ImmortalWizard (talk | contribs) Undid revision 889121216 by STATicVapor (talk) not everything was removed blantly. If you want, add them back one at a time Tag: Undo |
STATicVapor (talk | contribs) Reverted 1 edit by ImmortalWizard: You removed 35,000 bytes of content from the article. WP: BRD, you cannot just restore your bold change. Revert again I am taking this to ANI. (TW) Tag: Undo |
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| occupation = Actor, professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, bodybuilder |
| occupation = Actor, professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, bodybuilder |
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| years_active = 1999–present (wrestling)<br>2006–present (acting)<br>2012 (MMA) |
| years_active = 1999–present (wrestling)<br>2006–present (acting)<br>2012 (MMA) |
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| spouse = {{marriage|Glenda Bautista<br />|1990|1998|end=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|Angie Bautista<br />|1998|2006|end=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|Sarah Jade<br />|2015 |
| spouse = {{marriage|Glenda Bautista<br />|1990|1998|end=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|Angie Bautista<br />|1998|2006|end=divorced}}<br>{{marriage|Sarah Jade<br />|2015}} |
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| children = |
| children = 2 |
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| module = {{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes |
| module = {{Infobox professional wrestler|child=yes |
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| names |
| names = '''Batista'''<br>Dave Batista<br>Deacon Batista<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/r/rev-d-von-deacon-batista|title=Rev. D-Von & Deacon Batista|publisher=Online World of Wrestling|accessdate=November 1, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcgrPyHNkOw|title=Batista's WWE Debut|accessdate=October 2, 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref><br>Khan<ref name=officialsite>{{cite web|url= http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/faq.php|title=The Demon FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)|publisher=Demon Wrestling|accessdate=November 13, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071016045743/http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/faq.php |archivedate = October 16, 2007}}</ref><br>Leviathan<ref name=officialsite/> |
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| billed |
| billed = Washington, D.C.<ref name="wwebio"/> |
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| trainer |
| trainer = [[Afa Anoaʻi]]<ref name=OWOW/><br />Marrese Crump<ref name=officialsite/> |
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| height |
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=6}}<ref name="wwebio">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/batista|title=Batista bio|accessdate=April 3, 2011|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref><!-- Official WWE.com stats. --> |
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| weight |
| weight = {{convert|290|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name="wwebio"/><!-- Official WWE.com stats. --> |
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| debut |
| debut = October 30, 1999<ref name="cagematchdebut">{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=962&page=4&s=900|archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/73GnUo32a?url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=962&page=4&s=900|dead-url=yes|archive-date=October 18, 2018|title=Batista: Matches (archived)|last=Kreikenbohm|first=Philip|publisher=Cagematch.net|access-date=October 18, 2018}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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}} |
}} |
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== Early life == |
== Early life == |
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David Michael Bautista Jr.<ref name="batista6">{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|page=6|date=October 2007}}</ref> was born on January 18, 1969,<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/about.php|title=About Dave|accessdate=August 3, 2008|publisher=Demon Wrestling|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703194706/http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/about.php|archivedate=July 3, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> in [[Arlington, Virginia]],<ref name=officialsite/> the son of Donna Raye (''née'' Mullins) and hairdresser David |
David Michael Bautista Jr.<ref name="batista6">{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|page=6|date=October 2007}}</ref> was born on January 18, 1969,<ref name="official">{{cite web|url=http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/about.php|title=About Dave|accessdate=August 3, 2008|publisher=Demon Wrestling|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080703194706/http://www.demon-wrestling.com/pages/about.php|archivedate=July 3, 2008|df=mdy-all}}</ref> in [[Arlington, Virginia]],<ref name=officialsite/> the son of Donna Raye (''née'' Mullins) and hairdresser David Michael Bautista. His mother is of Greek descent, while his father is the son of Filipino immigrants.<ref name="batista6"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7kzVr6BJETsC&pg=PA8&dq=%22My+mom's+father,+Kenneth+Mullins,+was+in+the+service,+too.%22|title=Batista Unleashed – Dave Batista – Google Books|via=[[Google Books]]|date=October 16, 2007|accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> His parents divorced, and he later called himself "the proud son of a lesbian".<ref>http://www.givemesport.com/1072487-former-wwe-star-batista-takes-an-amazing-stand-against-homophobia Retrieved June 8, 2017</ref> His paternal grandfather served in the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines|Filipino military]], worked as a taxi driver and barber, and held other jobs to feed the family. Bautista has said that he lived in poverty,<ref>{{cite web|first=Ed|last=Richelle|url=http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/16/yehey/life/20060916lif5.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021053955/http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/sept/16/yehey/life/20060916lif5.html|archivedate=October 21, 2007|date=September 16, 2006|title=Pinoy hospitality tames ‘The Animal’|accessdate=August 5, 2008|work=[[The Manila Times]]|publisher=Manila Times Publishing Corporation (via Web Archive)}}</ref> and that he had a hard life—before he reached the age of nine, three murders had occurred on his front lawn.<ref>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=16–17|date=October 2007}}</ref> As young as age 13, he was stealing cars.<ref name=Manilla>{{cite web|url=http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=goodLife02_sept23_2006|title=Who's afraid of Batista?|date=September 23, 2006|accessdate=August 4, 2008|first=NRJ|last=Ramos|work=[[Manila Standard Today]]|publisher=Kamahalan Publishing Corporation}}</ref> By age 17, Bautista was estranged from his parents and lived on his own.<ref name=WWESS1>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/batista1|title=Batista's SummerSlam homecoming|first=David|last=Agostino|date=August 17, 2005|accessdate=June 4, 2008|publisher=[[WWE|World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> He later admitted, "I am proud of my parents. They are good, honest, hard-working folks. They taught me the values of working hard."<ref name=Manilla/> He was a nightclub bouncer until he was arrested after a fight that left two patrons injured, one of whom was rendered unconscious.<ref name=WWESS1/> After a trial, he was sentenced to one year of [[probation]].<ref name=WWESS1/> He also worked as a lifeguard<ref>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=50–51|date=October 2007}}</ref> before pursuing a career in bodybuilding,<ref name=WWESS1/> crediting the latter with saving his life.<ref>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|page=42|date=October 2007}}</ref> |
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== Professional wrestling career == |
== Professional wrestling career == |
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=== Training and early career (1999–2000)=== |
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Bautista tried out at the [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) [[WCW Power Plant|Power Plant]], but was told he would never make it in the wrestling business by [[DeWayne Bruce|Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker]].<ref name=bu-p61>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed |first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=61–62|date=October 2007}}</ref> He then went to the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), who advised him to train with [[Afa Anoaʻi]] in the Wild Samoan Training Center wrestling school,<ref name=bu-p72-93>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=72–93|date=October 2007}}</ref> where he went to train and compete in Anoa'i's [[World Xtreme Wrestling]] (WXW) promotion. He had his debut match as Khan on October 30, 1999.<ref name="cagematchdebut"/> Bautista also trained with Marrese Crump in [[Muay Thai]] and [[Eskrima]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.martialartsentertainment.com/marrese-crump/ |title=Marrese Crump |date=November 15, 2011 |work=Martial Arts Entertainment |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> Most recently, he trained at [[Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu]] under Cesar Gracie and has become a purple belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]].<ref name=bjee-purple /> |
Bautista tried out at the [[World Championship Wrestling]] (WCW) [[WCW Power Plant|Power Plant]], but was told he would never make it in the wrestling business by [[DeWayne Bruce|Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker]].<ref name=bu-p61>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed |first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=61–62|date=October 2007}}</ref> He then went to the [[WWE|World Wrestling Federation]] (WWF), who advised him to train with [[Afa Anoaʻi]] in the Wild Samoan Training Center wrestling school,<ref name=bu-p72-93>{{cite book|title=Batista Unleashed|first=Dave|last=Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy|isbn=978-1-4165-4410-4|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|pages=72–93|date=October 2007}}</ref> where he went to train and compete in Anoa'i's [[World Xtreme Wrestling]] (WXW) promotion. He had his debut match as Khan on October 30, 1999.<ref name="cagematchdebut"/> Bautista also trained with Marrese Crump in [[Muay Thai]] and [[Eskrima]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.martialartsentertainment.com/marrese-crump/ |title=Marrese Crump |date=November 15, 2011 |work=Martial Arts Entertainment |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> Most recently, he trained at [[Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu]] under Cesar Gracie and has become a purple belt in [[Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu]].<ref name=bjee-purple /> |
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=== World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment === |
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Upon signing with the WWF in 2000, Bautista was sent to [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW), a WWF [[Farm team#Professional wrestling|developmental territory]]. He made his OVW debut later that year under the ring name Leviathan, where he immediately joined forces with Synn.<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/batista.html|accessdate=July 15, 2008|title=Batista's Online World of Wrestling profile|work=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Black Pants}}</ref> He held the [[OVW Heavyweight Championship]] once.<ref name="SLAM! Profile">{{cite web|first=John|last=Milner|author2=Kamchen, Richard|title=Dave Bautista – Slam! Sports profile|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/batista.html|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports|accessdate=September 11, 2007}}</ref> Bautista began his televised WWE career in May 2002 as a [[heel (professional wrestling)|villain]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 95 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Soon after, under the ringname Batista. He aligned himself with [[Ric Flair]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|page=334|date=April 2003}}</ref> and [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with Kane, whom he defeated at [[Armageddon (2002)]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie| title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|pages=328–330|date=April 2003}}</ref>[[File:Batistalive.jpg|thumb|upright|Batista in 2006]] |
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==== Ohio Valley Wrestling (2000–2002) ==== |
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[[File:Batista with World Heavyweight Championship 8-1-15.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Batista with World Heavyweight Championship]] |
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Upon signing with the WWF in 2000, Bautista was sent to [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] (OVW), a WWF [[Farm team#Professional wrestling|developmental territory]]. He made his OVW debut later that year under the ring name Leviathan, where he immediately joined forces with Synn.<ref name=OWOW>{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/profiles/b/batista.html|accessdate=July 15, 2008|title=Batista's Online World of Wrestling profile|work=Online World of Wrestling|publisher=Black Pants}}</ref> As a member of the Disciples of Synn [[List of professional wrestling terms#Stable|stable]], he went undefeated until being beaten at ''Christmas Chaos'' by [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]] with help from [[Steve Austin|Stone Cold Steve Austin]]. He later won the [[OVW Heavyweight Championship]] from "The Machine" [[Doug Basham]] before losing the belt to [[John Cena|The Prototype]]. A few months later, Bautista left OVW after he was promoted to WWE's main roster.<ref name="SLAM! Profile">{{cite web|first=John|last=Milner|author2=Kamchen, Richard|title=Dave Bautista – Slam! Sports profile|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/Bios/batista.html|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports|accessdate=September 11, 2007}}</ref><!-- Ref covers all the paragraph. --> |
