By Phil Allely
D-Generation X at their peak were one of the wrestling world’s finest acts and biggest star attractions. Over the years the group has featured such performers as Chyna, Road Dogg, Billy Gun and X Pac (all of which featured in previous DX compilation discs), the leader always being either original frontman Shawn Michaels or his partner in crime Triple H, these days it is a joint deal with both men heading the 2000s version of DX.
This triple DVD set from Silver Vision showcases what must now be considered the factions last WWE hurrah (considering Shawn Michaels retirement) from mid-2009-mid-2010.
It was a slimmed down group this time around, no hangers on or lackeys threatened the limelight of our two headliners and the innuendo although there was some, was less in your face (if you pardon the pun) than previous tenures. This was down to Michaels own religious beliefs and the WWE toning down violence, sexual references etc. in favour of PG-rated output. DX 2009-2010 were a far more entertaining and less forceful team, and yet a frustratingly juvenile combo at the same time. But boy were they popular when they returned to the ring as a unit this incarnation, plus they shifted a heck of an amount of merchandise.
Across these discs we get to see the team reunite as Triple H locates Shawn and brings him back to the WWE. We see their decent feud with Legacy members Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase from its fruition to its end, their hilarious spats with Vince McMahon, Hornswoggle’s appearance as DX mascot and of course throughout the discs the lead pairing of Hunter and Shawn bicker, fight and have some crazy fun.
Alongside the collection of varying quality matches there are some priceless moments including a classic WCW influenced moment with Dusty Rhodes (featuring a guest appearance by Arn Anderson as the voice of the Shockmaster), a Mr McMahon birthday celebration plus much more shenanigans involving the DX posse. There are also skits with (US Price is Right host) Bob Barker, Ozzy osbourne and even boxer Mike Tyson, all of which keep things moving well and the momentum flowing nicely.
From a match point of view there are some nice meetings featured here, apart from the Legacy encounters (the Hell in a Cell match especially stands out due to Michaels performance), there are some fine outings against The Hart Dynasty, combos of Big Show tag teams (partnering Chris Jericho/Chavo Guererro etc.) plus the most memorable moments from this latest instalment of Triple H and Michaels mid-life crisis’.
The afore mentioned Cage match with Legacy is a prime example of just how well The Heartbreak Kid can play the crowd, work with anybody and how he had the unique ability to make anyone he entered the ring with into a star (just proving how much the man will be missed by fans, management and roster alike).
Running at almost 7 hours (standard DVD) and almost 8 hours (Blu-ray) this three disc set does just fall short of the previous D-Generation X DVD offerings (from a match quality point of view), but this does complete their story and for fans old and new does bring this chapter of the DX story to its logical conclusion. Rounding proceedings off is Michael’s emotional farewell from Raw and that really is the only way to do it.
DX – One Last Stand is available now from www.silvervision.co.uk for £29.99 (on both DVD and Blu-ray)
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