D'Generation X: Do You Have What It Takes To Be A Member?
- by Benjamin Welton
- – on
- in Sports
Are you ready?
Most wrestling fans who lived through the WWE's Attitude Era will never forget those words. They were the first words heard before D-Generation X came to the ring.
This stable from the late 1990s not only changed pro wrestling, but also helped to change American culture. After all, D-X gave us the crotch chop taunt and the highly sexual declaration of "Suck it!" D-X was also one of the key players in one of pro wrestling's biggest angles when former boxing heavyweight champion Mike Tyson was named the special guest referee for a world title match between Shawn Michaels and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Over the years, D-X members have been inordinately successful in the WWE. Michaels and Triple H have both had multiple reigns as the WWE world champion, while the New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn and Road Dogg) won the World Tag Team titles on five different occasions and the WWE Tag Team titles once. Other D-X members like X-Pac and Chyna also found success as the WWE Light Heavyweight champion, the WWE Intercontinental Champion, the WWE European Champion, and the WWE Women's Champion.
When it comes to legendary stables, D-Generation X are on top of the mountain alongside greats like The Four Horsemen, The Dangerous Alliance, and the New World Order.
Which one of these wrestlers was not in the original D-X line-up?
D-Generation X is one of the most iconic stables in the history of professional wrestling. Ever since its inception, and through multiple heel and face turns, D-X is synonymous with the WWE, its Attitude Era, and groundbreaking entertainment. When the group debuted on "RAW is WAR," the initial duo of Shawn Michaels and Triple H pushed the boundaries of allowable speech on prime time television. The obviously vulgar group mocked taboos and were the authority-defying stable that fit in perfectly with Generation X.
D-X debuted in what year?
There is almost no consensus when the WWE's Attitude Era started. Officially speaking, the company began using the word "attitude" to describe its product in 1998, but earlier signs and programs pointed the way towards edgier content. In 1996, Brian Pillman pulled a gun on "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. A year later, an irate Bret Hart took over "RAW is WAR" with a profanity-laden tirade against Vince McMahon, The Undertaker, Austin, and Sycho Sid. In the middle of all of this, D-X debuted.
Which wrestler did Triple H recruit from WCW?
Between 1996 and 2000, pro wrestling essentially belonged to a small circle of friends who first found each other in mid-1990s WWE. In WCW, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash maintained their top spots, while Triple H and Shawn Michaels ruled in the WWE. Others floated in both of these orbits, including one WWE and WCW wrestler who managed to find success in both companies. In WCW, this wrestler was a member of the nWo, then, after being fired, he joined D-X in 1998.
True or False: Chyna was Triple H's bodyguard before he joined D-X
In 1997, when the WWE was trying to repackage the character of Hunter Hearst Helmsley, they toyed around with the idea of giving him a bodyguard. According to Triple H himself, Vince McMahon came up with the idea of pairing him with Mr. Hughes, a journeyman bodyguard from WCW. It was Triple H who came up with the idea of having his character protected by an Amazonian woman named Chyna. This proved to be a heart magnate that made the Helmsley more than just the "Connecticut Blue Blood."
Triple H and Chyna first helped Shawn Michaels during his feud with which wrestler?
D-X's formation was the result of multiple factors converging upon one another. In 1997, the babyface Michaels was beginning to show some heel characteristics, including indulging in sarcasm, verbal jabs at Vince McMahon, and some narcissistic behavior. As for Triple H, the "Connecticut Blue Blood" dropped some of his elitist pretensions and became just another chickensh** heel. In late 1997, these two currents joined together when both men zeroed in on a shared enemy--a popular grappler who would later feud with Triple H in 1999 and 2000.
Who did Shawn Michaels defeat in the first ever Hell in a Cell match?
In 1997, Shawn Michaels was the WWE World Champion. He was also the leader of D-Generation X. As such, the "Heartbreak Kid" had multiple feuds with the likes of Bret Hart, Mankind, and The Undertaker. One of these feuds came to a bloody head at "Badd Blood: In Your House." This PPV contained the first ever Hell in a Cell match. This match was considered an instant classic and was awarded a five star rating from wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer.
Triple H became the leader of D-X after which pay-per-view?
Behind the scenes in the WWE, Shawn Michaels was a problem. The pill-addicted superstar was not only impossible to work with, but many of his co-workers were fed up with his politicking. Also, making Michaels' situation more precarious was his serious back injury, which apparently caused HBK to continue eating pills. By 1998, Michaels was indicating that he needed to step away from the ring for a while. After performing the job that helped one superstar to become a legend, HBK left and gave D-X to Triple H.