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In January 2003, Batista joined [[Triple H]], Ric Flair and Randy Orton to form the villainous stable [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy| isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 138 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Batista, however, was sidelined for much of 2003 after he tore his right [[Triceps brachii muscle|triceps muscle]]. While training after the injury, Batista re-tore his triceps, extending his stay on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 140–142 |date=October 2007}}</ref> He made his return in October and continued to work with Evolution.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 143–144 |date=October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://raw.wwe.com/results/111003/results.html | title = The legend lives on... will Stone Cold? | date = November 10, 2003 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (via Web Archive) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610083904/http://raw.wwe.com/results/111003/results.html |archivedate=June 10, 2004}}</ref> At [[Armageddon (2003)]], Batista took part in two matches; losing to [[Shawn Michaels]] in a singles match,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/12/15/288020.html | title = WWE Armageddon a flop | date = December 15, 2003 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk |author2=Plummer, Dale}}</ref> and winning a [[Gauntlet match|tag team turmoil match]] along with Ric Flair to become one-half of the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]].<ref name=WT1>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321151 |title=Batista and Ric Flair's first World Tag Team Championship reign |accessdate=September 19, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515134535/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321151 |archivedate=May 15, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> By the end of the event, all four members of Evolution held every male championship on Raw, with Triple H winning the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] and Randy Orton winning the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 139–140 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Batista and Flair held the titles until February 2004, when they were defeated by [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] and [[Rob Van Dam]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://raw.wwe.com/results/021604/results.html | title = Triple Threat at WrestleMania XX ... 'cause Stone Cold said so | date = February 16, 2004 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (via Web Archive) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610091854/http://raw.wwe.com/results/021604/results.html |archivedate=June 10, 2004}}</ref> They later regained the title for a short period.<ref name=WT2>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132142|title=Batista and Ric Flair's second World Tag Team Championship reign|accessdate=September 19, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103034818/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132142|archivedate=November 3, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/03/23/392732.html | title = Raw: Draft day an unpredictable night | date = March 23, 2004 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> |
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==== Early storylines (2002–2003) ==== |
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In January 2005, Batista won the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]], which gave him a [[Professional wrestling championship#World championships|world championship]] match opportunity of his choice at [[WrestleMania 21]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2005 Main Event|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008}}</ref> Despite initially choosing the [[WWE Championship]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/15/931709.html | title = Raw: Love is in the air | date = February 15, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> Batista turned on Triple H and challenged him for the World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania while leaving Evolution and turning [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/22/938787.html | title = Raw: Batista makes his choice | date = February 22, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> Batista won the World Heavyweight Championship from Triple H on April 3 in the main event of WrestleMania 21.<ref name="wwebio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/mainevent/ |title=Batista vs. Triple H – World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226223443/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/mainevent/ |archivedate=December 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> Their match was described by sports journalist [[Dave Meltzer]] as "the peak of one of [WWE's] best storylines in years".<ref name="Meltzer">{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/9/28/3425070/big-question-a-week-in-advance-of-pro-wrestling-superstars-mma-debut|title=Big question remains before Dave Bautista's MMA debut|first=Dave|last=Meltzer|publisher=mmafighting.com|accessdate=September 30, 2012}}</ref> Batista retained the championship against Triple H at [[Backlash (2005)]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/mainevent/ |title=World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. Triple H to retain |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329163822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/mainevent/ |archivedate=March 29, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> and at [[Vengeance (2005)]],<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2005/mainevent/|title=World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. Triple H in a Hell in a Cell Match to retain|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=November 13, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020120141/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2005/mainevent/ |archivedate = October 20, 2007}}</ref> and against [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] at [[The Great American Bash (2005)|The Great American Bash]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/mainevent/|title=Batista vs. JBL for the World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=November 13, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071027092318/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/mainevent/ |archivedate = October 27, 2007}}</ref> and at [[SummerSlam (2005)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/22/1183436.html | title = Hogan-HBK steal SummerSlam | date = August 22, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk |author2=Plummer, Dale}}</ref> In December, Batista teamed with [[Rey Mysterio]] to win [[WWE Tag Team Championships]],<ref name=WWEtag>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/1806054 |title=Batista and Rey Mysterio's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign |accessdate=September 19, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011023155/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/1806054 |archivedate=October 11, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> but shortly lost.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12302005/ | title = A shocking return leads to new Champs | date = December 30, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The following month, Batista torn his right triceps during a match, forcing him to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 224–228 |date=October 2007}}</ref> |
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While still in OVW, Bautista began appearing on non-televised WWE events. He began his televised WWE career on May 9, 2002 on an episode of ''[[WWE SmackDown|SmackDown!]]'' as Deacon Batista, a [[heel (professional wrestling)|villainous]] [[Enforcer (professional wrestling)|enforcer]] for [[D-Von Dudley|Reverend D'Von]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 95 |date=October 2007}}</ref> He made his WWE in-ring debut in a [[tag team]] match teaming with D'Von against [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]] and [[Randy Orton]], [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pinning]] Orton. Over several weeks, Orton tried to beat D'Von and Batista with different partners, but ultimately lost each time.<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|page=170|date=April 2003}}</ref> Batista suffered his first loss in a match against [[Solofa Fatu|Rikishi]] after D'Von accidentally punched him, allowing Rikishi to take advantage and pin Batista. Batista and D'Von argued over the forthcoming weeks, with Batista eventually turning on D'Von. On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, Batista defeated D'Von to end their feud.<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|page=203|date=April 2003}}</ref> After splitting with D'Von, he was assigned to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] brand and was renamed Batista. He aligned himself with [[Ric Flair]]<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie|title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|page=334|date=April 2003}}</ref> and [[Feud (professional wrestling)|feuded]] with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], whom he defeated at [[Armageddon (2002)|Armageddon]].<ref>{{cite book|first=Michael|last=McAvennie| title=WWE The Yearbook: 2003 Edition|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|origyear=2003|isbn=0-7434-6373-0|pages=328–330|date=April 2003}}</ref> |
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[[File:Batista-SD-houseshow.jpg|thumb|left|upright|Batista in June 2008]] |
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Batista returned in July 2006<ref name=henry-pg246>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 246–248 |date=October 2007}}</ref> and soon regained the World Heavyweight Championship by defeating King Booker at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]].<ref name="wwebio"/><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2006/matches/3332480111/results/ | title = Kingdom conquered | first = Louie | last = Dee | date = November 26, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The following year at [[WrestleMania 23]], he lost the championship to [[The Undertaker]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/01/3895847.html |title=Undertaker the champ, McMahon bald |date=April 1, 2007 |accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dale | last = Plummer |author2=Tylwalk, Nick}}</ref> After failing to win against The Undertaker,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/2007/matches/396065217/results/ | title = Stalemate | first = Lennie | last = DiFino | date = April 29, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05112007/ | title = In with the new | first = Noah | last = Starr | date = May 11, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244024/results/ | title = The gold standard | first = Lennie | last = DiFino | date = May 20, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2007/matches/4362508111/results/ | title = Edge wins by two feet | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = June 3, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> and [[The Great Khali]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/ | title = The Great Khali wins the big one | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = July 22, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731143656/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/ |archivedate = July 31, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2007/matches/39000883/results/|title=Punjabi robbery|first=Louie |last=Dee|accessdate=September 19, 2007|date=August 26, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> as title holders, Batista finally won back the championship at [[Unforgiven (2007)]] in September<ref name="wwebio"/><ref name=Un07>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_22841.shtml|accessdate=October 25, 2009|date=September 17, 2007|last=Schwimmer|first=Ryan J.|title=9/16 WWE Unforgiven PPV Review: Schwimmer's "alt perspective" report on event|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref> before losing it again to Edge in December.<ref>{{cite web | first = Mike | last = McAvennie|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660422/results/|title=Edge's "three-meditated" attack to perfection|date=December 17, 2007|accessdate=August 4, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080331154056/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660422/results/ |archivedate = March 31, 2008}}</ref> |
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==== Evolution (2003–2005) ==== |
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Throughout the first half of 2008, Batista mostly remained out of the world title picture. He defeated [[Umaga (wrestler)|Umaga]] at [[WrestleMania XXIV]] before entering a feud with Shawn Michaels. The two faced off at [[Backlash (2008)]] which Batista lost,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/04/28/5407546.html | title = HHH reigns again after Backlash | date = April 28, 2008 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dave | last = Hillhouse}}</ref> but he won at [[One Night Stand (2008)|One Night Stand]], thus ending their feud.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/05/30/5744466.html | title = One Night Stand WWE's best this year | date = June 1, 2008 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Matt | last = MacKinder}}</ref> Batista had short title reigns of both the World Tag Team Championships alongside John Cena in August, <ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/08/05/6353831.html|title=Raw: Rivalry grows between new tag champs|date=August 5, 2008|accessdate=August 6, 2008|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports|first=Dale|last=Plummer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08042008/|accessdate=August 5, 2008|date=August 5, 2008|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|title=Championship scramble|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ |accessdate=August 12, 2008 |date=August 11, 2008 |last=Sitterson |first=Aubrey |title=Bracing for a SummerSlam |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514184356/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ |archivedate=May 14, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> and the World Heavyweight Championship from late October<ref name="WHCTitleMatch">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/7880726/results/|title="Stunning" new champion|last=Tello|first=Craig|date=October 26, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref> to early November.<ref name="Y2JBatistaCage">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11032008/|title=Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes|date=November 4, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=January 10, 2011}}</ref> Following that, he feuded with former Evolution partner, Randy Orton, which resulted in Batista winning at [[Armageddon (2008)]]. Batista then elected to undergo surgery to repair a [[hamstring]] tear,<ref name="BatistaHamstring">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12222008/articles/batistahamsurgery|title=Batista undergoes hamstring surgery|date=December 27, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=December 27, 2008}}</ref> keeping him out of action for several months. |
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{{main|Evolution (professional wrestling)|l1=Evolution}} |
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In January 2003, Batista joined [[Triple H]], Ric Flair and Randy Orton to form the villainous stable [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista|author2=Roberts, Jeremy| isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 138 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Batista, however, was sidelined for much of 2003 after he tore his right [[Triceps brachii muscle|triceps muscle]] at a ''Raw'' [[house show|live event]] in a match against [[Brock Lesnar]]. While training after the injury, Batista re-tore his triceps, extending his stay on the sidelines.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 140–142 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Batista made his return on October 20 episode of ''Raw'', interfering in a match between [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] and [[Shawn Michaels]] and "shattering" Goldberg's ankle with a chair. After the interference, Evolution came out, and Triple H rewarded Batista with $100,000.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 143–144 |date=October 2007}}</ref> On November 10 episode of ''Raw'', Goldberg defeated Batista by disqualification when Triple H interfered.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://raw.wwe.com/results/111003/results.html | title = The legend lives on... will Stone Cold? | date = November 10, 2003 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (via Web Archive) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610083904/http://raw.wwe.com/results/111003/results.html |archivedate=June 10, 2004}}</ref> |
