It was a unit unlike anything that had ever been seen in the history of sports-entertainment. It was a unit unlike anything likely to be seen again.
It was D-Generation X, a faction of extremely talented Superstars who brought a level of edgy entertainment to WWE, the effects of which are still being felt to this day. Fans who watched WWE during the late 1990s still reminisce about their outrageous antics.
Just as abruptly as the group formed in late 1997, it disappeared two years later, leaving legions of fans wondering just what happened.
In an era where moving forward is what it's all about, WWE moved on without looking back. Some of the former members of DX went on to bigger and better things, and others didn't. As for the fans, they'll always have the memories.
"It was so innovative," says Shawn Michaels, the man around whom the group was originally built. "We changed the direction of where WWE was going. I actually believe that. We brought a big dose of reality to it. We were doing the reality stuff long before reality TV became the fad. D-Generation X is where it started. We took it to a whole new level."
There can be no question about that. As WWE entered a crucial phase of it's history, developing the era of "Attitude" along the way, D-Generation X quickly became a major part of the movement-both a result of it and a defining cause.
It all sprang from the behind-the-scenes friendship between Shawn Michaels and Triple H, which had existed long before they ever got together on TV. While making a personal appearance on one of WWE's "WrestleVessel" ocean cruises in 1997, the two started talking about doing something together.
"At the time, Hunter really wasn't getting a chance to show what a great personality he has," Michaels says. "We just started talking about that, and about how things we talk about in the dressing room are entertaining. That was the genesis of it, and we went to WWE with the idea, about letting us get together and do a lot of the same humorous stuff we do in the dressing room and on the road."
And that's exactly what Triple H and Shawn began to do on TV, flanked by Hunter's "bodyguard," the massive and silent Chyna. They dubbed themselves D-Generation X after Bret "Hit Man" Hart blasted them on the air as "a bunch of degenerates." The group quickly began turning heads with a brand of humor that had never been mixed with wrestling before.
With the war between Stone Cold Steve Austin and Vince McMahon running on all cylinders leading into Wrestlemania XIV, the rise of DX added to the atmosphere of chaos and mayhem that was energizing WWE.
The movement was so powerful that when Michaels was forced into retirement at Wrestlemania XIV, DX did not lose any steam.
It only grew stronger.
On the Raw after Wrestlemania XIV, Triple H introduced three new members to the group. The newly crowned World Tag Team Champions, the New Age Outlaws-composed of "Badd Ass" Billy Gunn and "Road Dogg" Jesse James-signed up. And, in a major shocker, DX recruited Sean "X-Pac" Waltman, who mere weeks before had been a member of the nWo in WCW.
"My leaving was not something that happened at the last minute," Michaels says, "I knew I was leaving. Part of the DX idea was to bring Hunter to where he deserved to be. Hunter was going to be successful anyway, but he wasn't getting a fair shake at the time-one of the reasons was because he was my friend. One of the reasons we wanted to get together was to allow him to have that opportunity to display the ability he had-ability that was not being utilized to the fullest. When I left, the purpose of that was for him to take it to the next level and become the centerpiece of that group. I was thrilled for their success. I thought what we did was awesome, but what they did was better."
As the months went on, DX soared to it's greatest heights, becoming must-see material on Raw every week. Triple H became Intercontinental Champion and started a rivalry with The Rock that would see them both reach new levels in their respective careers. X-Pac became European Champion and battled Shane McMahon. And the New Age Outlaws won more World Tag Team Titles than any team in WWE history at the time.
Yet, 1999 would prove to be the death of D-Generation X. Triple H and Chyna became members of Vince McMahon's Corporation, the New Age Outlaws split up, and before long the members were even warring in the ring against each other. Later in the year, a short-lived reunion took place, but it wasn't the same. By the dawning of the new millenium, the time of D-Generation X was officially over. Just like that, one of the most revolutionary forces ever to emerge in WWE was gone without a trace.
