Months in the making and hyping, the return of DX was the focal point of this week on Raw and the Vengeance PPV on 6/25 in Charlotte.
The show was based around HHH and Shawn Michaels running amok with Vince and Shane McMahon gone due to Michaels making a prank phone call saying Stephanie was about to give birth. We had the whole routine, with minis dressed as the Spirit Squad, cheerleaders wearing bras with DX on it, and far too much male ass. The show was funny as hell. The return was over as hell. The TV was reminiscent of the glory days of the promotion, and as DX, both guys who have been on top forever, suddenly seemed refreshed as characters.
The question is, for how long. In 1997, when Michaels, HHH and Chyna formed DX, with the unique video spliced with live footage ring entrance, I don’t want to overstate it and say they were responsible for the balance of power switching. They weren’t but they were a huge secondary piece of the puzzle behind the Vince McMahon-Steve Austin dynamic. In 1997, Nitro, at least as far as TV rating were concerned, was killing Raw.
Tony Khan was willing to allow Billy Gunn to appear at the 25-year Anniversary of D-Generation X recently, but only if WWE would acknowledge that he worked for AEW.
Road Dogg recently commented on the situation, stating that it “broke his heart” that Gunn was not included in the special October 10 edition of WWE Raw. He also noted that at one point, Gunn was confident he would be able to be there.
Our own Dave Meltzer reported in Friday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that WWE was not willing to mention that Gunn was an AEW talent on-air in exchange for his appearance.
“Khan agreed to let him do to the show but on the air they would have to mention he’s from AEW, or that AEW allowed him to appear or some wording, but there had to be one mention that in some form he works for AEW, just as WWE already did when they got Mickie James for the Royal Rumble this past year. WWE stalled on the yes or no, and then at the last minute would not agree to it,” Meltzer wrote.
Gunn did appear at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in 2019 while under contract to AEW. Other AEW talent has also been permitted to appear on WWE programming in the past as well including Paul Wight, Bryan Danielson, and Chris Jericho submitting videos for John Cena’s 20-year WWE Anniversary. Jericho also appeared on an episode of The Broken Skull Sessions with Steve Austin on the WWE Network last year.
Billy Gunn believed he would be part of D-Generation X’s 25-year anniversary in WWE.
Triple H, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac, and Road Dogg closed out the October 10, 2022 episode of WWE Raw celebrating the Hall-of-Fame faction. AEW’s Billy Gunn was not in attendance, however, and according to comments made by Road Dogg on his ‘Oh… You Didn’t Know’ podcast, he wasn’t happy about it.
“It broke my heart, and I believe it broke his too,” Road Dogg said. “In all actuality, Hunter was not happy about it either. Shawn and X-Pac weren’t either. We wanted the band, all that we could get back together. Chyna is there in spirit. That didn’t happen. From what I understand, and I’m not in those inner circles anymore, and for my sanity rightfully so and thankful. I don’t know the exact reason, but I was told everything that we could do was done, and we couldn’t come together.”
“During the day prior, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you going to be able to make it? Have you found out any answers yet?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m in.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s awesome.’ Literally, before I landed at home, I found out he was not in. I texted him back and he wasn’t happy either. It just didn’t work, no matter what. I understand. Whatever. I understand we’re [AEW and WWE] not huge fans of each other from a business standpoint. It was a big deal, and I feel like he got ripped off and didn’t live it with us. I’m sorry for that. I know he is too,” he said.
Billy Gunn and Road Dogg officially joined D-Generation X on the Raw after WrestleMania in 1998. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman returned to WWE on the same day and also joined the faction.
Date: October 10, 2022 Location: Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York
The Big Takeaway —
Despite some returns and special appearances, this was a remarkably by-the-numbers edition of Raw.
Show Recap —
Shawn Michaels, Road Dogg and X-Pac were in Gorilla Position in DX gear asking each other if they were ready. They then pointed off-screen to Triple H to ask if he was ready. The camera panned to Hunter who was wearing a suit and had a headset on.