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At [[Armageddon (2003)|Armageddon]], Batista took part in two matches; losing to Shawn Michaels in a singles match,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2003/12/15/288020.html | title = WWE Armageddon a flop | date = December 15, 2003 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk |author2=Plummer, Dale}}</ref> and winning a [[Gauntlet match|tag team turmoil match]] along with Ric Flair to become one-half of the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]].<ref name=WT1>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321151 |title=Batista and Ric Flair's first World Tag Team Championship reign |accessdate=September 19, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070515134535/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321151 |archivedate=May 15, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> By the end of the event, all four members of Evolution held every male championship on Raw, with Triple H winning the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] and Randy Orton winning the [[WWE Intercontinental Championship|Intercontinental Championship]].<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 139–140 |date=October 2007}}</ref> They held the title until February 16, 2004 episode of ''Raw'', when they were defeated by [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] and [[Rob Van Dam]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://raw.wwe.com/results/021604/results.html | title = Triple Threat at WrestleMania XX ... 'cause Stone Cold said so | date = February 16, 2004 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (via Web Archive) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040610091854/http://raw.wwe.com/results/021604/results.html |archivedate=June 10, 2004}}</ref> They later regained the title for a short period.<ref name=WT2>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132142|title=Batista and Ric Flair's second World Tag Team Championship reign|accessdate=September 19, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071103034818/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/304454132142|archivedate=November 3, 2007|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/03/23/392732.html | title = Raw: Draft day an unpredictable night | date = March 23, 2004 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> |
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Batista returned on the April 6, 2009, episode of ''Raw''. He soon captured the WWE Championship by defeating Randy Orton at [[Extreme Rules (2009)|Extreme Rules]] in June.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/history/2009/matches/10253106/results/|accessdate=January 11, 2011|date=June 7, 2009|last=Tello|first=Craig|title=Steel of fortune|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> However, he vacated the title the following day on ''Raw'' due to legitimate torn left biceps similar to what he suffered in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06082009/articles/woundedanimal | title = Raw Results, Wounded Animal |date = October 6, 2009 | accessdate =October 7, 2009 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Batista again returned to action in September.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09142009/|title=Results: Live Raw Results|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=January 10, 2011|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> In October, after failing to win the World Heavyweight Championship at [[Bragging Rights (2009)|WWE Bragging Rights]], he began attacking Mysterio and turning heel (villain) in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwebraggingrights/2009/fatal-four-way|title=World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker def. CM Punk, Batista & Rey Mysterio (Fatal Four Way Match)|date=October 25, 2009|accessdate=June 22, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Batista then went on to defeat Mysterio at [[Survivor Series (2009)|Survivor Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2009/matches/12447876|title=Batista def. Rey Mysterio|date=November 22, 2009|accessdate=June 22, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> On December 13 at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2009)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]], Batista faced Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a losing effort.<ref name="WorldChampionship">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/history/2009/matches/12768186/results/|first=Mitch|last=Passero|title=Results: Deadman lays Batista to rest|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=December 13, 2009|accessdate=December 14, 2009}}</ref> |
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At [[Survivor Series (2004)|Survivor Series]], Triple H, Batista, [[Gene Snitsky]] and [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] were defeated by [[Maven Huffman|Maven]], [[Chris Jericho]], Chris Benoit, and Randy Orton in an eight-man elimination tag team match for control of Raw over the following month;<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2004/11/15/715092.html | title = Orton survives at Series | date = November 15, 2004 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Chris | last = Sokol}}</ref> the members of the winning team would each be the Raw [[Professional wrestling authority figures#Temporary General Managers|general manager]] for a week. Throughout the next two months, the relationship between Batista and Triple H began to deteriorate. After a loss to Chris Jericho, Triple H verbally insulted Batista. Batista teased leaving Evolution that night, but declared that he was still part of Evolution and that they tricked everyone.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 156 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Despite this ploy, Batista began behaving more like a [[Face (professional wrestling)|fan favorite]] over the next few weeks in comparison to Evolution's villainous tactics. One particular moment saw Batista express disgust as Triple H and Ric Flair boasted about how they had intimidated and/or beat up [[Jim Ross]], [[Danny Hodge]], and [[Stacy Keibler]]. Regardless, he continued to show his loyalty to Triple H and Evolution by running down to the ring and assisting them in matches. |
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As 2005 began, Triple H realized the possibility of Batista becoming a threat to his World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H suggested that he not enter the [[Royal Rumble (2005)|Royal Rumble]], claiming that it would be selfish of him to do so, and to simply focus on Triple H retaining the title. Batista entered anyway and went on to win the Rumble earning the right to participate in the main event of [[WrestleMania 21]] against the World Champion of his choice.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/royalrumble/history/198811/mainevent/|title=Royal Rumble 2005 Main Event|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008}}</ref> In an attempt to persuade Batista to challenge [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] and challenger [[John Cena]] in a triple-threat match rather than him, Triple H concocted a scheme to have Batista [[Hit and run (vehicular)|run over]] in a [[limousine]] resembling the one used by Layfield. Initially, Dave did not want help from Evolution and wanted to confront JBL by himself. Triple H insisted that Evolution stick together and accompanied Dave anyway, saving him from the oncoming vehicle.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/15/931709.html | title = Raw: Love is in the air | date = February 15, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> Batista became aware of the plot while sneakily eavesdropping on fellow Evolution members and signed a contract guaranteeing him a match with the World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at WrestleMania 21, thus leaving Evolution and officially turning into a fan favorite. Batista initially pretended that he would sign with SmackDown!, giving Triple H and Flair the "thumbs up", but turned it into a "thumbs down" before attacking the pair. He emphasized his departure by [[powerbomb]]ing Triple H through the table used for the contract signing.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/02/22/938787.html | title = Raw: Batista makes his choice | date = February 22, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk}}</ref> |
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==== World Heavyweight Champion (2005–2008) ==== |
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[[File:DBatista.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Batista as [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Champion]] in September 2005]] |
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Batista won the World Heavyweight Championship on April 3 in the main event of WrestleMania 21.<ref name="wwebio"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/mainevent/ |title=Batista vs. Triple H – World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226223443/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/history/wm21/mainevent/ |archivedate=December 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> WrestleMania 21 received 1.09 million pay-per-view buys worldwide – the then-highest ever number of buys for any non-[[Professional boxing|boxing]] pay-per-view. Batista's match with Triple H was described by [[Sports journalism|sports journalist]] [[Dave Meltzer]] as "the peak of one of [WWE's] best storylines in years".<ref name="Meltzer">{{cite web|url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/9/28/3425070/big-question-a-week-in-advance-of-pro-wrestling-superstars-mma-debut|title=Big question remains before Dave Bautista's MMA debut|author=[[Dave Meltzer|Meltzer, Dave]]|publisher=mmafighting.com|date=September 2012|accessdate=September 30, 2012}}</ref> Batista won a rematch with Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at [[Backlash (2005)|Backlash]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/mainevent/ |title=World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. Triple H to retain |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 5, 2008 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080329163822/http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/backlash2005/mainevent/ |archivedate=March 29, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> After Batista retained his title against Edge, he was betrayed by Ric Flair, who helped Triple H viciously attack the champion as Triple H challenged Batista to a [[Hell in a Cell]] match at [[Vengeance (2005)|Vengeance]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/3442301/ | title = Tainted victory | date = May 23, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Batista won the match at Vengeance, retaining his title yet again. With this win, Batista became the first wrestler to pin Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2005/mainevent/|title=World Heavyweight Champion Batista def. Triple H in a Hell in a Cell Match to retain|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=November 13, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071020120141/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/history/vengeance2005/mainevent/ |archivedate = October 20, 2007}}</ref> |
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[[File:Batistalive.jpg|thumb|175px|Batista in 2006]] |
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On June 30, Batista was drafted to [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown!]] as the last pick in the [[2005 WWE Draft Lottery]], making a surprise appearance to attack [[John Layfield (wrestler)|JBL]], who was celebrating his victory in a six-man elimination match to crown the inaugural "SmackDown! Champion".<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/06302005/ | title = Jackpot! | date = June 30, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> JBL defeated Batista at [[The Great American Bash (2005)|The Great American Bash]] by disqualification after the referee saw Batista use a steel chair.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/mainevent/|title=Batista vs. JBL for the World Heavyweight Championship|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=November 13, 2007 |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071027092318/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2005/mainevent/ |archivedate = October 27, 2007}}</ref> They had a rematch at [[SummerSlam (2005)|SummerSlam]] in a [[No Disqualification match|No Holds Barred match]] in which Batista pinned JBL.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/08/22/1183436.html | title = Hogan-HBK steal SummerSlam | date = August 22, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Nick | last = Tylwalk |author2=Plummer, Dale}}</ref> The feud culminated in a [[Strap match|Bull Rope match]] with Batista retaining his championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08042006/articles/returnofnti | title = Changing Friday nights | date = September 9, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Soon after retaining the title in a feud with [[Eddie Guerrero]],<ref name=NoMercy>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2005/mainevent/ |title=Batista vs. Eddie Guerrero for the World Heavyweight Championship |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=November 13, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071114192032/http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2005/mainevent/ |archivedate=November 14, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> WWE.com reported that Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back at the taping for November 11 episode of ''SmackDown!'' due to a double chokeslam from [[Big Show and Kane]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/batistainjury | title = Batista injury update | date = November 9, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] (via Web Archive) |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20051124160846/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/batistainjury |archivedate=November 24, 2005}}</ref> Plans had been made for Batista to defend the title in a Triple Threat match with Eddie Guerrero and Randy Orton on November 18 episode, but the match did not take place due to the unexpected death of Guerrero on November 13, the date of the taping. Batista paid homage to Guerrero during the ''SmackDown!'' and ''Raw'' tribute shows dedicated to Guerrero's memory.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 215–219 |date=October 2007}}</ref> |
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Batista led Team SmackDown! against Team Raw in an inter-brand feud before [[Survivor Series (2005)|Survivor Series]]. The feud saw Big Show and Kane chokeslamming Batista several more times in the weeks leading up to Survivor Series in an on-camera explanation for Batista's injury.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/24/1321807.html | title = Smackdown: Fighting back the Raw invasion | date = November 24, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Greg | last = Oliver}}</ref> Batista ultimately helped his team win the match.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/11/28/1327500.html | title = Smackdown wins, but Undertaker the real survivor | date = November 28, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dale | last = Plummer |author2=Tylwalk, Nick}}</ref> After Batista saved [[Rey Mysterio]] from Big Show and Kane,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/03/1335038.html | title = Smackdown: Hey babe, you wanna boogey? | date = December 3, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Jon | last = Waldman}}</ref> it was announced that Mysterio would team with Batista to face the Big Show and Kane at [[Armageddon (2005)|Armageddon]]. |