"Every guy has in his heart of hearts a desire to be the main guy," Michaels says. "Most guys get into this line of work with the intention of seeing if they can go to that level that only a few people are capable of. Hunter had that ability. But you can't go there as a group. It's like a movie. Why does it have to end? It just does. So many people ask why we don't go back and do it again. But we're not very big sequel guys. We're about forging ahead, we're about reinventing ourselves, breaking new ground. That's how we came up with DX, to be innovative. To go back to DX would be exciting, but it's not innovative.
"From a money standpoint, sure, a reunion of DX would mean big money," Michaels continues. "But strangely enough, this is not all about money for a lot of us. We're into building something great and having fun doing it, that's what we enjoy."
One former DX member who had no trouble reinventing himself was Triple H. As Michaels had hoped, Triple H was able to emerge from the DX experience as "The Game," becoming one of the most successful Superstars in WWE history. He surged to main event level, winning 10 World titles to date and even forming another dominant faction, Evolution. Michaels himself returned to active competition in 2002 and enjoyed a career renaissance that continues to this day.
Other members of DX had more trouble rekindling the spark they had once had. Joanie "Chyna" Laurer went on to distinguish herself in competition with male Superstars, and even became Women's Champion in 2001. However, she later departed WWE due to a money dispute. She took a shot at a career in rock music, and most recently, her exploits could be witnessed on a reality TV show.
X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn all continued on in WWE for some years with varying degrees of success, but, one by one, they all disappeared. The most recent to go was Gunn, who had been a part of WWE for 12 years, longer than anyone but Undertaker.
D-Generation X was ahead of it's time, and like with so many other things that are described in that way, it may be something that can never be recaptured. Perhaps-as Shawn Michaels himself says-it shouldn't be. WWE is indeed all about looking ahead to the future, but at the same time, there would be no future without the past, and specifically without the kind of innovation that DX represented. Without a doubt, it will stand for all time as a true landmark in popular culture.
Sidebar: The Members of DX Speak:
Six years ago in Raw Magazine, the remaining members of DX were given the chance to give their comments on the recent breakup of the group. Here's what they had to say at that time:
Triple H - "For us, DX was something we believed in and something as a group we enjoyed doing. On the other hand, [the breakup] was a great opportunity for me to break away and do stuff on my own and make a name for myself without others around me."
Chyna - "People really don't like change. It was comfortable and a happy thing and a cool thing and people liked that. People wondered why we were breaking up a good thing. It was time. It's a nerve-wracking experience because you wonder when you step out of something that good, there's a 50/50 chance you could fall or rise."
X-Pac - "It was kind of a weird feeling after having so much fun with it. All of us were very close. We had a great bnd. It was kind of a special thing."
Road Dogg - "It was such a good thing - it was hot and the people loved it so much. I would have hated to go too long and let it die down, but I don't think it was ready to die yet."
Billy Gunn - "I thought it ran it's course. To me, what what more could DX accomplish that it hadn't already done? What else could Road Dogg and I have done as a tag team? There's only so many times you can win the Tag Team title.Face it, we did everything you could possibly do."
Sidebar #2: Unforgettable - DX's Greatest Moments
Moon Over Massachusetts (12/22/97): After being forced to wrestle eachother, DX allies Shawn Michaels and Triple H mock the powers that be by revealing their posteriors with the words "Merry X-Mas" written on them.
Baddest Man on the Planet (3/2/978): DX reveals that "Iron" Mike Tyson, set to be the enforcer referee for Michaels' match with Stone Cold Steve Austin at Wrestlemania XIV, has joined their group. Tyson winds up double-crossing HBK at the event.
A New Era (3/3/98: After Michaels goes into retirement following Wrestlemania XIV, Triple H reveals the newest members of DX - the brand new World Tag Team Champions, the New Age Outlaws, as well as Sean "X-Pac" Waltman, just retirned from WCW.
The Invasion (5/11/98): With Raw in Atlanta, DX takes the opportunity to stage an "invasion" of WCW's corporate head quarters in the CNN Center.
Rogue Nation (7/6/98): Embroiled in a bitter war with the Nation, a rical faction in WWE at the time, DX parodies the group. Triple H became "The Crock" (a mockery of The Rock), while X-Pac, ROad Dogg and Billy Gunn lampoon Mark Henry, D'Lo Brown and Kama, respectively.