In the late 90s, during the onset of the Attitude Era, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna formed WWE’s most entertaining and controversial group, Degeneration X. The group then expanded as they took in more members such as Road Dogg, Billy Gun, and X-Pac. DX was instrumental in popularizing WWE from the inception of the Attitude Era. As years went by, the faction was reduced to just Shawn Michaels and Triple H. With the dawn of the Ruthless Aggression Era, all stable mates went their separate ways. However, Michaels and The Game reunited in 2006 and started DX once again.
After their reunion, DX feuded with the McMahons, Spirit Squad, and many others. However, during this time, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn weren’t a part of WWE anymore as they had become mainstay names in TNA.
In addition to that, the duo’s friendship with Triple H had deteriorated for unknown reasons to the point that Triple H was afraid that they would assault him during one of WWE’s house shows. A former WWE superstar recalled when Triple H assigned him and his partner as his bodyguards.
Trevor Murdoch recalls Triple H asking him and Lance Cade for protection from the New Age Outlaws
Trevor Murdoch and Lance Cade were active in WWE from 2005 to 2008. With an ongoing impressive run in WWE during this time, the duo had established themselves as a dominant tag team having won the Raw Tag Team Championship three times.
During an edition of Desert Island Graps, Murdoch recalled the time when there was a real-life heat between The New Age Outlaws and Triple H so much that The Game asked for Murdoch and Cade’s help to fend off Billy Gun and Road Dogg.
Tonight we celebrate 25 years of #DX, 1 of the most influential groups to shape the Attitude Era & change @WWE forever. And if you’re not down with that we’ve got 2 words for ya…#SeasonPremiere!😜 Are you ready, Brooklyn? #WWERaw inside @barclayscenter starts tonight at 8pm EST! pic.twitter.com/nXrG1zuxK0
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) October 10, 2022
According to Murdoch, he was doing a house show in the same town as The Outlaws were doing an autograph signing. Murdoch heard through the grapevine that the duo will be making an appearance and jumping Triple H as he made his way to the ring. Murdoch stated that if they assaulted Triple H, fans would believe that it was kayfabe and that it would all look “cool”.
Murdoch then remembered being approached by Triple H as he asked for his and Cade’s help.
D-Generation X is going into the WWE Hall of fame. Shawn Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and Chyna.#HOF #WWEHOF #WWE #DX pic.twitter.com/dCEFo7jLSK
— Mat Men Pro Wrestling Podcast 🎙 (@Matmenpodcast) February 18, 2019
“I want you guys at the curtain and I want you watching my whole match. The minute you see those guys, you hit that f**king ring, and you proceed to start kicking their f**king ass.” Murdoch quoted Triple H.
RoadDogg and Billy Gunn old school DX pic.twitter.com/x3p7RnApXw
— caseyanjustin12@gmai (@caseyanjustin12) January 18, 2015
Understanding the seriousness of the situation, Murdoch and Cade agreed to protect Triple H, however, thankfully, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg never showed up. Had they shown up and assaulted Triple H, they would have done something they would regret to this day.
The New Age Outlaws returned to WWE in 2012
In 2012, Billy Gun and Road Dogg returned to WWE for a special appearance on the 1000th edition of Monday Night Raw. The duo reunited with their DX stablemates on the same night. It was clear that the water was under the bridge at this point.
The New Age Outlaws continued to make several appearances and even had a Tag Team Championship title run after defeating the Rhodes brothers in 2014 at the Royal Rumble PPV event. The duo later dropped their titles to the Usos at WrestleMania 30. Road Dogg is currently signed to WWE as the Senior Vice President of Live Events and Billy Gunn is signed to AEW as a wrestler coach.
Stephanie arranges a match for the WWF Tag Team Titles between champions The New Age Outlaws, and the team of Triple H and Test. This proves to be a setup as well; Triple H would turn on Test and attack him, and soon Stephanie, Road Dogg, and Billy Gunn would join in. pic.twitter.com/2kCfPAjCBL
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) December 13, 2017
I used to love intros like this…
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages: D-Generation X proudly brings to you its soon-to-be/WWF Tag Team Champions of the World! The Road Dogg Jesse James, The Bad Ass Billy Gunn: the New Age Outlaws!#WWF #WWE #WCW pic.twitter.com/5H5OqyLzx5
— Christopher, Son of John (@Harleyriders76) September 15, 2019
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