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On December 16 episode of ''SmackDown!'', Batista and Mysterio defeated [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Champions]]<ref name=WWEtag>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/1806054 |title=Batista and Rey Mysterio's first WWE Tag Team Championship reign |accessdate=September 19, 2007 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011023155/http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/1806054 |archivedate=October 11, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> [[MNM (wrestling)|MNM]] to win the titles in a match they dedicated to Eddie Guerrero, and thus Batista became a double champion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/16/1356098.html | title = Smackdown: Can Batista capture double gold? | date = December 16, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Andy | last = McNamara}}</ref> After this, the clash with Big Show and Kane at Armageddon turned into a Champions vs. Champions encounter. Batista and Mysterio lost to Big Show and Kane at Armageddon.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2005/12/19/1359743.html | title = Taker-Orton rises above Armageddon | date = December 19, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Chris| last = Sokol}}</ref> Two weeks later on ''SmackDown!'', MNM defeated Batista and Mysterio after help from the returning [[Mark Henry]] to regain the WWE Tag Team Championships. During the interference, Henry attacked Batista, and performed his ''[[Powerslam#Falling slam|World's Strongest Slam]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12302005/ | title = A shocking return leads to new Champs | date = December 30, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The teams met again in a steel cage match that Henry also became involved in, and Batista and Mysterio were defeated again.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/01062006/ | title = Making statements | date = January 6, 2006 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On January 9, WWE.com announced that Batista tore his right triceps during a match with Mark Henry at a live event on January 6. Due to his injury, Batista was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship at the ''SmackDown!'' tapings on January 13, two days after surpassing Triple H's previous mark of 280 days for longest reigning champion. In his book, ''Batista Unleashed'', Batista said that he believed that Henry was "careless" during their match as he never gave Batista any warning that the move was coming. Batista went on to have successful surgery on his arm on January 12.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 224–228 |date=October 2007}}</ref> |
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Batista made an appearance at [[No Way Out (2006)|No Way Out]] and told the crowd that once his arm had healed he would return to regain the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/02/20/1452718.html | title = Main events salvage No Way Out | date = February 20, 2006 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Chris| last = Sokol}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania 22]], he interrupted a Randy Orton interview, putting SmackDown! on notice that the World Heavyweight Championship would return to him by [[WrestleMania 23]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/04/03/1517783.html | title = WrestleMania delivers big time on PPV | date = February 20, 2006 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dale | last = Plummer |author2=Tylwalk, Nick}}</ref> |
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Batista made his official return during July 7 episode of ''SmackDown!'' immediately calling out and entering into a feud with [[Mark Henry]].<ref name=henry-pg246>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 246–248 |date=October 2007}}</ref> At ''[[Saturday Night's Main Event]]'', Batista won a six-man tag match with teammates Rey Mysterio and [[Bobby Lashley]], defeating World Heavyweight Champion [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]], [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]], and Mark Henry.<ref>{{cite web | first = Brett | last = Hoffman | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/snme/history/july152006/matches/25815983/results/ | title = Animal unleashed on NBC | date = July 15, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Henry was legitimately injured and was ruled out of the scheduled match between the two at [[The Great American Bash (2006)|The Great American Bash]], thus further delaying a potential feud between the two after being delayed by Batista's initial injury.<ref name=henry-pg246/> |
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Batista put out an open challenge to replace the injured Henry, which was answered by [[Mr. Kennedy]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/07/20/1694912.html | title = Smackdown: Rey drops the dime on the King | date = July 20, 2006 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Andy | last = McNamara}}</ref> Batista lost this match via disqualification for failing to stop choking Mr. Kennedy into the turnbuckle with his boot, but continued to attack Kennedy resulting in a laceration on his forehead so severe that it exposed his cranium and required more than 20 stitches to close.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/07/23/1758530.html | title = Booker reigns after the Bash | date = July 23, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Brian | last = Elliot}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1153769870.shtml | title =Mr. Kennedy gets stitches, Chavo turns on Mysterio, King Booker video | date = July 24, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = WrestleView.com | first = Adam | last = Martin}}</ref> Batista lost another match with Kennedy via count out in a rematch on ''SmackDown!'' before finally defeating Kennedy by pinfall on August 4 episode of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite web | first = Craig | last = Tello | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/07282006/ | title = Coronations and carnage | date = July 28, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | first = Brett | last = Hoffman | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/08042006/ | title = Challenge from the grave | date = August 4, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> |
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During this time, Batista tried to regain a world title, facing both Big Show for his [[ECW World Heavyweight Championship|ECW World Championship]] on ''[[ECW on Syfy|ECW]]'',<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wrestleview.com/news2006/1154488172.shtml | title = ECW on Sci Fi Results – 8/1/06 – New York City, NY (Big Show/Batista) | date = August 1, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = WrestleView.com | first = Adam | last = Martin}}</ref> and [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]] for his World Heavyweight Championship at [[SummerSlam (2006)|SummerSlam]] and on ''SmackDown!''. Batista won the SummerSlam match, but not the title as the contests ended via disqualification meaning Booker retained the title.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2006/08/21/1768011.html | title = Boston crowd basks in SummerSlam | date = August 21, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Amy | last = Lawson}}</ref> In the ''SmackDown!'' about a few weeks later, Booker retained with help from his [[King Booker's Court|Court]].<ref>{{cite web | first = Brett | last = Hoffman | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09082006/ | title = All the King's men | date = September 8, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Batista remained a top contender to the World Championship, competing against King Booker on several occasions while feuding with Finlay,<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/11102006/ | title = Batista bites back | first = Noah | last = Starr | date = November 10, 2006 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> before finally defeating Booker to regain the World Heavyweight Championship at [[Survivor Series (2006)|Survivor Series]].<ref name="wwebio"/> Ironically, the win occurred at the same arena where he surrendered the title in January.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/history/2006/matches/3332480111/results/ | title = Kingdom conquered | first = Louie | last = Dee | date = November 26, 2006 | accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:Batista PR.jpeg|thumb|Batista holding the World Heavyweight Championship and a flag of [[Puerto Rico]] in 2006]] |
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At [[WrestleMania 23]], Batista lost the championship to the winner of the Royal Rumble match, [[The Undertaker]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2007/04/01/3895847.html |title=Undertaker the champ, McMahon bald |date=April 1, 2007 |accessdate =August 6, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dale | last = Plummer |author2=Tylwalk, Nick}}</ref> They continued to battle over the title to a stalemate in a [[Last Man Standing match]] at [[Backlash (2007)|Backlash]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/backlash/history/2007/matches/396065217/results/ | title = Stalemate | first = Lennie | last = DiFino | date = April 29, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> and a [[Steel Cage Match]] on 11 May episode of ''SmackDown!'', in both matches Batista and The Undertaker ended in draw, thus Undertaker retained the championship. Following the latter, [[Adam Copeland|Edge]] took advantage and won the title from The Undertaker by cashing in his [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]] contract.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/05112007/ | title = In with the new | first = Noah | last = Starr | date = May 11, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Afterward, Batista challenged Edge unsuccessfully for the World Heavyweight Championship at [[Judgment Day (2007)|Judgment Day]], [[One Night Stand (2007)|One Night Stand]] (in a Steel Cage Match), and [[Vengeance: Night of Champions]] (in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Last Chance match|Last Chance match]]).<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/judgmentday/history/2007/matches/41244024/results/ | title = The gold standard | first = Lennie | last = DiFino | date = May 20, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/onenightstand/history/2007/matches/4362508111/results/ | title = Edge wins by two feet | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = June 3, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The loss at Vengeance stipulated that Batista could no longer get another chance at the World Heavyweight Championship while Edge remained champion.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641/results/ | title = Batista's last stand falls | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = June 24, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080329070522/http://www.wwe.com/shows/vengeance/matches/40811641/results/ |archivedate = March 29, 2008}}</ref> |
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Batista accepted an open challenge from [[The Great Khali]] at [[The Great American Bash (2007)|The Great American Bash]]. Edge relinquished the title due to an injury the week before the pay-per-view, and Khali became the new World Heavyweight Champion, winning a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]] and eliminating Batista. Batista and [[Glenn Jacobs|Kane]], Edge's title opponent, faced Khali at The Great American Bash in a [[Triple Threat match]] where Khali retained the title.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/ | title = The Great Khali wins the big one | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = July 22, 2007 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080731143656/http://www.wwe.com/shows/thegreatamericanbash/history/2007/matches/408116411/results/ |archivedate = July 31, 2008}}</ref> Batista received a disqualification victory against Khali at [[SummerSlam (2007)|SummerSlam]] after Khali used a steel chair, thus retaining the title again.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/history/2007/matches/39000883/results/|title=Punjabi robbery|first=Louie |last=Dee|accessdate=September 19, 2007|date=August 26, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Batista finally claimed his third World Heavyweight Championship after eight consecutive attempts, by defeating Khali in a match that included Rey Mysterio at [[Unforgiven (2007)|Unforgiven]].<ref name="wwebio"/><ref name=Un07>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/PPV_Reports_5/article_22841.shtml|accessdate=October 25, 2009|date=September 17, 2007|last=Schwimmer|first=Ryan J.|title=9/16 WWE Unforgiven PPV Review: Schwimmer's "alt perspective" report on event|publisher=PWTorch}}</ref> His first challenge was from The Great Khali in a [[Punjabi Prison Match]] at [[No Mercy (2007)|No Mercy]] where Batista retained his title. He won the match by leaping from the inner bamboo structure to the outer one, shortening his escape route and beating Khali to the floor.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/nomercy/history/2007/matches/52672881/results/ | title = Batista's Punjabi Prison break | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = October 7, 2007 | accessdate =August 4, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> |
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After the return of The Undertaker at [[Unforgiven (2007)|Unforgiven]], the duo reignited their feud at [[Cyber Sunday (2007)|Cyber Sunday]] where the fans chose [[Stone Cold Steve Austin]] as the [[Professional wrestling match types#Special referee|Special Guest Referee]]. Batista pinned The Undertaker after two Batista Bombs.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/history/2007/matches/5267610/results/ | title = Batista conquers his Phenom-enal demons | first = Mike | last = McAvennie | date = October 28, 2007 | accessdate =August 4, 2008 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> The feud continued with a Hell in a Cell match at [[Survivor Series (2007)|Survivor Series]]. During the match, Edge returned and interfered by giving The Undertaker a [[Professional wrestling attacks#One man con-chair-to|con-chair-to]]. He then pulled an unconscious Batista on top of The Undertaker for the pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|first=Louie|last=Dee|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/matches/4334964/results/|title=On the Edge of Hell|accessdate=November 19, 2007|date=November 18, 2007|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071120165525/http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/matches/4334964/results/ |archivedate = November 20, 2007}}</ref> At [[Armageddon (2007)|Armageddon]], Edge won a Triple Threat match, alongside The Undertaker for Batista's World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web | first = Mike | last = McAvennie|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660422/results/|title=Edge's "three-meditated" attack to perfection|date=December 17, 2007|accessdate=August 4, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080331154056/http://www.wwe.com/shows/armageddon/matches/554660422/results/ |archivedate = March 31, 2008}}</ref> |
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[[File:Batista-SD-houseshow.jpg|thumb|200px|Batista in June 2008]] |