After he left D-X, Triple H formed what heel stable?
Until 1999, Triple H was at best a midcard wrestler. During the early days of D-X, he was Michaels' sidekick. Then, after Michaels briefly retired from wrestling, Helmsley wrestled for belts like the Intercontinental Championship and the European Championship. It was only when Triple H left D-X that he became a contender for the WWE World Championship. This heel turn, along with the formation of a new and very powerful stable, cemented "The Game" as one of WWE's perennial heavyweight champions.
True or False: an In-Your-House pay-per-view was named after D-X
Younger fans may not recall the fact that the WWE used to run a series of pay-per-views called "In Your House." These events were rarely major PPVs, with most being nothing more than means to develop or continue storylines for more prestigious pay-per-views. However, some "In Your House" PPVs were downright revolutionary. One debuted the Buried Alive match, which pitted Mankind against The Undertaker, while another showcased the first ever Hell in a Cell match. Did "In Your House" create a D-X themed PPV in 1997?
Which D-X member wrestled The Undertaker three times at "WrestleMania"?
Before losing first to Brock Lesnar then to Roman Reigns, The Undertaker was the undisputed master of "WrestleMania." His much celebrated streak saw the "Deadman" win twenty-one matches in a row before finally succumbing to three F-5s. Before that, The Undertaker had legendary matches with the two founding members of D-X, Shawn Michaels and Triple H. He also had a notable feud with Evolution member Batista. Most know that Triple H and Michaels had two matches with The Undertaker, but did one of them wrestle the "Deadman" for a third time at "WrestleMania"?
True or false: Shawn Michaels was the WWF World and Intercontinental champion at the same time
Very few WWE wrestlers have ever held two belts at the same time. The most common double champions are those carry a singles title and a tag team title. However, this is a very small minority of grapplers who have held two singles titles at once. The Ultimate Warrior was briefly the Intercontinental and World champion in 1990, while Kurt Angle once held the European and Intercontinental titles at the same time. In 1997, HBK held two singles titles at once.
A false D-X reunion occurred in 2002 after which pay-per-view?
After the first two iterations of D-X finally disbanded in 2000, the group fractured into separate pieces. Triple H was the most successful of the bunch, especially when he formed the Evolution stable with Batista, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton. In the year 2002, Shawn Michaels returned to the squared circle after a four year absence. He initially joined with the revamped nWo, then, while Triple H was feuding with "RAW" General Manager Eric Bischoff, Michaels briefly rejoined forces with his old partner.
On July 6, 1998, D-X famously mocked what faction?
It may be trite to say this, but this particular promo would never, ever happen today. Not only is the WWE a publicly traded company, and therefore beholden to its stockholders, but the very idea of putting a white wrestler in blackface would cause riots in the streets. The Attitude Era was a different time, and in 1998, D-X generated laughs with their mocking send-up of this heel stable. At the time, the stable in question consisted of older WWE talents and one young gun who would become WWE world champion later that year.
Which former Cruiserweight champion joined D-X in 2009?
Beginning in 2006, D-X reformed on a more permanent basis. Initially, many wrestling fans were enthusiastic about this development. However, unlike the edgy Attitude Era original, this 21-century D-X was PG, sophomoric, and nowhere near as entertaining. The group reached its nadir three years later when their nostalgia act was joined by a WWE superstar who had zero connections to the original incarnation of the group. This move was nothing more than a cheap goof that helped to tank D-X's legacy.
True or false: D-X was the first team to beat The Shield
By any discernible measure, The Shield (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns) was the last WWE stable that meant something. These three men not only cut a swath through the company that helped to boost ratings, but unlike more recent stables, all three members are still main event attractions. During the group's final days, they feuded with WWE COO Triple H. "The Game" and his cronies wrestled The Shield on multiple PPVs before Triple H invoked "Plan B," which saw Rollins turn on his friends.
Which stable did D-X feud with in 2006?
If you need anymore proof that the D-X reunion of 2006 was a disaster, look no further than this feud. Indeed, this rivalry wasn't so much a feud as it was a prolonged burial of younger talents by two older veterans. Despite the age difference between the two acts, D-X routinely beat this stable down, humiliated them with low-brow hi jinks, and even defeated them in order to win the World Tag Team titles. One member of this stable would later be repackaged as Dolph Ziggler.
Which tag team feuded with D-X in 2006?
