D-GENERATION X
In 1997. Shawn Michaels and Triple H joined forces as a tag team. Friends away from the ring, the two had a natural chemistry. Together, they joined forces with Hunter's bodyguard, Chyna, and added an insurance policy in Rick Rude. They called themselves D-Generation X.
Similar to the nWo, DX was a controversial, yet groundbreaking faction, and their motto of "you make the rules, we'll break 'em," summed up the group's attitude. Every week on Raw, the foursome broke as many rules as they could. They made obscene gestures, swore on national TV, raided other Superstar's locker rooms, and told their opposition to "suck it."
Going into WrestleMania XIV, DX, was riding high. Michaels was WWE Champion, Triple H held the European title, and they had just recruited Mike Tyson to serve as the special enforcer for Michaels' title defense against Stone Cold Steve Austin. But 'Mania didn't go as well as they'd planned. Tyson double-crossed DX, awarded Stone Cold the WWE Championship after he had pinned Michaels, and laid the former champ out with a big right hand.
The next night on Raw, Triple H cast aside Michaels, declared himself the new leader of DX and recruited new members in X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws ("Bad Ass" Billy Gunn and "Road- Dogg" Jesse James). This "new-and-improved" DX were as vile and vulgar as the original group, and, in some ways, even more troublesome.
Dressed in military fatigues and armed with tanks and baookas; they launched Operation DX. The group attempted to infiltrate WCW Monday Nitro to confront the company's president, Eric Bischoff, to discuss X-Pac's recent release from WCW.
For nearly a year, the new DX raised hell, but, eventually, the group split up. Chyna and Triple H joined the Corporation and Billy Gunn pursued a singles career; which left just the Road Dogg and X-Pac as its remaining members.Despite several semi-reunions, DX never regained that edge that made them perhaps the hippest group in WWE history.
THE MINISTRY
Initially formed by Undertaker and Paul Bearer, the Ministry was one of the darkest and most sadistic factions ever formed. The Ministry didn't just assault their opponents physically; they tried to destroy them psychologically. At first, Undertaker attacked and captured Phineas Godwinn and Mabel, and used his brainwashing abilities to convert them to the dark- side. Renamed Mideon and Viscera respectively, the two served as 'Taker's personal minions. A short while later, they also recruited Faarooq and Bradshaw, renaming them the Acolytes.
As a group, the Ministry was virtually unstoppable. They thought nothing to attack their foes, string them up on 'Taker's cross-like symbol, and light it on fire. Even the WWE Chairman wasn't safe from the Ministry's reign of terror.
When Undertaker developed a fascination with Stephanie McMahon, he began to stalk the McMahon family. He showed up at their house in Greenwich, Connecticut and sent strange messages to Mr. McMahon. Before long, he made his intentions clear - he wanted to marry Stephanie. Eventually, 'Taker and his posse abducted the "Billionaire Princess," and brought her to the ring on the Deadman's symbol. Had Stone Cold Steve Austin not run down and saved the day, 'Taker would have made Stephanie his bride.
A short while later, Undertaker disclosed that he was taking his mission statements from a greater power. Soon, rumors began circulating about who the mystery leader could be. Fans were shocked when it was revealed that Mr. McMahon was the one pulling the strings. After the startling revelation, the Ministry and the Corporation merged, creating a super-faction known as the Corporate Ministry. As part of a bigger faction, the Ministry remained dominant, but it's darkest days had clearly been left behind.
At the 1998 Survivor Series, everyone considered The Rock the People's Champion. He was the clear favorite to win a tournament for the vacant WWE Championship, but because of his rivalry with Mr. McMahon, the Great One's chances of winning the championship seemed remote at best.
In the title tournament final, The Rock battled Mankind. But instead of Mr. McMahon screwing The Rock, he turned on Foley and helped the Brahma Bull win the title, which forged an alliance that would become known as the Corporation.
Shane McMahon, the Big Boss Man, Shawn Michaels, Ken Shamrock, and the Stooges (Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco) helped form this powerful group, and, in time, Kane, Chyna and Big Show also became members.
Although The Rock was the group's centerpiece as the "Corporate Champion," other members also proudly represented the group. Shamrock won the Intercontinental Championship, Shane McMahon captured the European title, and Boss Man became the Hardcore Champion.
Because Mr. McMahon issued the Corporation's marching orders, the group frequently signaled out Stone Cold Steve Austin and did whatever it took to keep him from regaining the title. WrestleMania XV turned out to be a bittersweet night for the Corporation. While Triple H left DX to join the group, Austin managed to defeat The Rock to become WWE Champion for the third time.
After The Rock failed to regain his title from Austin, he was unceremoniously removed from the group, and Triple H quickly became its new leader. For a while, instead of hunting Austin, the Corporation directed its' attention toward the Ministry, who was threatening Stephanie and Linda McMahon's safety. When Mr. McMahon revealed that he was the mastermind behind the Ministry as well, the groups merged to form the Corporate Ministry.
Headed by the WWE Chairman and his son Shane, the Corporate Ministry had just one goal: destroy Steve Austin. Week after week, the elite group of Superstars attempted to end the Texas Rattlesnake's career, but no matter what they did, Austin prevailed.
Unfortunately for Mr. McMahon, not even his leadership could keep the group's aggressive egos in check, and as different Superstars jockeyed for position, the Corporate Ministry imploded.
EVOLUTION
Evolution is in many ways a combination of the Four Horsemen and D-Generation X. They have the Horsemen's tradition and experience, mixed with DX's attitude and exuberance. Very few can argue the group"s recipe for success, and when you throw in 24 World Championship reigns between just two of their members, Evolution just might be the most successful faction of all.
For the past 18 months, Evolution has dominated Raw like no group in history. They've terrorized all the top competitors and made the rest of the roster's life miserable. And although he recently lost the World Championship to Chris Benoit, Triple H has frequently used Evolution's numbers game to allow him to hang on to his title for months at a time.
Many feel that the only reason Ric Flair and Triple H include Randy Orton and Batista is because they find them to be their two biggest threats, but so far, the group's results have been mutually beneficial. Orton and Batista have gained valuable experience by traveling with and learning from two sports-entertainment legends/
At last year's Armageddon, the 23-year-old Orton captured the Intercontinental Championship, and Batista also had his first taste of WWE gold after he won the World Tag Team Championship with the "Nature Boy."
Still, with these two Superstars coming into their own, it may only be a matter of time before one of these young lions will begin to crave the World Heavyweight Championship.
But until that day comes, Evolution will continue to step over anyone who gets in their way. Unless another group soon bands together to rival them, there's no telling what's in store for Raw.
The only thing that's for certain is that Evolution will go down in history alongside these other great stables as one of the best ever.