D-Generation X (also known as D-X or DX) was a faction in the WWE (then WWF) from 1997 to 2000. The group was formed in late 1997 when real-life friends Michael Hickenbottom (wrestling as Shawn Michaels) and Paul Levesque (then wrestling as Hunter Hearst Helmsley) started teaming together in the ring. Along with Helmsley's 'bodyguard' Joanie Laurer (wrestling as Chyna) and Michaels' "insurance policy", Rick Rude (Rick Rude left shortly after for WCW), they formed 'D-Generation X'.

The group was a major change from the World Wrestling federation's previous "family-friendly" image: they would make obscene gestures, swear on television and tell opponents to "suck it". They used the motto "You make the rules, and we'll break 'em." The group drew a lot of heat from the fans. 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.

DX army

On March 29th, 1998, the WWE held WrestleMania XIV, its annual flagship event. Shawn Michaels was the WWF Champion, Triple H (Levesque's new persona) 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. The next night, Triple H declared himself to be the new leader of DX. He recruited X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws, a tag team of the Road Dog and Billy Gunn, to form a new DX. X-Pac, who had just been signed from WCW, cut a promotional interview where he responded to then-WCW wrestler Hulk Hogan's live interview that alluded to X-Pac's recent release from WCW.

The "new and improved" DX were just as antisocial as the first version, becoming extremely popular and eventually turning face. During this time, they would be involved in several memorable storylines and skits - including a feud with the rival Nation of Domination and a video package where they raided Atlanta, Georgia, the home of WCW. For about a year, D-Generation X stayed together. Triple H and Chyna went to join Vince McMahon's 'Corporation', and Billy Gunn pursued a singles career. The only remaining members were Road Dogg and X-Pac.

The end of an era

In late 1999 the group reformed to include all original members except for Shawn Michaels and Rick Rude. From then until mid-2000 DX 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 angle involved him getting thrown out of DX 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-DX", (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".

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) to take on the faction Right to Censor in an 8-man tag team match which DX won. The match included Triple H doing his old DX entrance as well as telling the crowd to "suck it!". It was the symbolic end to D-Generation X.

In 2002, on the episode of RAW after the breakup of nWo, Shawn Michaels and Triple H entered the ring to DX music. However, this did not last as Triple H turned on Michaels; he had teased a DX reunion as a ploy to appease Michaels and lure him to the ring before giving him a Pedigree and starting a long feud between the two.

References

• Obsessed With Wrestling. Retrieved 2/24/2005.