WWE Date in History: Move over NwO, Degeneration-X Has Arrived!

The date was August 11, 1997, Monday Night RAW is WAR was still being taped, allowing WCW to kick butt in ratings.

As the evening drew on, one event led to the build up of something special for later that evening. 

During the show, Shawn Michaels came out to the ring for an interview with Jim Ross. As the interview drew on, Michaels called out then WWE commish Sgt. Slaughter. 

Needless to say, things got heated and Slaughter announced a match pitting HBK against Mankind. Michaels fired back and assured he would have an "insurance policy" to gain a victory.

That policy came in the form of Rick Rude, Chyna and current WWE "COO" Triple H.  A few months later, Rude abandoned ship and headed to WCW. Hence, becoming the only man to appear on both RAW and Nitro during the same night.

It should be noted that the "official" Degeneration-X name was not given until October of that year. However, August 11th marks the official date that this duo would form and eventually help take down WCW and the NwO in the "Monday Night Wars."

During their run as D-X, both Michaels and Helmsley were very successful. Each held a singles title, Michaels held the WWE, while Hunter held the European title.

However, Hunter's European title victory came at the hands of his D-X mate, as Michaels held both the WWE and European title at the same time.

The match happened during RAW, in November, as Sgt. Slaughter forced the duo to square off for the title.

This bout portrayed the duo as goofballs and in a 40-second squash match Triple H would be victorious.

D-X was not only infamous for their in-ring ability, but for their debauchery and over-the-top promo work.

This version of D-X would eventually dissolve after WrestleMania 14, as Michaels dropped the WWE title to a rising star named "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

The next evening, Triple-H would announce himself as leader of the group and add new members X-Pac and The New Age Outlaws. Together, this foursome with Chyna in tow would help the WWE dominate WCW.

The biggest difference between the NwO and D-X was not only talent, but  numbers. After Triple H took over and added three members, they never let the group get bigger than that.

This allowed each member to shine in their own way and gave each of them equal time on TV.

The NwO continued to grow with more and more wrestlers added almost weekly. This gave Hogan and company the chance to stay on top. Ultimately, giving others a "role" that was popular didn't really do anything for their career.

So here's to D-X, Happy 14th Anniversary!!