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Batista appeared in the [[Royal Rumble (2008)|Royal Rumble]] and was eliminated by Triple H. At [[No Way Out (2008)|No Way Out]], he was part of the SmackDown [[Elimination Chamber]] Match and eliminated [[Viscera (wrestler)|Big Daddy V]], but was last eliminated by The Undertaker. At [[WrestleMania XXIV]], he defeated [[Eddie Fatu|Umaga]] in an interpromotional match. After [[Shawn Michaels]] defeated Ric Flair at the same event,<ref>{{cite web|first=Bryan|last=Robinson|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/|title=The End|accessdate=June 25, 2008|date=March 30, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080405163833/http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/matches/6464438/results/ |archivedate = April 5, 2008}}</ref> Batista began a feud with Michaels, calling him selfish and egotistical. The two faced off at [[Backlash (2008)|Backlash]] with [[Chris Jericho]] as the Special Guest referee. Michaels won after faking a knee injury and performing [[Superkick|Sweet Chin Music]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2008/04/28/5407546.html | title = HHH reigns again after Backlash | date = April 28, 2008 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Dave | last = Hillhouse}}</ref> Batista then defeated Michaels at [[One Night Stand (2008)|One Night Stand]] in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Container-based variations|stretcher match]], thus ending their feud.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/05/30/5744466.html | title = One Night Stand WWE's best this year | date = June 1, 2008 | accessdate =August 5, 2008 | publisher = [[Canadian Online Explorer]] | work = Slam! Sports | first = Matt | last = MacKinder}}</ref> |
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On June 23, Batista was drafted from [[SmackDown (WWE brand)|SmackDown]] to the [[Raw (WWE brand)|Raw]] [[WWE Brand Extension|brand]] during the [[2008 WWE Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06232008/|title=A Draft Disaster|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|date=June 23, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=June 25, 2008}}</ref> Batista became a [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champion]] for a third time on August 4 episode of Raw when he teamed up with John Cena to defeat [[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Ted DiBiase, Jr.|Ted DiBiase]] for the title,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2008/08/05/6353831.html|title=Raw: Rivalry grows between new tag champs|date=August 5, 2008|accessdate=August 6, 2008|publisher=[[Canadian Online Explorer]]|work=Slam! Sports|first=Dale|last=Plummer}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/08042008/|accessdate=August 5, 2008|date=August 5, 2008|last=Sitterson|first=Aubrey|title=Championship scramble|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> but they failed to retain the titles against the former champions on the next episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ |accessdate=August 12, 2008 |date=August 11, 2008 |last=Sitterson |first=Aubrey |title=Bracing for a SummerSlam |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514184356/http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/results/ |archivedate=May 14, 2008 |df=mdy }}</ref> Batista defeated Cena at [[SummerSlam (2008)|SummerSlam]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/matches/7719954/results/|accessdate=August 25, 2008|date=August 17, 2008|last=Tello|first=Craig|title=Batista's blockbuster triumph|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20080822055035/http://www.wwe.com/shows/summerslam/matches/7719954/results/ |archivedate = August 22, 2008}}</ref> |
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On October 26 at [[Cyber Sunday (2008)|Cyber Sunday]], Batista defeated Chris Jericho for his fourth World Heavyweight Championship in a match in which Stone Cold Steve Austin was voted in as the special guest referee.<ref name="WHCTitleMatch">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/cybersunday/matches/7880726/results/|title="Stunning" new champion|last=Tello|first=Craig|date=October 26, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=October 27, 2008}}</ref> Batista's reign, however, only lasted eight days when Jericho won the title back in a Steel Cage match on a [[Chris Benoit Memorial Show|three-hour special episode]] of ''Raw''.<ref name="Y2JBatistaCage">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/11032008/|title=Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes|date=November 4, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=January 10, 2011}}</ref> |
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Batista then entered a feud with former Evolution partner, Randy Orton; at [[Survivor Series (2008)|Survivor Series]], Batista led a team of himself, [[CM Punk]], [[Kofi Kingston]], [[Matt Hardy]], and [[Ron Killings|R-Truth]] to face the team of Randy Orton, [[Shelton Benjamin]], [[William Regal]], Cody Rhodes, and Mark Henry. Orton's team won with Orton pinning Batista, winning the match for his team. His feud with Orton continued up to [[Armageddon (2008)|Armageddon]] where Batista defeated Orton. On December 15 episode of ''Raw'', Batista was put into a handicap match against [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|The Legacy]] with John Cena as his partner. During the match, Orton struck Batista with a punt to the head. Batista was knocked out and put out of action indefinitely due to a [[Kayfabe|storyline]] head injury. WWE.com later reported that Batista elected to undergo surgery to repair a [[hamstring]] tear.<ref name="BatistaHamstring">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/12222008/articles/batistahamsurgery|title=Batista undergoes hamstring surgery|date=December 27, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=December 27, 2008}}</ref> His hamstring was injured at SummerSlam, in the same match that John Cena was forced out of action with a neck injury. He was expected to be out of action for six to eight months. |
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==== WWE Champion (2009–2010) ==== |
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Batista returned on the April 6, 2009, episode of ''Raw'', the ''Raw'' after [[WrestleMania XXV]], to save [[Triple H]], [[Shane McMahon]], and [[Vince McMahon]] from [[The Legacy (professional wrestling)|The Legacy]] ([[Randy Orton]], [[Cody Rhodes]] and [[Ted DiBiase Jr.]]). Vince McMahon then announced that Batista would take his place at [[Backlash (2009)|Backlash]], where he would team up with WWE Champion Triple H and Shane McMahon to face The Legacy. During the match, Batista had brought out a chair, but Triple H tried to stop him, so they would not get disqualified. This distraction however, cost Triple H his championship, after he lost it to Orton. The following night on ''Raw'', Batista won a singles match against Big Show due to a distraction by John Cena, to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Judgment Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/04062009/ | title = Raw Results, Bringing in the Big Guns | first = Aubrey | last = Sitterson|date = April 6, 2009 | accessdate =January 11, 2011 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Batista went on to defeat Orton in a rematch at [[Extreme Rules (2009)|Extreme Rules]] in a Steel Cage match to capture the [[WWE Championship]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/history/2009/matches/10253106/results/|accessdate=January 11, 2011|date=June 7, 2009|last=Tello|first=Craig|title=Steel of fortune|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> However, on June 8 episode of ''Raw'', Batista was to vacate the title due to a staged brutal attack by Orton and the Legacy. It was later revealed that Batista had suffered a legitimate torn left biceps similar to what he suffered in 2006. Legacy was given on-screen credit for his injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/06082009/articles/woundedanimal | title = Raw Results, Wounded Animal |date = October 6, 2009 | accessdate =October 7, 2009 | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> |
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[[File:El Campeon De La Wwe The Animal Batista (cropped).jpg|170px|thumb|Batista as the [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] in March 2010]] |
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Batista returned on the September 14 episode of ''Raw'' with his arm still in a vice and began his announcement. [[Randy Orton]], assuming Batista was announcing his retirement, then came out and stated that he ended Batista's career. Batista then went on to remove his arm vice, as it was a fake just to lure out Orton, and proceeded to attack Orton. He then announced that he would not retire, but moving to [[SmackDown (brand)|SmackDown]] instead. Later that night, he defeated Orton in a no-holds barred match which was to be his last match on ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09142009/|title=Results: Live Raw Results|last=Adkins|first=Greg|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=January 10, 2011|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> |
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Following his return to SmackDown, Batista defeated [[Unified WWE Tag Team Championship|Unified Tag Team Champions]] [[Jeri-Show]] (Chris Jericho and The Big Show) in singles competition.<ref name="Toronto">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/09142009/|title=Skinning the snake|last=Adkins|first=Greg|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=September 14, 2009|accessdate=September 25, 2009}}</ref><ref name="Hamilton">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/09182009/|title=Consumed in controversy|date=September 18, 2009|last=Burdick|first=Michael|accessdate=September 25, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> These two victories culminated in a tag team title match against Jeri-Show with his partner [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]] On October 4 at [[Hell in a Cell (2009)|Hell in a Cell]], which Jeri-Show won.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sokol|first=Brian|title=Title changes highlight Hell in a Cell|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2009/10/05/11300786.html|work=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=September 5, 2011}}</ref> That same month at [[Bragging Rights (2009)|WWE Bragging Rights]], Batista was unsuccessful in winning the World Heavyweight Championship in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Basic non-elimination matches|Fatal Four-Way match]] including CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, and champion and event winner The Undertaker. During the match, Mysterio broke up Batista's [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pin]] on Undertaker possibly costing him the match and the title. After the match, Batista and Mysterio appeared to patch things up, but Batista said he was tired of coming so close only to be stabbed in the back and told Mysterio he was going to rip his head off. Batista proceeded to brutally attack Mysterio, turning heel in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwebraggingrights/2009/fatal-four-way|title=World Heavyweight Champion The Undertaker def. CM Punk, Batista & Rey Mysterio (Fatal Four Way Match)|date=October 25, 2009|accessdate=June 22, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Batista faced Mysterio on November 22 at [[Survivor Series (2009)|Survivor Series]], where Batista won via referee stoppage after delivering three ''Batista Bomb''s to Mysterio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/survivorseries/2009/matches/12447876|title=Batista def. Rey Mysterio|date=November 22, 2009|accessdate=June 22, 2012|publisher=[[WWE]]}}</ref> Batista defeated Mysterio again in a street fight on the December 11 episode of ''SmackDown''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12112009/|title=Street Fight night|date=December 11, 2009|accessdate=December 11, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> A few weeks later, Batista lost to Mysterio in a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12182009/|title=From here to Christmas|date=December 18, 2009|accessdate=December 18, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Mysterio's title match against The Undertaker ended as a no-contest after interference from Batista.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/archive/12252009/|title=DX-mas Night SmackDown|date=December 25, 2009|accessdate=December 25, 2009|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> On December 13 at [[TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs (2009)|TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs]], Batista faced Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Weapon-based variations|Chairs match]]. Batista initially won the match and the title, but [[Professional wrestling authority figures#General managers 2|SmackDown General Manager]] [[Theodore Long]] reversed the decision because Batista had hit Undertaker with a low blow behind the referee's back. The match was restarted with The Undertaker winning and retaining the championship.<ref name="WorldChampionship">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwetlc/history/2009/matches/12768186/results/|first=Mitch|last=Passero|title=Results: Deadman lays Batista to rest|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=December 13, 2009|accessdate=December 14, 2009}}</ref> |
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Batista then became involved in WWE Chairman [[Vince McMahon]] and [[Bret Hart]]'s rivalry in February 2010 by assisting McMahon in attacking Hart; John Cena attempted to save Hart, but was assaulted by Batista.<ref>{{cite web|title=RAW RESULTS – 2/1/10|date=February 1, 2010|author=Hunter Golden|url=http://www.wrestleview.com/wwe-wrestling-results/wwe-raw-results/1703-raw-results---2-1-10}}</ref> On February 21 at [[Elimination Chamber (2010)|Elimination Chamber]], as payment for Batista attacking Hart, McMahon allowed Batista to face Cena for the WWE Championship immediately after Cena won the title in an [[Elimination Chamber]] match. Batista won the match and thus his second WWE Championship, which resulted in Batista moving back to Raw.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/matches/13372766/results/ |title=Results:Intermittent reign |first= Greg |last=Adkins |date=February 21, 2010 |work=WWE.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730102526/http://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/matches/13372766/results/ |archivedate=July 30, 2010 |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> On March 28 at [[WrestleMania XXVI]], Batista lost the WWE Championship to John Cena in a rematch, ending his reign at 35 days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02222010/|title=Taking the bull by the horns| first=Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 22, 2010|accessdate=March 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwe.sify.com/shows/articles/Results_Cena_uncorks_the_Champ_pain-237900 |title=Results:Cena uncorks the "Champ pain" |first=Greg |last=Adkins |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |date=March 28, 2010 |accessdate=March 29, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401034622/http://wwe.sify.com/shows/articles/Results_Cena_uncorks_the_Champ_pain-237900 |archivedate=April 1, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> Batista received his rematch for the title in a [[Professional wrestling match types#Last Man Standing match|Last Man Standing match]] on April 25 at [[Extreme Rules (2010)|Extreme Rules]], but was defeated by Cena after Cena duct-taped his legs around a ring post, preventing him from standing up.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/currentepisode/14041538|title=WWE Champion John Cena def. Batista (Last Man Standing Match)|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=June 5, 2012|date=April 25, 2010}}</ref> Batista and Cena faced off once again for the WWE Championship on May 23 at [[Over the Limit (2010)|Over the Limit]], but he failed again to regain the title from Cena in an [["I Quit" match]], quitting as Cena threatened to give him the ''[[Professional wrestling throws#Fireman's carry takeover|Attitude Adjustment]]'' off the roof of a car. Cena did so anyway, throwing Batista off of the car and through the stage below.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Bishop|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/05/23/14059136.html|title=Batista quits to end disappointing ''Over The Limit''|accessdate=May 26, 2010|date=May 23, 2010|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> |