Hunter told them to have fun but to be careful because they can’t do what they used to. He warned them not to swear too. They took turns swearing, some of which were censored. Michaels asked who left out four cocks. They cut to four toy roosters. Michaels, Road Dogg, and X-Pac left, so I guess the reunion is later.
Corey Graves welcomed us to Raw and introduced our new play-by-play announcer, Kevin Patrick. They ran down Raw and said we would relive the return of Bray Wyatt last night (so he may not necessarily be appearing tonight).
The Bloodline segment
Roman Reigns and the Bloodline entered. Reigns said you’re always looking ahead when you’re the greatest of all time. His dad always taught him that the loudest in the room was always the weakest in the room. Sami Zayn suddenly looked concerned but Reigns actually singled out Jey Uso.
Zayn interrupted and the crowd chanted for him. Zayn wanted to handle Jey on Reigns’ behalf. Reigns chuckled and said, “he really is the honourary Uce.” Reigns gladly allowed him to continue.
Zayn spoke to Jey who did his best to ignore him. Zayn told Jey that his behaviour of late hasn’t been very “Us-y.” The crowd chanted “Us-y” and Jimmy Uso was amused. Zayn got the crowd to chant for Jimmy and Solo Sikoa. Jimmy was having fun with it but Sikoa remained stoic. Zayn told Jey he needs to be cool like the rest of them.
Jey looked through Zayn and asked Reigns if he was ribbing him. Reigns basically blew him off because this was Zayn’s segment.
Matt Riddle interrupted. Riddle let us know that he beat Seth Rollins in the fight pit. He knew that there was a stipulation that he couldn’t fight Reigns again for the title but his argument for a title match was “come on, bro.” He got the crowd into it. Reigns said no.
Riddle said maybe another member of the Bloodline should fight him. The crowd chanted for Sami so Jey told him he should do it. They got into a petty argument until Zayn challenged Riddle and he accepted.
(Zayn was good here but this wasn’t much of a segment.)
********
There was an Extreme Rules recap video where they showed quick highlights from every match. They often show video packages, of course, but this was something a little bit different. (They didn’t show Wyatt’s return.)
Johnny Gargano defeated Austin Theory (8:50)
Theory controlled through an early break after suplexing Gargano onto the apron. Theory applied the Gargano Escape but Gargano escaped and applied the Gargano Escape but Theory escaped and hit a superkick. Gargano came back with his own superkick and a suicide dive into a DDT followed by One Final Beat for the pinfall win.
********
Uli Latukefu from ‘Young Rock’ was shown at ringside.
Rey Mysterio defeated Chad Gable (w/Otis) (7:47)
Rey and Gable could have a killer match but this was just meant to give Rey a decisive win.
Rey took control just in time for Rhea Ripley and Dominik Mysterio to enter ahead of a commercial break. (Ripley wore a makeshift “BETH” armband as if Beth Phoenix was dead.) Rey went for a dive which was caught by Otis but Rey slipped away and drove him into the ring post. Rey then gave Gable a 619 and springboard splash for the pinfall win.
— After the match, Dominik wanted Rey to hit him. Rey instead fought off the rest of Judgment Day. Rey went for a 619 (on Damian Priest, I think) but Dom clotheslined him.
Dom once again implored Rey to hit him. Rey went to leave so Dom shoved him from behind. Ripley held Rey against the ropes so that Dom could hit a 619. Dom stood over Rey as they abruptly went to break.
[SECOND HOUR]
After a break, they showed a video of Rey crying on the apron as Dom looked on.
Judgment Day segment
They bragged about Finn Bálor’s win over Edge at Extreme Rules. Bálor said he pissed on our parade and had other members of Judgment Day remind us that he got Edge to say “I quit.” Bálor wanted to remind us what happened so they played a very long video package of the match. Dom tried to speak but he basically gets the Vickie Guerrero treatment.
Bálor moved on to AJ Styles but didn’t speak long until Styles interrupted. Styles couldn’t believe their long friendship was coming down to this. Bálor was about to speak but Styles told him he wasn’t there to argue. Styles said Bálor was right. Everything he needed was right in front of him. He knew that what he need were friends and family.
