All Rise...

If you ain't down with Judge Paul Pritchard, he's got two words for ya!

The Charge

"Are you ready?"

The Case

A staple of the Attitude Era, DX thrilled fans of the WWE with the likes of X-Pac, Chyna, and The New Age Outlaws amongst their number at various times. Heading the group were Triple H and Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, who co-founded the stable in 1997. The group's anti-establishment stance, coupled with supreme technical skills, saw them stand out in the finest era pro wrestling has ever seen. Following a brief return in 2006, Michaels and Triple H gave it one last shot in 2009, finally drawing the curtain on the group when Michaels announced his retirement in March 2010. With such a long and illustrious run, it should be remembered when judging DX: One Last Stand to base any verdict on what it is, rather than what we might prefer it to be. Let's be honest, fans of pro wrestling, and the WWE/F in particular, would much rather have a complete history of D-Generation X. Instead, perhaps in an attempt to milk the cash cow as much as possible, WWE have instead focused this latest release on the short final run of one of wrestling's most influential and entertaining stables.

The first thing that becomes apparent when watching DX: One Last Stand is how watered down this incarnation of DX is in the current PG era of WWE programming. The in-ring skills are as sharp as ever—despite the decade's worth of pummeling their bodies have taken—but the attitude has been toned down to sit with the company's current family focused product. The result of this is a series of just plain goofy skits that see the group reborn as wrestling's version of Abbott and Costello, who also take every opportunity to promote their latest merchandise. What's even more frustrating is having to see these genuine superstars play second fiddle to the likes of John Cena and Randy Orton, who, if we were to be honest, would have been mid-carders during DX's heyday. Oh, and Hornswoggle becoming a member of DX? Really?

These promos and skits, that when used sparingly on Raw and Smackdown are an amusing diversion, prove to be truly annoying when stacked one on top of the other as they are in this set. Disc Three, which is especially heavy on Hornswoggle, is really tiresome, and is perhaps the very reason DVD players come equipped with a skip function. DX: One Last Stand isn't even redeemed by the one area it should excel in: good ol' fashioned wrasslin'!

The matches included in this set are as follows:

• DX vs. Legacy (SummerSlam 2009)
A very good opening bout to kick off this set, the team of Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase form an effective unit, and together with DX, provide an entertaining matchup that sets up a short feud between the two teams.

• DX vs. Chris Masters and Randy Orton (Raw 09/07/2009)
The team of Masters and Orton are thrown together thanks to a spin of guest host Bob Barker's wheel. The problem here is the unbalanced teams. The outcome, which sees two genuine superstars pitted against one superstar (Orton if you weren't sure) and one mid-carder (Masters) is never beyond doubt. That said, in this current age where the likes of Orton and Cena seem indestructible, it's refreshing to see the Viper taste defeat.

• DX vs. Legacy (Hell in a Cell 2009)
A contender for the highlight of the set, this matchup is about as brutal as the current WWE product allows. After some good work from Rhodes and DiBiase, Triple H and Michaels set about dismantling these two young guns, resulting in a battered DiBiase left outside the cage while the two veterans lock themselves inside with a terrified Rhodes.

• DX vs. Jeri-Show (Raw 10/05/2009)
Kick starting the feud that dominates this release, Triple H and HBK take on the Unified Tag Team Champions for the first time.

• DX vs. The Hart Dynasty (Raw 11/23/2009)
The first of two matches against The Hart Dynasty is a forgettable encounter, with neither of the rookies, DH Smith (son of The British Bulldog) or Teddy Kidd giving a good account of themselves, thus limiting the potential of the match.

• DX vs. Jeri-Show (TLC 2009)
Without a doubt, Jericho's face (inadvertently) smacking off a table is the highlight of this otherwise disappointing affair. There's little use of the weapons here, but does mark DX's first capture of the Tag Team Championship.

• DX vs. Jeri-Show (Raw 12/14/2009)
Move along, nothing to see here. Seriously. Just leave it.

• DX vs. The Hart Dynasty (Smackdown 12/25/2009)
Much, much better than their first encounter, DH Smith in particular impresses here, especially with his show of strength that sees him deliver a delayed vertical suplex to Triple H. The veterans come out on top, but only after a good workover by the effective team of Smith and Kidd.

• DX vs. The Big Show and Chavo Guerrero (Raw 12/28/2009)
Nothing more than a slight detour in the feud between DX and Jeri-Show, this match sees Big Show team up with Chavo Guerrero (due to Jericho being consigned to the Smackdown brand). Jericho makes an appearance in the crowd, setting up the final showdown between these two teams.

• DX vs. Jeri-Show (Raw 01/04/2010)
Hardly the climactic showdown these two teams deserved, the match sees the breakup of the Jeri-Show tag team, and Jericho kicked back to Smackdown permanently. Hornswoggle, who by now was a full-fledged member of DX, makes his customary appearance, just to rub salt in the wound.

• DX vs. Chris Jericho and Mike Tyson (Raw 01/11/2010)
Tyson can't wrestle. Fact. And this simple truth means this match is nothing more than a sideshow attraction. Truth be told, most of us are only watching this match to see whether Iron Mike is going to lose it and really spark someone out.

• DX and Hornswoggle vs. The Big Show, The Miz, and John Heder (Raw 01/18/2010)
Heder's Ric Flair inspired entrance is fun, while The Miz is one of the best all round wrestlers out of the current crop of superstars, but this match is a gimmicky main event in truth.

• DX vs. Show-Miz vs. S.E.S. (Raw 02/08/2010)
A less-than-grand finale for the DX tag team, this superstar filled matchup has DX battle the teams of Big Show and The Miz, and the Straight Edge Society (CM Punk and Luke Gallows) for the Unified Tag Team Championship.

The series of matches between DX and the team of Chris Jericho and The Big Show, a.k.a. Jeri-Show, are some of the best on the disc. Jericho is always watchable, being one of the most charismatic performers in the WWE (as well as being one of the better technical wrestlers in the business), and together with the raw power of Big Show forms a tag team worthy of taking on DX. While not all their matches quite reach the heights one would hope (their matchup at the inaugural Tables, Ladders & Chairs PPV being a prime example), they at least stay clear of the stunt casting that hinders the latter matches DX find themselves in. The six-man tag match, which pits DX and Hornswoggle (accompanied to the ring by Don Johnson) against The Miz, Big Show, and John Heder (Napoleon Dynamite) barely gets going, and is memorable only for Heder's OTT entrance. Likewise, Mike Tyson's return to the WWE, which sees him teaming up with Jericho to take on DX, is hindered by the involvement of a non-wrestler. Rather than reaching a rousing crescendo, the final days of DX fall into farce.

Bringing the curtain down is Shawn Michael's farewell speech. There's nary a dry eye in the house as Michaels' confirms his retirement with a heartfelt thank you to the fans and industry that he has been a part of for over twenty years.

Taken from the WWE HD broadcast, picture quality is very good, with a similarly impressive audio track. The sole extra, "DX Unfiltered," sees Michael's and Triple H behind the scene rehearsing with other wrestlers and offering a small insight into how different angles are worked out. At only 4 minutes, it's too short, and really isn't really much of an added bonus.

Overall—thanks in no small part to the incompatibility of Attitude Era-superstars in the PG era—this set is a disappointment. Too many matches fall short of expectations, while the promos that are so prevalent often fall flat. Rather than this sad end to a great stable, fans may be best served waiting for a complete history of DX.

The Verdict

Guilty.

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