D-Generation X

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Image:Dxa.jpg D-Generation X (a.k.a. DeGeneration X, D-X or DX) was a faction in the World Wrestling Federation from 1997 to 2000. The group was formed in late 1997 as WWF's answer to WCW's popular nWo faction, 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. They had many heel and face turns.


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Origin

Image:Rude DX.jpg

The group was a major change from the WWF's previous "family-friendly" image: they would make obscene gestures, swear on TV and tell opponents to "suck it." Their theme music was intended to sound like controversial band Rage Against The Machine. They used the motto "You make the rules, and we'll break 'em." The group drew a lot of heat from the fans, but eventually became faces. They were an integral part of the Attitude Era, a period in the organization's history where they received a large amount of attention from mainstream media outlets and the general public.

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.

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DX 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. (Ironically, Road Dogg and X-Pac were the last two members of the group during the group's last run as well, not counting any one-night-only reunions.)

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. Both D-X and the nWo included members of the famed Kliq. In spite of this D-X was still one of the most popular groups in the company's history.

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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, DX 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 Commissioner Shawn Michaels Holding a basketball that he drops (dropping the ball); expensive suit and hat/
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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.

In 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.

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The Return of DX? (2006)

Today, a DX reunion seems unlikely, at least with the New DX members. The New Age Outlaws are now in TNA as the James Gang. They also bashed Triple H in a shoot interview that was leaked to the internet in 2005. X-Pac currently competes for various independent promotions under his real name Sean Waltman, and he will also be involved in MTV's new pro wrestling project. Rumors have risen that Sean Waltman may return to the WWE to join DX if the WSX promotion doesn't take off.

It is slightly more likely to bring back the original DX (with the exception of Chyna and obviously Rude). Chyna has been basically inactive from wrestling since she left the WWF in 2001, and Rick Rude died in 1999. Triple H and Shawn Michaels do both compete on RAW, though Triple H is a heel and Michaels is a babyface. Also, Michaels, a born again Christian, seemed unlikely to revert back to the controversial and anti-establishment antics that made DX become successful today. If Triple H was to restart DX, he would have to fill the group with new members, however this is unlikely because Triple H's character is now a dark, all-for-one wrestler. The end of Evolution in 2005 also signified the probable end of Triple H getting involved in tag team stables.

If the internet is to be believed, WWE is at least considering bringing DX back, meaning the recent stages are more than just teasers, however, there are certain potential problems; Shawn Michaels' faith may stop a return to the old DX. Also, 'classic' DX members Billy Gunn and Roadogg will not return, meaning a DX resurrection would need new talent.

See http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2006/articles/1145490184.php

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WrestleMania 22

At WrestleMania 22, Michaels used the trademark DX crotch chop in his street fight against Vince McMahon twice (once to a handcuffed Shane and one atop a ladder to a stunned Vince). Later that night, Triple H did the crotch chop to a stunned John Cena. The following night on Raw, Vince told Shawn he had two words for him, but Michaels cut him off and he and the crowd told Vince to "suck it", while holding their arms out in an "X" symbolizing DX. Two weeks later, Michaels, after laying out Vince McMahon, used the crotch chop once again. Speculations have also arisen concerning Edge as a possible member for a new D-Generation X. The 'Rated R Superstar' was seen later that same night on Raw performing 'Road Dogg' Jesse James' old signature move, the "Shake, Rattle and Roll." However, considering that Edge portrays a crazed, paranoid, self-absorbed heel, he would be an unlikely choice to join DX. Another factor that puts the idea of a new DX together, is the fact that Triple H, Edge, and Shawn Michaels all want to be part of the WWE Championship contention. It would be impossible for all three to be champion, considering none would likely settle for the Intercontinental Championship. Seeing as Triple H seems to be at odds with Vince McMahon, a face turn could see HBK and Triple H reforming the group.

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Backlash

At the Backlash press conference the crowd was chanting "DX!" and HBK responded saying "All things are possible to those who believe." Later Triple H faced with the same chants responded "One of us had have to convert for that to happen. One of us is gonna have to switch sides."

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List of Recent References

Recently, there have been many DX references in WWE shows:

  • WrestleMania 22 (2 April, 2006)
    • Shawn Michaels uses the DX crotch chop to Shane McMahon.
    • Shawn Michaels uses the DX crotch chop to Vince McMahon.
    • Triple H uses the DX crotch chop to John Cena.
  • WWE RAW (3 April, 2006)
    • Shawn Michaels and the Chicago crowd tells Vince McMahon to "Suck It".
  • WWE RAW (10 April, 2006)
    • Vince McMahon states that, "Thou shalt not cross thy arms and yell 'Suck It!'" during a promo.
  • WWE RAW (17 April, 2006)
    • Shawn Michaels uses the DX crotch chop to a knocked out Vince McMahon after delivering a Sweet Chin Music.
    • Triple H uses the DX crotch chop in a match against John Cena and Edge
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Members

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Part-time and Unofficial Members

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References

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External links

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