Styles got to a knee in front of Bálor before they hugged. Bálor was thrilled. Styles told him, “I wasn’t talking about you.”
Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows entered. They joined with Styles. The crowd chanted, “holy shit.” Gallows punched Dominik and the two sides brawled. Styles, Gallows and Anderson almost got Bálor to themselves but he managed to escape.
(I don’t know if it’s just me or the crowd mixing, but it’s hard to get a gauge of this crowd so far. Dom legitimately did get good heat and the crowd popped for Styles. They also seemed happy that Gallows and Anderson returned with Styles. But there’s been some weird noise otherwise.)
*********
Byron Saxton had a sit-down interview with Damage CTRL. He asked Bayley a question but Dakota Kai answered instead. Kai told Saxton that she was at rock bottom before Bayley lifted her up. IYO SKY said something in Kai’s ear. Kai said they would do anything for Bayley and she would get the gold she deserved. Bayley said she would kick Candice LaRae’s ass tonight.
********
Reigns, Heyman and Sikoa were about to leave the arena before Jey approached Reigns because he wanted to discuss something with him. Reigns basically said there was nothing to discuss because he wanted to explore New York and it was Jey’s job to make sure Zayn won tonight. Jey wondered about Sikoa but Reigns said Sikoa was with him tonight. Reigns, Heyman and Sikoa left in the car together. Jey seemed annoyed.
********
Candice LeRae defeated Bayley (6:08)
They had a normal match that went through a break and LeRae picked up the sudden surprise win with a rollup.
— Kai and SKI ran out after to attack LeRae so Bianca Belair ran out to make the save but the numbers game was too much and Damage CTRL laid them out. Bayley gave Belair an elbow drop onto Belair’s title belt.
(There seemed to be a lot of fake booing here.)
********
Maryse gave Miz a birthday gift. It was a baseball bat.
The Miz’s birthday party
Miz was excited upon realizing his baseball bat was signed by the best home run hitter in baseball, José Ramírez — not Aaron Judge. There was a table set up with gifts so Maryse told him to grab one. He did, but when he lifted it off the table, Dexter Lumis’s head popped up through the table.
Miz put the gift box over Lumis’ head but Lumis appeared in the ring anyway moments later. Lumis tried to choke out Miz but Miz escaped, after accidentally pushing Maryse into the cake. Miz and Maryse both escaped before Lumis used a knife to grab a piece of cake.
This felt like a complete waste of time.
*******
Michaels, Road Dogg, and X-Pac hyped up two jobbers in the back before they were approached by Miz and Maryse who complained about Lumis. Road Dogg suggested Miz face Lumis next week and if he loses, Lumis would get his balls. Miz accepted. (I don’t think the balls thing was an official stipulation.)
********
1-on-2 handicap match: Omos (w/MVP) defeated two jobbers (1:18)
Omos beat two guys and laid them out afterwards with tree slams.
[THIRD HOUR]
They replayed the entire Bray Wyatt return segment from Extreme Rules.
********
Bobby Lashley entered for his title match. Lashley reminded us that he’s beaten Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns, and Brock Lesnar. He was ready for Seth Rollins and called him out.
Brock Lesnar return
Lesnar entered instead of Rollins. Lesnar wore blue jeans and a jean jacket. Lesnar was in a good mood and seemed happy to see Lashley. That was before he suplexed Lashley and gave him consecutive F5s. The crowd chanted, “welcome back.” Lesnar put Lashley in a Kimura before letting go. Lesnar put his cowboy hat on and left.
Seth Rollins entered after a break as officials checked on Lashley. Rollins’ midsection was taped up. Rollins got on the mic and tried to egg Lashley on. The line that got him was when Rollins said, “I thought you were supposed to be a soldier.” Lashley limped back toward the ring and told them to start the match.
Seth Rollins defeated Bobby Lashley to win the United States Championship (2:30)
Lashley went for a spear immediately but Rollins countered into a Pedigree for a nearfall. Rollins followed with a frog splash for a nearfall. Lashley hit a spear but was too hurt to capitalize. Rollins hit a series of strikes and a stomp for the pinfall win. Rollins celebrated with his belt as they quickly went to break.