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The following night on ''Raw'', Batista opened the show in a wheelchair and claimed that he would be pursuing legal action against Cena and WWE for his injuries (which he revealed in 2014 to be a legitimate compression fracture of his L1 spine).<ref>{{cite web |title=Batista reveals why he returned to WWE |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgRspe1i7KE |website=YouTube |author=WWE |date=January 22, 2014}}</ref> His promo was interrupted by new Raw General Manager Bret Hart, who ordered he face an injured Randy Orton to qualify for a shot at WWE Championship against Cena again at the new [[WWE Fatal 4-Way|Fatal 4-Way]] pay-per-view. Batista refused and quit the company after Hart named Orton winner by forfeit. His profile was subsequently moved to the alumni page on WWE's website.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2010/may22-28/14559064 |title=Raw: Batista quits WWE after loss to John Cena at Over the Limit |work=WWE.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026090240/http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2010/may22-28/14559064 |archivedate=October 26, 2012 |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> He later said in an interview that he left WWE because he "did not like the direction the company was going in".<ref>{{cite web |author=WrestlingNewsWorld.com |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/batista-makes-first-public-comments-since-leaving-wwe.php |title=Batista Makes First Public Comments Since Leaving WWE |publisher=Wrestlingnewsworld.com |date= |accessdate=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019220841/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/batista-makes-first-public-comments-since-leaving-wwe.php |archive-date=2014-10-19 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref> |
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=== Return to WWE (2013–2014) === |
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[[File:Batista at WrestleMania XXX.jpg|thumb|upright|Batista in the main event at [[WrestleMania XXX]]]] |
[[File:Batista at WrestleMania XXX.jpg|thumb|upright|Batista in the main event at [[WrestleMania XXX]]]] |
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On the December 23, 2013 episode of ''Raw'', a vignette aired announcing the return of Batista on January 20, 2014 episode of ''Raw''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/videos/batista-returns-to-wwe-on-January-20-2014-26172685|title=Batista returns to WWE on 20 January 2014|publisher=WWE|accessdate=January 8, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209223732/http://www.wwe.com/videos/batista-returns-to-wwe-on-January-20-2014-26172685|archivedate=February 9, 2016|df=mdy-all}}</ref> It was later announced that Batista would be participating in the [[Royal Rumble (2014)|2014 Royal Rumble match]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/6: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live "Old-School" Raw – Flair opens, major Legend return at show-end, Rumble hype, more|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_75506.shtml}}</ref> Batista returned as a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] to confront [[WWE World Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Champion]] [[Randy Orton]] on the January 20 ''Raw'', and vowed to win the Royal Rumble match and become champion at [[WrestleMania XXX]]. Later that night, Batista confronted [[Alberto Del Rio]], who had been trash talking him for several weeks, and eventually attacked him with a ''Batista Bomb''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_75809.shtml|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Batista returns, Lesnar, final Rumble PPV hype, Bryan explains his plot, more}}</ref> Six days later at the Royal Rumble, Batista entered the Rumble match at number 28 and last eliminated [[Roman Reigns]] to win the match, becoming the fifth wrestler to win multiple Rumble matches, and the first, and so far only multi-time Royal Rumble winner to win from the same entrant number (28).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_75919.shtml|title=WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PPV RESULTS 1/26 (Hour 3): Royal Rumble vs. The Crowd main event match}}</ref> The live crowd reacted negatively towards Batista's win, as [[Daniel Bryan]] did not take part in the match. Despite a positive reaction originally, the crowd began to boo Batista after Reigns was eliminated.<ref name=TorchReviewCaldwell3>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE Royal Rumble PPV results 1/26 (Hour 3): Royal Rumble vs. The Crowd main event match|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_75919.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=January 28, 2014}}</ref> After the show went off the air, Batista mocked Bryan and gestured his [[The finger|middle finger]] at the crowd.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE news: Live Rumble report on Batista flipping off fans after winning the Rumble, more in-person notes|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_75955.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=January 28, 2014}}</ref> According to Batista, he thought a return as face was a bad idea because of the fans being so invested in Daniel Bryan's "Yes Movement".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho|title=Talk Is Jericho Episode 69: Batista (Pt. 2)|publisher=[[PodcastOne]]}}</ref> On the February 3 ''Raw'', Batista was confronted and was ultimately assaulted by Del Rio before chasing him off.<ref>{{cite web|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 2/3: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Bryan vs. Orton main event, Tag Title steel cage match, no Cena, no Punk, more|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_76113.shtml}}</ref> Batista retaliated the following week, powerbombing Del Rio through the announce table.<ref>{{cite web|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 2/10: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Orton vs. Cena, Bryan follow-up, Henry returns, Betty White, U.S. Title match, more from L.A.|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_76265.shtml}}</ref> |
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The following year in February, Batista defeated John Cena to win the WWE Championship for the second time at [[Elimination Chamber (2010)|Elimination Chamber]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/matches/13372766/results/ |title=Results:Intermittent reign |first= Greg |last=Adkins |date=February 21, 2010 |work=WWE.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100730102526/http://www.wwe.com/shows/eliminationchamber/matches/13372766/results/ |archivedate=July 30, 2010 |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> However, he lost the championship back to Cena the following month at [[WrestleMania XXVI]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/archive/02222010/|title=Taking the bull by the horns| first=Greg|last=Adkins|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|date=February 22, 2010|accessdate=March 29, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://wwe.sify.com/shows/articles/Results_Cena_uncorks_the_Champ_pain-237900 |title=Results:Cena uncorks the "Champ pain" |first=Greg |last=Adkins |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |date=March 28, 2010 |accessdate=March 29, 2010 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100401034622/http://wwe.sify.com/shows/articles/Results_Cena_uncorks_the_Champ_pain-237900 |archivedate=April 1, 2010 |df=mdy }}</ref> The two faced each in subsequent rematches at [[Extreme Rules (2010)|Extreme Rules]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/currentepisode/14041538|title=WWE Champion John Cena def. Batista (Last Man Standing Match)|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]|accessdate=June 5, 2012|date=April 25, 2010}}</ref> and [[Over the Limit (2010)|Over the Limit]]; Batista lost on both occasions.<ref>{{cite web|first=Matt|last=Bishop|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2010/05/23/14059136.html|title=Batista quits to end disappointing ''Over The Limit''|accessdate=May 26, 2010|date=May 23, 2010|publisher=Canadian Online Explorer|work=Slam! Sports}}</ref> He last appeared on May<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2010/may22-28/14559064 |title=Raw: Batista quits WWE after loss to John Cena at Over the Limit |work=WWE.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121026090240/http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/vms/raw/2010/may22-28/14559064 |archivedate=October 26, 2012 |accessdate=October 21, 2016}}</ref> and left WWE for he "did not like the direction the company was going in".<ref>{{cite web |author=WrestlingNewsWorld.com |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/batista-makes-first-public-comments-since-leaving-wwe.php |title=Batista Makes First Public Comments Since Leaving WWE |publisher=Wrestlingnewsworld.com |date= |accessdate=August 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019220841/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/wwe-news/batista-makes-first-public-comments-since-leaving-wwe.php |archive-date=2014-10-19 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref> |
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At the [[Elimination Chamber (2014)|Elimination Chamber]] event and on the following ''Raw'', Batista was heavily booed by the fans during matches against Del Rio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mstarz.com/articles/26770/20140225/wwe-spoilers-batista-comments-fans-reaction-plus-update-john-cenas.htm |title=WWE Spoilers: Batista comments on fans' reaction to him, plus an update on John Cena's injury : TV |publisher=Mstarz |date=February 25, 2014 |accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> Batista won the match at Elimination Chamber, but continued to suffer a torrid fan reaction with "Boo-tista" chants.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nissim|first=Mayer|title=WWE Superstar Batista responds to 'Bootista' taunts|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s216/wwe/news/a554218/wwe-superstar-batista-responds-to-bootista-taunts.html|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|accessdate=March 31, 2014}}</ref> Batista responded to the audience on the February 28 episode of ''SmackDown'', saying that he did not come back to be liked, then mocked the other wrestlers by stating that they were not "real men" and promised to be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, thus turning [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]].<ref name="SLAM!">{{cite web|last=Plummer|first=Dave|title= Smackdown!: Batista claims he is The Man in Milwaukee|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2014/02/28/21503546.html|work=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=March 1, 2014}}</ref> After Orton retained his title at the Elimination Chamber, the scheduled WrestleMania XXX main event was Batista vs. Orton, however Bryan was added to the match after defeating [[Triple H]] in the opening contest of the show. Batista ultimately lost the [[triple threat match]] at WrestleMania after Bryan forced him to submit to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/daniel-bryan-randy-orton-batista-26178334|title=Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion|accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref> |
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Batista returned to WWE in January 2014<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_75809.shtml|title=CALDWELL'S WWE RAW RESULTS 1/20: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – Batista returns, Lesnar, final Rumble PPV hype, Bryan explains his plot, more}}</ref> and won the [[Royal Rumble (2014)|Royal Rumble]] match.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_75919.shtml|title=WWE ROYAL RUMBLE PPV RESULTS 1/26 (Hour 3): Royal Rumble vs. The Crowd main event match}}</ref><ref name=TorchReviewCaldwell3>{{cite web|last=Caldwell|first=James|title=WWE Royal Rumble PPV results 1/26 (Hour 3): Royal Rumble vs. The Crowd main event match|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wweppvs/article_75919.shtml|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=January 28, 2014}}</ref> At [[WrestleMania XXX]], Batista competed for the [[WWE World Heavyweight Championship]] against champion Randy Orton and [[Daniel Bryan]], which Bryan won.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wrestlemania/30/daniel-bryan-randy-orton-batista-26178334|title=Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton and Batista to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion|accessdate=April 12, 2014}}</ref> He soon teamed with Orton and Triple H to reform Evolution and have a feud with [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]] ([[Dean Ambrose]], [[Roman Reigns]] and [[Seth Rollins]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-04-07/wwe-raw-results-26221495/page-13|title=Raw results: Triple H def WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan via Disqualification|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref><ref name=rawreunion>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-04-14/wwe-raw-results-26235639/page-13|title=Raw results: Evolution reforms to break The Shield; The Shield vs. Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Bad News Barrett, Alexander Rusev, Fandango, Rybaxel, Titus O’Neil went to a No Contest|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref> At both [[Extreme Rules (2014)|Extreme Rules]] and [[Payback (2014)|Payback]], Evolution lost to The Shield.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clapp|first=John|title=The Shield def. Evolution|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/2014/the-shield-evolution-26230042|publisher=WWE|accessdate=May 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryann|title=The Shield def. Evolution (No Holds Barred Elimination Match)|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2014/the-shield-evolution-26301565|publisher=WWE|accessdate=June 1, 2014}}</ref> On the June 2 episode of ''Raw'', Batista quit WWE after Triple H denied him a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 6/2: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – PPV fall-out, huge angle at the end of Raw, post-Raw coverage, MITB hype, more|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_78782.shtml|website=PWTorch.com|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref> Batista legitimately quit the WWE due to creative differences soon after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/21831/20140512/batista-leaves-wwe-2014.htm|title=Batista Leaves WWE Before 'Payback 2014' PPV! 'The Animal' Quits Wrestling Again Due To Creative Differences And Payment Issues With The Company! CM Punk Scenario All Over Again?|date=May 12, 2014|accessdate=16 February 2015|publisher=K Drama Stars|last=|first=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/474655-latest-on-batista-wwe-status|title=Update: The Very Latest on Batista’s WWE Status, Why He and Other WWE Talents Are Currently Upset|date=May 5, 2014|accessdate=April 11, 2015|publisher=Wrestlezone|last=Paglino|first=Nick}}</ref> Batista made one appearance in October 2018,<ref>{{cite web|title=Evolution reunites: Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton & Ric Flair to appear at SmackDown 1000|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/evolution-reunites-smackdown-1000|publisher=WWE|accessdate=September 29, 2018}}</ref> before challenging Triple H to a match at [[WrestleMania 35]] the following year.<ref name="batistamania35matchcon">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=New WrestleMania Match Confirmed |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/124792/new-wrestlemania-match-confirmed.html?p=1 |publisher=PWInsider |accessdate=March 13, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313100603/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/124792/new-wrestlemania-match-confirmed.html?p=1 |archivedate=March 13, 2019 |date=March 11, 2019}}</ref> |
