining both words, faction and 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. 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 the November 6, 2000 edition of RAW is WAR the group temporarily rejoined (save for X-Pac, who was injured) to take on Chris Benoit, 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. which The Radicalz won.
On July 22 2002, on the episode of RAW, a week after the breakup of the 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.
Return of D-Generation X
In 2006, a series of events took place which suggested a reunion of Shawn Michaels and Triple H as D-X starting at WrestleMania 22 where both Shawn Michaels and Triple H performed the crotch chop during their matches. The two continued to deliver chops in the following episodes of WWE RAW as Michaels feuded with Mr. McMahon and Triple H went for the WWE Championship, repeatedly butting heads with Mr. McMahon in the process.
The rumors of a return were fueled by many releases in late-May and June such as copies of a WWF Magazine from January 1998, autographed by Michaels and Triple H on WWE's auction site, as well as a D-X DVD and T-shirt, and the announcement of the release a two pack of action figures, featuring classic Michaels and Triple H in D-X gear in August.
On the June 12 edition of RAW, the rumors were finally proven true. During Triple H's gauntlet match against the Spirit Squad, Shawn Michaels came in to save his old friend Triple H. After the duo had routed the Spirit Squad, the two men began to do their infamous crotch chops and Triple H mooned Mr. McMahon. During WWE Unlimited, Michaels and Triple H directed their old catchphrase, "Suck it!", to McMahon which sent him into a rage. After the break, Mr. McMahon announced backstage that the Spirit Squad would face "that damn D-X" at Vengeance on June 25 in a 5-on-2 handicap match.
The next week on RAW, DX returned to their sophomoric humor of old, including segments where they "slimed" the Spirit Squad with green paint and defaced Jonathan Coachman's office before slamming him through a wall and spray painting the letters "D" (backwards) and "X" on his bare behind. The show was "main evented" by the "official" reunification of D-X in the form of a promo which saw them bring out a group of midgets dressed as the Spirit Squad and a group of female cheerleaders, who took off their tops to reveal bras with "DX" painted on them after doing a cheer of their own. A joke was made about Michaels having to be blindfolded for this, as he is now a born-again Christian. When The Spirit Squad (and a number of other heels) came out to confront D-X they were quickly dispatched and the Midget Spirit Squad mooned them, revealing the message "Suck It" written on their behinds.
Legacy
D-X was 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.
D-X is generally considered one of the most popular tweener stables in pro wrestling history with their merchandise sales constantly going through the roof and the ability for former members to make a crowd pop by either mentioning or performing their signature taunts.
Members
- Current members
- Shawn Michaels (co-founder) - September 20, 1997-March 29, 1998; January 4, 1999; June 12, 2006 - present
- Triple H (co-founder) - September 20, 1997-March 28, 1999; October 25, 1999-December 12, 2000; June 12, 2006 - present
- Former members
- Chyna - September 20, 1997-January 25, 1999
- Rick Rude - September 20, 1997-November 17, 1997
- Bad Ass Billy Gunn - March 30, 1998-May 2, 1999; September 23, 1999-February 282000
- Road Dogg Jesse James - March 30, 1998-August 24, 2000
- X-Pac - March 30, 1998-August 24, 2000
- Tori - January 27, 2000-June 25, 2000
- Periphery 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 boxer to act as special enforcer for Shawn Michaels's WWF 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) - Sensation took part in both of the infamous D-X parodies in 1998, playing Owen Hart and Shawn Michaels respectively.
- Howard Finkel (August 30, 1998) - After having his head shaved by Jeff Jarrett on Heat, Howard Finkel accompanied X-Pac to the ring for his match against Jeff Jarrett in a "Hair versus Hair" match at SummerSlam, helping X-Pac win the match and thus exacting some revenge on Jarrett.
- 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. However, X-Pac turned on Kane during the night of the official D-X reunion.
- Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley - Triple H's on-screen (and eventual real life) wife during the McMahon-Helmsley Regime.
- 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
External links