— Saxton approached Lashley for an interview after the break. Lashley was pissed. He challenged Lesnar to show up on Raw next week to prove he was nothing but a bitch.
********
There was a spooky Bray Wyatt video, so they aren’t done teasing stuff. (There was also an ad teasing him for Friday’s Smackdown but it didn’t explicitly say he would be there.)
Elias returns next week.
********
Matt Riddle defeated Sami Zayn (w/The Usos) (16:15)
After ten minutes and a break, Jey tried to get involved but Zayn told him not to which led to Riddle getting the upper hand ahead of another break.
They wrestled back and forth following the break until Riddle hit an RKO for the pinfall win. (Jey prevented Jimmy from getting involved moments before this.)
********
As Riddle exited, DX entered with about seven minutes left in the show.
D-Generation X anniversary celebration
Road Dogg did his usual intro (while referring to them as “geriatric-X”) and had the crowd sing Billy Gunn’s part. Corey Graves said the other guy (Gunn) was doing something with office supplies (scissors) at the moment.
Triple H wondered who was with them 25 years ago when they started and a significant portion of the crowd applauded. Hunter and Michaels did their usual schtick and Michaels implored the crowd to put them out of their misery if they were doing this in another 25 years. He led the crowd in a “you suck” cheer and that was that.
An anniversary celebration for D-Generation X is being advertised for next month.
The October 10 edition of WWE Raw will take place in the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. On Friday, the venue posted to social media that WWE will celebrate 25-years of DX on the show.
BROOKLYN! The DX 25th Anniversary Celebration is set to take place at @wwe Monday Night RAW on October 10!🔥
Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, X-Pac and Chyna were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as DX in 2019. Triple H was recently promoted to WWE’s chief content officer. Shawn Michaels also received a promotion and is now the company’s SVP of talent development creative. Road Dogg was recently hired back by WWE and is now senior VP of live events as well.
D-Generation first began to form in August of 1997. The original team consisted of Michaels, Triple H, Rick Rude and Chyna. Rude would leave the faction that November and defected to WCW where he joined the NWO. Mike Tyson would also be affiliated with the group in the build to WrestleMania XIV. On the “Raw after WrestleMania” that year, X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws were revealed as the newest members of the group.
WWE has finally made their first official announcement for this year’s Hall of Fame class.
After an advertisement about the news went around overnight, WWE announced via ESPN today that D-Generation X will be inducted into their Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 35 weekend. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and X-Pac will be the six D-X members going into the Hall of Fame.
“I think it’s the most meaningful for us all to go in together and to be recognized together,” Triple H told ESPN about both versions of D-X going into the Hall of Fame. “Because I think both groups were [just] as impactful.”
This will be Michaels’ second induction and the first for Triple H, Chyna, Road Dogg, Gunn, and X-Pac.
Chyna is being posthumously inducted nearly three years after her death. Triple H spoke to ESPN about her joining the Hall of Fame: “It’d be tough to pick a female that was more impactful on the business. She did something that was completely so out of left field that it wasn’t even being considered when we first brought it up for her to come in. It wasn’t even a consideration… it wasn’t an easy thing, and against all odds she did all of that. She earned everybody’s trust. She won over the fans. She won over the boys. She did all of it.”
“From that standpoint, absolutely 100 percent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and should probably be more than once — as a group, but individually as well,” Triple H said. “There’s more complexity to that than meets the eye, but here we are. I’m just happy that it’s here. I’m happy for her family, the people that she was close to, that hopefully this is super meaningful to them. I know it would be to her. It’s a great thing — very deserving.”
It was announced last month that Gunn is working as a producer for All Elite Wrestling.
Rick Rude, who was part of WWE’s Hall of Fame class of 2017, isn’t going in again with D-X.
The D-X name was most recently used on WWE television when Triple H & Michaels teamed against The Undertaker & Kane at Crown Jewel in November 2018.
This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 6. Tickets will go on sale this Friday (February 22) at noon Eastern time.