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[[File:Evolution 2014.jpg|thumb|right|Orton and Batista would later reunite with [[Triple H]] to reform [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]]]] |
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The next night on ''Raw'', Batista and Orton teamed together to face [[The Usos]] for the [[WWE Raw Tag Team Championship|WWE Tag Team Championship]], but the match ended in a double count out.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-04-07/wwe-raw-results-26221495/page-5|title=Raw Results: WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos def. Randy Orton & Batista via Count-out|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref> Later that night, Batista and Orton, along with [[Kane (wrestler)|Kane]], attacked Bryan before he was set to defend his title against Triple H. Before Triple H could defeat Bryan, [[The Shield (professional wrestling)|The Shield]] interrupted by spearing Triple H and taking out Batista, Orton and Kane, causing Bryan to retain his title via disqualification.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-04-07/wwe-raw-results-26221495/page-13|title=Raw results: Triple H def WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan via Disqualification|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref> On the April 14 episode of ''Raw'', Batista, Triple H and Randy Orton came down to the ring to attack The Shield after their 11-on-3 handicap match, using the name and the theme of [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]].<ref name=rawreunion>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/raw/2014-04-14/wwe-raw-results-26235639/page-13|title=Raw results: Evolution reforms to break The Shield; The Shield vs. Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Bad News Barrett, Alexander Rusev, Fandango, Rybaxel, Titus O’Neil went to a No Contest|publisher=WWE|accessdate=April 15, 2014}}</ref> At both [[Extreme Rules (2014)|Extreme Rules]] and [[Payback (2014)|Payback]], Evolution lost to The Shield.<ref>{{cite web|last=Clapp|first=John|title=The Shield def. Evolution|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/extremerules/2014/the-shield-evolution-26230042|publisher=WWE|accessdate=May 4, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryann|title=The Shield def. Evolution (No Holds Barred Elimination Match)|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwepayback/2014/the-shield-evolution-26301565|publisher=WWE|accessdate=June 1, 2014}}</ref> On the June 2 episode of ''Raw'', Batista quit WWE after Triple H denied him a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Caldwell|first1=James|title=Caldwell's WWE Raw Results 6/2: Complete "virtual-time" coverage of live Raw – PPV fall-out, huge angle at the end of Raw, post-Raw coverage, MITB hype, more|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/wwerawreport/article_78782.shtml|website=PWTorch.com|accessdate=June 3, 2014}}</ref> |
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After the episode, he made one last appearance for WWE at an [[NXT (WWE brand)|NXT]] event on June 12 as a face cutting a promo with [[Bo Dallas]] before attacking him with a spinebuster, and receiving cheers again from the fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBrjNs3BVdM|title=Batista and Bo Dallas on NXT 6/12/2014 HD *BEST QUALITY*|date=June 12, 2015|accessdate=June 13, 2014|website=YouTube.com|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Batista legitimately quit the WWE due to creative differences soon after.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kdramastars.com/articles/21831/20140512/batista-leaves-wwe-2014.htm|title=Batista Leaves WWE Before 'Payback 2014' PPV! 'The Animal' Quits Wrestling Again Due To Creative Differences And Payment Issues With The Company! CM Punk Scenario All Over Again?|date=May 12, 2014|accessdate=16 February 2015|publisher=K Drama Stars|last=|first=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestlezone.com/news/474655-latest-on-batista-wwe-status|title=Update: The Very Latest on Batista’s WWE Status, Why He and Other WWE Talents Are Currently Upset|date=May 5, 2014|accessdate=April 11, 2015|publisher=Wrestlezone|last=Paglino|first=Nick}}</ref> |
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=== Wrestling style and reception === |
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[[File:BatistaBomb.jpg|left|thumb|upright|Batista performing his finshing move, the ''Batista Bomb'', on [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] at a WWE [[house show]] in 2006]] |
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Batista utilized a [[Powerbomb#Sitout powerbomb|sit-out powerbomb]], named the ''Batista Bomb'' in WWE, or the ''Demon Bomb'' during his time in OVW.<ref name="accelerator3359">{{citeweb|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/index2.html|title=Batista biography|work=accelerator3359.com|accessdate=January 13, 2019}}</ref> He also used a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spear]] and a [[Professional wrestling throws#Spinebuster|spinebuster]] as occasional finishers.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="accelerator3359"/> |
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In April 2015, Batista said that he would be interested in returning to WWE, but only at [[House show|non-televised events]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2015/4/21/8465721/batista-wwe-return-house-shows-tv-scripts-chris-jericho|title=Batista may return to WWE but only for house shows because the scripts for TV 'aren't great these days'|accessdate=April 21, 2015|website=Cageside Seats}}</ref> He was contacted to appear at [[WrestleMania 32]] in 2016, but turned down the offer.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2972202/wwe-news-batista-reportedly-turned-down-wrestlemania-32-role/ |title=WWE News: Batista reportedly turned down WrestleMania 32 role |last=Suleymanov|first=Mark|date=7 April 2016 |access-date=18 January 2017}}</ref> Regarding his last tenure in professional wrestling, he said that his greatest achievement was "putting guys over" and "repaying favors".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/1020/618614/james-ellsworth-outselling-goldberg-and-dean-ambrose/ |title=Batista talks about greatest achievement in sports entertainment |last=Giri |first=Raj |date=20 October 2016 |access-date=20 October 2016}}</ref> |
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Upon his return to WWE in 2014, Batista was heavily booed by the crowd after winning the Royal Rumble, despite playing a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] character.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2014/01/27/21426491.html|title=Upset fans overshadow Batista's big win at uneven 2014 Royal Rumble|publisher=SLAM Wrestling}}</ref> In an interview with WWE.com, Batista said regarding the crowd reaction that "it was weird. It wasn’t like a normal response. It was almost like a personal attack. It had to do with factors that were not in my control, factors and things that were going on in the company with other people, stuff that really had nothing to do with me. To me, it was a little frustrating, a little confusing, and, you know, I don’t want to say I completely took it personal, but I did somewhat."<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/batista-exclusive-interview|title=Exclusive interview: Batista tells all on his wild return|work=WWE|date=June 17, 2014|accessdate=January 13, 2019}}</ref> After the show went off the air, Batista mocked Bryan and gestured his [[The finger|middle finger]] at the crowd.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pwtorch.com/artman2/publish/WWE_News_3/article_75955.shtml|title=WWE news: Live Rumble report on Batista flipping off fans after winning the Rumble, more in-person notes|work=Pro Wrestling Torch|accessdate=January 28, 2014}}</ref> According to Batista, he thought a return as face was a bad idea because of the fans being so invested in Daniel Bryan's "Yes Movement".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho|title=Talk Is Jericho Episode 69: Batista (Pt. 2)|publisher=[[PodcastOne]]}}</ref> The fan reaction caused Batista to turn prematurely [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]].<ref name="SLAM!">{{cite web|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/2014/02/28/21503546.html|title=Smackdown!: Batista claims he is The Man in Milwaukee|last=Plummer|first=Dave|work=SLAM! Wrestling|accessdate=March 1, 2014}}</ref> |
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=== Second return to WWE (2018–present) === |
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At the [[Elimination Chamber (2014)|Elimination Chamber]] event and on the following ''Raw'', Batista was heavily booed by the fans during matches against [[Alberto Del Rio]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mstarz.com/articles/26770/20140225/wwe-spoilers-batista-comments-fans-reaction-plus-update-john-cenas.htm|title=WWE Spoilers: Batista comments on fans' reaction to him, plus an update on John Cena's injury : TV|date=February 25, 2014|publisher=Mstarz|accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> Batista won the match at Elimination Chamber, but continued to suffer a torrid fan reaction with "Boo-tista" chants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/s216/wwe/news/a554218/wwe-superstar-batista-responds-to-bootista-taunts.html|title=WWE Superstar Batista responds to 'Bootista' taunts|last=Nissim|first=Mayer|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|accessdate=March 31, 2014}}</ref> Batista responded to the audience on the February 28 episode of ''SmackDown'', saying that he did not come back to be liked, then mocked the other wrestlers by stating that they were not "real men" and promised to be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, thus turning [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]].<ref name="SLAM!" /> |
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On October 16, 2018, Batista reunited with the rest of Evolution for an appearance on [[WWE SmackDown 1000|SmackDown's 1000th episode]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Evolution reunites: Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton & Ric Flair to appear at SmackDown 1000|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/smackdown/article/evolution-reunites-smackdown-1000|publisher=WWE|accessdate=September 29, 2018}}</ref> On February 25, 2019, Batista returned to ''Raw'' and attacked [[Ric Flair]] backstage as Flair was about to make an appearance for his 70th birthday celebration as well as subsequently calling out Triple H.<ref>{{cite web|title=WWE RAW REPORT: GOOD NEWS FROM ROMAN REIGNS, ARE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THE NEW CONTRACT SIGNINGS?, A REUNION?, AND MORE|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/ViewArticle.php?id=124452&p=3|publisher=PWInsider|accessdate=February 25, 2019}}</ref> On the March 11 episode of ''Raw'', Batista and Triple H had a face-to-face confrontation, in which Batista challenged Triple H to a match at [[WrestleMania 35]] in order to end his career in his own terms, while also vowing to end Triple H's, in which Triple H accepted, while also adding the match would be a No Holds Barred match.<ref name="batistamania35matchcon">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Mike |title=New WrestleMania Match Confirmed |url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/124792/new-wrestlemania-match-confirmed.html?p=1 |publisher=PWInsider |accessdate=March 13, 2019 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20190313100603/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/124792/new-wrestlemania-match-confirmed.html?p=1 |archivedate=March 13, 2019 |date=March 11, 2019}}</ref> |
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==Professional wrestling style and persona== |
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[[File:BatistaBomb.jpg|right|thumb|Batista performing his finshing move, the ''Batista Bomb'', on [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] at a WWE [[house show]] in 2006]] |
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Batista utilized a [[Powerbomb#Sitout powerbomb|sit-out powerbomb]], named the ''Batista Bomb'' in WWE, or the ''Demon Bomb'' during his time in OVW.<ref name="accelerator3359">{{citeweb|url=http://www.accelerator3359.com/Wrestling/index2.html|title=Batista biography|work=accelerator3359.com|accessdate=January 13, 2019}}</ref> He also used a [[Professional wrestling attacks#Spear|spear]] and a [[Professional wrestling throws#Spinebuster|spinebuster]] as occasional finishers.<ref name="OWOW"/><ref name="accelerator3359"/> |
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Upon his return to WWE in 2014, Batista was heavily booed by the crowd after winning the [[Royal Rumble (2014)|Royal Rumble]], despite playing a [[Face (professional wrestling)|face]] character.<ref>http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/PPVReports/2014/01/27/21426491.html</ref> In an interview with WWE.com, Batista said regarding the crowd reaction that "it was weird. It wasn’t like a normal response. It was almost like a personal attack. It had to do with factors that were not in my control, factors and things that were going on in the company with other people, stuff that really had nothing to do with me. To me, it was a little frustrating, a little confusing, and, you know, I don’t want to say I completely took it personal, but I did somewhat."<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.wwe.com/inside/batista-exclusive-interview|title=Exclusive interview: Batista tells all on his wild return|work=WWE|date=June 17, 2014|accessdate=January 13, 2019}}</ref> The fan reaction caused Batista to turn prematurely [[Heel (professional wrestling)|heel]].<ref name="SLAM!"/> He was declared as the 50th greatest wrestling villain of all time by a WWE article in 2012.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/classic-lists/top-50-wrestling-villains|title=Top 50 villains in wrestling history|website=[[WWE]]|date=July 26, 2012|accessdate=August 20, 2018}}</ref> WWE has also ranked him as the second best [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Champion]] of all time.<ref>{{citeweb|url=https://www.wwe.com/classics/15-greatest-world-heavyweight-champs|title=WWE's 15 best World Heavyweight Champions|work=WWE|first=Jeff|last=Laboon|date=August 24, 2012|accessdate=January 13, 2019}}</ref> |
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== Mixed martial arts career== |
== Mixed martial arts career== |
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[[File:BautistaLucero.jpg|thumb|left|The closing moments of Bautista's win against Vince Lucero in 2012]] |
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After leaving WWE, Bautista attended [[Strikeforce: Los Angeles]] on June 16, 2010, having previously registered an interest in competing in [[mixed martial arts]]. On June 21, 2010, Bautista announced to [[TMZ.com]] that he would be embarking on an MMA career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/21/dave-batista-wwe-mma-strikeforce-mixed-martial-arts/|title=Batista – I'm Fighting for REAL Now!|publisher=TMZ.com|date=June 21, 2010|accessdate=January 8, 2014}}</ref> He also became a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of |