For years, many WWE critics have accused Triple H of deliberately holding back younger talent or burying those superstars who directly threaten the popularity of his small circle of friends. Helmsley gave plenty of ammunition to this criticisms in 2006 when the hack D-X team dominated segments on "RAW." Also, when D-X feuded with tag teams, many of these teams invariably had some connection back to Triple H. For instance, one member of this team had been in the stable Evolution.
True or false: X-Pac was the only D-X member to ever win a WCW title?
X-Pac was the bridge that linked D-X with the nWo of WCW. When he was known as the 1-2-3 Kid, wrestler Sean Waltman was a tag team specialist who captured gold with Bob Holly and Marty Jannetty. He was also briefly a heel member of Ted DiBiase's Million Dollar Corporation. When he jumped ship to WCW in 1996, he wrestled under the name of Syxx and specialized in WCW's beloved Cruiserweight division. Syxx was also part of The Outsiders, who sometimes invoked the Free Bird rule during their matches.
D-X grew out of what backstage group?
The WWE's New Generation era is often overlooked for many reasons. Its predecessor, the Golden Era, gave the world Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, The Junkyard Dog, Andre the Giant, and The Ultimate Warrior. Its successor, the Attitude Era, is one of the most lionized epochs in the history of professional sports. Many critics claim that one backstage group helped ruin the New Generation era with their inflated egos and extreme behind-the-scenes politicking. This group included later members of D-X and the nWo.
D-X feuded with which faction in 2009?
As bad as the D-X incarnation that appeared on WWE television in 2006, the 2009 version of the group was even more hackneyed than its terrible predecessor. This was the iteration of D-X that was tried in "Little People's Court," and this was the version of D-X that thought it would be a good idea to make Hornswoggle a member. Overall, the only notable thing about this era in D-X history was its feud with a forgettable stable that featured one former member of Evolution.
On April 27, 1998, D-X invaded a WCW show in what city?
This moment is considered one of the turning points in the Monday Night Wars. At the time, WCW's "Monday Night Nitro" was ahead of the WWE's "RAW is WAR" program. WCW had held this position since the inception of the nWo in July 1996. Over the next two years, the WWE struggled to generate ratings even though it had D-X and a bona fide star in Steve Austin. In the spring of 1998, five members of D-X crashed an episode of "Monday Night Nitro" and shocked WCW executives when the WCW crowd outside cheered them.
Which D-X member won the tag team titles with Kane as his partner?
Between 1999 and 2000, D-X underwent a lot of changes. Some members turned heel, while others stayed babyfaces. The New Age Outlaws briefly split up over internal arguments, while Triple H all but abandoned the group in order to become Vince McMahon's hand-picked champion. During this tumultuous period, one D-X member struck up an unlikely friendship with Kane. Not only did this wrestler provoked Kane to speak some of his words on television, but he also led the tag team to championship gold.
D-X defeated which team to become the unified tag team champions in 2009?
In early days of the WWE's PG era, tag teams fought over the World Tag Team titles and WWE Tag Team titles. Most of the time, these belts were held by teams who represented either "Raw" or "SmackDown." Occasionally, some teams managed to hold both belts at the same time. D-X became on of these lucky few teams after they beat the unified champions at the first ever "TLC" pay-per-view in 2009. The dethroned champions were two former WWE world champions.
True or false: the New Age Outlaws did not win their first tag titles until after they joined D-X
Unbeknownst to many modern wrestling fans, the New Age Outlaws were formed when Rockabilly (Billy Gunn) turned on his then manager, The Honky Tonk Man. Rockabilly was driven to this extreme by the "Outlaw" Jesse James, the former manager and roadie for country music star/pro wrestler Jeff Jarrett. This team officially formed in 1997, the same year that the D-X stable came into existence. The New Age Outlaws would not join D-X until 1998. Before then, did Gunn and Road Dogg ever win tag team gold?
Against the wishes of Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter, Michaels let Triple H beat him for which title?
On the Christmas edition of "RAW is WAR," the new stable known as D-Genertation X were forced to fight over a midcard title by WWE General Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter. The match had all the appearances of a legitimate contest until the finish. Michaels took an outlandish bump, then laid down while Triple H pinned him after the weakest big splash in wrestling history. In typical D-X fashion, the duo got the better of Sgt. Slaughter and celebrated afterwards with a ham-y promo.
