WWE In 1997 | Wrestling Timelines

5. October 13 | D-Generation X

D-Generation X State Of The Union
WWE

The unit of Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Rick Rude and Chyna are officially recognised under the name ‘D-Generation X’ on Raw Is War. They’ve been together on TV a while, acting like obnoxious degenerates and ripping the absolute piss out of onscreen authority figure Sgt. Slaughter, but this is the night where they are officially recognised as the WWF’s answer to the New World Order. DX grab the zeitgeist. They are obnoxious, disruptive, transgressive. This is broadly a euphemism for “they tell d*ck jokes”, but the act is more than a low-brow comedy tight five. The sheer attitude and asshole energy radiating from them is electrifying. It’s not so much the material that works, although their bullying of the timid Michael Cole is the guiltiest of belly laughs: it’s the giddy entitlement with which it’s delivered that makes the act such a sensation. 

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!