True or false: D-X re-united on "RAW" in 2012
The biggest story in 2012 was the 1,000th episode of "RAW." Since its first broadcast in 1993, "RAW" has been the flagship program for the WWE. Even today, when most diehard pro wrestling fans consider "SmackDown" to be the superior product, WWE executives continue to put much of their time and energy into "RAW." During the 1,000th episode, many popular wrestlers from the past appeared during the festivities. The night is also memorable for C.M. Punk's heel turn that led to his feud with The Rock.
True or false: Triple H was the first member of D-X to use the signature crotch chop?
D-X is synonymous with the crotch chop taunt. Whether done with hands shaped like a "V" or an "X," this signature move, which almost always comes with the assertion to "Suck it!," is one of the most culturally important things ever produced by D-X. You probably got in trouble in grade school for doing to your friends, and your parents probably told you why you should never do it again. However, did you know that members of the Kliq were doing the crotch chop a full year before the formation of D-X?
Which D-X member helped to name a type of "heat" where fans boo the performer not the character?
The heat in question here describes the process when fans boo the wrestler because they are sick of seeing him or her, not because they portray a heel character. Although such crowd reactions predate the 1990s, the smart fans who first appeared in ECW and the WWE in the 1990s pulled back the curtain on wrestling politics by booing company men and over-pushed talents. This titular heat debuted in the early 2000s when this wrestler formed his own short-lived faction.
A heel D-X feuded with which new stable in 2000?
Before WCW officially closed its doors for good in 2001, many WCW wrestlers jumped ship to the flourishing WWE. Many ECW wrestlers did the same. Because of this new influx of talent, many fans consider 2000 to be the pinnacle of the WWE's Attitude Era and one of the greatest single years in WWE's history. At the time, D-X oscillated between being heels and faces. Some members struck out on their own, while Triple H maintained a spot at the very top of the card.
Which member of D-X appeared on "RAW" and "Monday Night Nitro" on the same night?
The night in question was November 17, 1997. At the time, this wrestler was one of the members of the new D-Generation X stable. When he jumped ship to WCW, he joined with the nWo faction and verbally ran down the WWE, D-X, and Vince McMahon. This legendary moment exposed one of the key differences between WCW and the WWE. At the time, "Monday Night Nitro" was filmed live, while "RAW is WAR" was filmed at least six days in advance.
True or false: No member of D-X ever appeared in the original ECW
While the WWE wants its fans to only think of the Monday Night Wars in terms of WCW versus WWE, there was a third component in this war. Philadelphia's Extreme Championship Wrestling was the first federation that promoted adult content, profane language, and hardcore wrestling in North America. Without question, ECW is what birthed the Attitude Era, for WWE creative liked what they saw in ECW and adopted it for the WWE. Between 1996 and 2001, several WWE and WCW wrestlers went back and forth between the two major companies and ECW.
When D-X reformed in 2006, they had their first major feud with...
It bears repeating again that all D-X reunions since 2006 have been disastrous. The group simply lacked the same spark that it once had, and when WWE went PG in 2008, there was no point in keeping an edgy stable like D-X around. Michaels and Triple H had their first major feud in 2006 with an individual who mocked Michaels' Christian faith and even did a promo wherein he desecrated a church. Overall, this feud was a cheap attempt to recreate the Attitude Era's magic.
Did Team D-X win their match at "Survivor Series" in 2006?
The 2006 installment of "Survivor Series" is famous for one piece of trivia. This pay-per-view provided one of the few instances wherein a survivor series team pinned all of its opponents without losing a single member of their own team. The show featured two survivor series-style matches, once of which pitted Team D-X against Team Rated-RKO. On Team D-X's side were Michaels, Triple H, CM Punk, and the Hardy Boyz. This match has been criticized for its blatant burial of young talent from the WWE's ECW brand.
Which D-X members won the right to the stable's name at "Fully Loaded" in 1999?
In late 1999, WWE creative decided that D-Generation X needed an image update. They solved this problem by breaking the group up into factions. On the one hand, this allowed Triple H to enter into the main event scene and become the company's hand-picked world champion. On the other hand, it allowed for some D-X members to become singles wrestlers, some to become members of a new heel stable, and for others to remain in the stable as popular babyfaces.
True or false: Only one member of D-X has won the King of the Ring tournament
The last WWE King of the Ring was "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. In 1996, Austin not only defeated Jake "The Snake" Roberts in order to win the tournament, but he also cut his famous "Austin 3:16" promo right after the victory. Few know that Triple H was supposed to win this tournament, but he was still in the dog house after taking part in the infamous "Curtain Call" at Madison Square Garden. Even fewer know that Billy Gunn won the tournament in 1999.