After leaving WWE, Bautista attended [[Strikeforce: Los Angeles]] on June 16, 2010, having previously registered an interest in competing in [[mixed martial arts]]. On June 21, 2010, Bautista announced to [[TMZ.com]] that he would be embarking on an MMA career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tmz.com/2010/06/21/dave-batista-wwe-mma-strikeforce-mixed-martial-arts/|title=Batista – I'm Fighting for REAL Now!|publisher=TMZ.com|date=June 21, 2010|accessdate=January 8, 2014}}</ref> He also became a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of |
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[[Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu|Cesar Gracie]].<ref name=bjee-purple>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjjee.com/featured/former-wwe-wrestler-dave-batista-promoted-to-bjj-purple-belt-by-cesar-gracie/|title=Former WWE Wrestler Dave Batista Promoted To BJJ Purple Belt By Cesar Gracie | Bjj Eastern Europe|publisher=Bjjee.com|date=January 14, 2014|accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> |
[[Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu|Cesar Gracie]].<ref name=bjee-purple>{{cite web|url=http://www.bjjee.com/featured/former-wwe-wrestler-dave-batista-promoted-to-bjj-purple-belt-by-cesar-gracie/|title=Former WWE Wrestler Dave Batista Promoted To BJJ Purple Belt By Cesar Gracie | Bjj Eastern Europe|publisher=Bjjee.com|date=January 14, 2014|accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> |
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Bautista had announced that he and Strikeforce had agreed on a price and were negotiating a contract. However, in April 2011, Batista announced to TMZ.com that negotiating a contract with Strikeforce fell through when Strikeforce was bought by [[Zuffa]], LLC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/321455/Batista-Strikeforce-deal-dead-due-to-UFC-buyout/ |title=Batista: Strikeforce deal dead due to UFC buyout |date=April 25, 2011 |publisher=mixedmartialarts.com |accessdate=October 28, 2011}}</ref> |
Bautista had announced that he and Strikeforce had agreed on a price and were negotiating a contract. However, in April 2011, Batista announced to TMZ.com that negotiating a contract with Strikeforce fell through when Strikeforce was bought by [[Zuffa]], LLC.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/news/321455/Batista-Strikeforce-deal-dead-due-to-UFC-buyout/ |title=Batista: Strikeforce deal dead due to UFC buyout |date=April 25, 2011 |publisher=mixedmartialarts.com |accessdate=October 28, 2011}}</ref> |
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[[File:BautistaLucero.jpg|thumb|left|The closing moments of Bautista's win against Vince Lucero in 2012]] |
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Bautista was expected to make his MMA debut against Rashid Evans (not [[Rashad Evans]]) on October 6, 2012 at Classic Entertainment and Sports: Real Pain in Providence, Rhode Island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmamania.com/2012/7/13/3156784/ufc-wwe-champion-batista-mma-debut-rashid-evans-ces-rhode-island|title=Former WWE champ 'Batista' books pro MMA debut against Rashid Evans for October 6 in Providence |date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=mmamania.com |accessdate=July 13, 2012}}</ref> However, on October 1, 2012, it was announced that Evans was forced out of the bout after a probation violation landed him back in jail. With Bautista's MMA debut still on for the event, Evans was replaced by journeyman and 40-fight veteran Vince Lucero. Batista would go on to win the fight by [[technical knockout|TKO]] at 4:05 in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/10/1/3440914/dave-bautista-will-face-vince-lucero-in-mma-debut |title=Dave Bautista will face Vince Lucero in MMA debut |date=October 1, 2012 |publisher=mmafighting.com |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> |
Bautista was expected to make his MMA debut against Rashid Evans (not [[Rashad Evans]]) on October 6, 2012 at Classic Entertainment and Sports: Real Pain in Providence, Rhode Island.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmamania.com/2012/7/13/3156784/ufc-wwe-champion-batista-mma-debut-rashid-evans-ces-rhode-island|title=Former WWE champ 'Batista' books pro MMA debut against Rashid Evans for October 6 in Providence |date=July 13, 2012 |publisher=mmamania.com |accessdate=July 13, 2012}}</ref> However, on October 1, 2012, it was announced that Evans was forced out of the bout after a probation violation landed him back in jail. With Bautista's MMA debut still on for the event, Evans was replaced by journeyman and 40-fight veteran Vince Lucero. Batista would go on to win the fight by [[technical knockout|TKO]] at 4:05 in the first round.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mmafighting.com/2012/10/1/3440914/dave-bautista-will-face-vince-lucero-in-mma-debut |title=Dave Bautista will face Vince Lucero in MMA debut |date=October 1, 2012 |publisher=mmafighting.com |accessdate=October 2, 2012}}</ref> |
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== Acting career == |
== Acting career == |
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=== Film career === |
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Bautista has acted and guest-starred in several television shows as both himself and in-character as Batista. He guest-starred in the eighth episode of [[Smallville (season 6)|season 6]] of the American drama [[Action (fiction)|action]]/adventure television series ''[[Smallville]]''; he played an extraterrestrial alien named Aldar that escaped from the [[Phantom Zone]], who sucks the bones out of people for nourishment.<ref name=Smallville1>{{cite web|last=Medalis |first=Kara A. |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/batistasmallville2 |title=''The Animal tames Smallville'' |publisher=WWE |date=October 25, 2006 |accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> In June 2009, Bautista made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the Australian soap opera ''[[Neighbours]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://neighbours.com.au/Batista-Wrestles-With-Neighbours.htm |date=March 11, 2009 |publisher=[[Neighbours]] |title=Batista Wrestles With Neighbours|accessdate=June 28, 2009}}</ref> In 2010, he made an appearance on an episode of ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=WrestlingNewsWorld.com |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/dave-batista-to-guest-star-on-chuck-this-fall.php |title=Dave Batista To Guest Star On Chuck This Fall |publisher=Wrestlingnewsworld.com |accessdate=January 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108031251/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/dave-batista-to-guest-star-on-chuck-this-fall.php |archive-date=2014-01-08 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref> He has also made a cameo appearance in ''[[Relative Strangers]]''.<ref name=Manilla/> Bautista worked alongside Rob Van Dam, Marrese Crump and [[Ja Rule]] on the 2010 action film ''[[Wrong Side of Town]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movieset.com/wrongsideoftown |publisher=MovieSet |title=Wrong Side of Town |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527144821/http://www.movieset.com/wrongsideoftown |archivedate=May 27, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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Bautista worked alongside [[Rob Van Dam]], Marrese Crump and [[Ja Rule]] in the action film titled ''[[Wrong Side of Town]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.movieset.com/wrongsideoftown |publisher=MovieSet |title=Wrong Side of Town |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527144821/http://www.movieset.com/wrongsideoftown |archivedate=May 27, 2009 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> |
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Bautista appeared as the villainous Brass Body in the [[Universal Studios]] film ''[[The Man with the Iron Fists]]''. He played [[Drax the Destroyer]] in the 2014 [[Marvel Studios]] film ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'', which was a critical and commercial success.<ref name="GotG">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-signs-wwes-dave-bautista-428724 |title=Marvel Signs WWE's Dave Bautista for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (Exclusive) |first=Borys |last=Kit |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 14, 2013 |accessdate=March 14, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6F7h5oLk3?url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-signs-wwes-dave-bautista-428724 |archivedate=March 14, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> He played Mr. Hinx in the James Bond film, ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' (2015), and starred as the villain Tong Po in the reboot of the 1989 martial arts film ''[[Kickboxer (film)|Kickboxer]]'', opposite [[Georges St-Pierre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-briefs-kickboxer-reboots-with-georges-st-pierre-dave-bautista-alain-moussi-warner-international-takes-relatos-salvajes-to-france-spain-lat-am-more/|title=Cannes Briefs: 'Kickboxer' Reboots With Georges St Pierre, Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi; Warner International Takes 'Relatos Salvajes' To France, Spain, Lat Am; More|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|work=Deadline|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=May 9, 2014}}</ref> Bautista joined the cast of ''[[Blade Runner 2049]]'' as Sapper Morton, which was released on October 6, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Batista joins 'Blade Runner 2' cast|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/batista-joins-blade-runner-2-cast-twitter-instagram|website=WWE|accessdate=5 April 2016}}</ref> He reprised his role as Drax in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'', released in May 2017 |
Bautista appeared as the villainous Brass Body in the [[Universal Studios]] film ''[[The Man with the Iron Fists]]''. He played [[Drax the Destroyer]] in the 2014 [[Marvel Studios]] film ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'', which was a critical and commercial success.<ref name="GotG">{{cite web |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-signs-wwes-dave-bautista-428724 |title=Marvel Signs WWE's Dave Bautista for 'Guardians of the Galaxy' (Exclusive) |first=Borys |last=Kit |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 14, 2013 |accessdate=March 14, 2013 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6F7h5oLk3?url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/marvel-signs-wwes-dave-bautista-428724 |archivedate=March 14, 2013 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> He played Mr. Hinx in the James Bond film, ''[[Spectre (2015 film)|Spectre]]'' (2015), and starred as the villain Tong Po in the reboot of the 1989 martial arts film ''[[Kickboxer (film)|Kickboxer]]'', opposite [[Georges St-Pierre]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadline.com/2014/05/cannes-briefs-kickboxer-reboots-with-georges-st-pierre-dave-bautista-alain-moussi-warner-international-takes-relatos-salvajes-to-france-spain-lat-am-more/|title=Cannes Briefs: 'Kickboxer' Reboots With Georges St Pierre, Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi; Warner International Takes 'Relatos Salvajes' To France, Spain, Lat Am; More|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|work=Deadline|date=May 9, 2014|accessdate=May 9, 2014}}</ref> Bautista joined the cast of ''[[Blade Runner 2049]]'' as Sapper Morton, which was released on October 6, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Batista joins 'Blade Runner 2' cast|url=http://www.wwe.com/article/batista-joins-blade-runner-2-cast-twitter-instagram|website=WWE|accessdate=5 April 2016}}</ref> He reprised his role as Drax in ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]'', released in May 2017<ref name="GotG2">{{cite web |url=http://comicbook.com/2015/11/04/dave-bautista-says-james-gunn-making-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol/ |title=Dave Bautista Says James Gunn Making Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Different |last=Siegel |first=Lucas |publisher=Comicbook.com |date=November 4, 2015 |accessdate=November 5, 2015 |archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6cosZKjvL?url=http://comicbook.com/2015/11/04/dave-bautista-says-james-gunn-making-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol/ |archivedate=November 5, 2015 |deadurl=no |df=mdy }}</ref> and ''[[Avengers: Infinity War]]'', released in April 2018. In January 2019, Bautista was cast in the upcoming [[Denis Villeneuve]] adaptation of ''[[Dune (novel)|Dune]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Legendary’s ‘Dune’ Reboot (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/dave-bautista-dune-reboot-1203101834/|website=''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]''|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=January 8, 2019|accessdate=January 8, 2019}}</ref> |
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In 2018, Bautista joined his |
In 2018, Bautista joined the rest of his supporting cast as they showed strong support to ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (film)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]'' director [[James Gunn]] after his firing for old tweets joking about pedophilia and rape.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/guardians-of-the-galaxys-dave-bautista-not-ok-with/1100-6460620/y | publisher = GameSpot.com | first = Dan | last = Auty | date = July 30, 2018 | accessdate =August 13, 2018 | title = Guardians Of The Galaxy's Dave Bautista "Not OK" With James Gunn's Firing}}</ref> Batista went a step further, and declared that if [[Disney]] (parent company of [[Marvel Studios]]) would not use Gunn's script for ''Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,'' that he would ask to be recast, calling Gunn's firing "nauseating".<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2018/08/dave-bautista-james-gunn-firing-disney | publisher = VanityFair.com | first = Yohana | last = Desta | date = August 6, 2018 | accessdate =August 13, 2018 | title = Dave Bautista: What Disney Did to James Gunn Is "Nauseating"}}</ref> |
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== Other media == |
=== Other media === |
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{{multiple image<!-- Essential parameters. -->|align=left|direction=vertical|image1=Batista-closeup.jpg|caption1=Batista at a WWE meet and greet in 2005}} |
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Bautista |
In addition to wrestling, Bautista has been in several commercials and on several magazine covers. He was shown [[breakdancing]] in a commercial promoting [[SummerSlam (2004)|WWE SummerSlam]] in 2004 where he did his take on a "floor routine", a routine that parodied the floor routines shown at the Olympic Games.<ref>{{cite video |date=August 15, 2004 |title=[[SummerSlam (2004)|WWE SummerSlam 2004]] |medium=DVD |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |location=Stamford, Connecticut |time=Extras}}</ref> He was also on the cover of the April 2005 ''[[Flex (magazine)|Flex]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.getbig.com/magazine/flex/flex0504.htm |title=Flex Magazine – April 2005 |work=GetBig.com |publisher=[[Flex (magazine)|Flex magazine]] |accessdate=August 6, 2008}}</ref> and ''[[Muscle & Fitness]]'' for September 2008.<ref>[http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008/articles/1214323781.php WWE News: Batista on the Cover of Muscle & Fitness, WWE Launches New Clothing Line] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080627025951/http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2008/articles/1214323781.php |date=June 27, 2008 }}</ref> |
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Moreover, Bautista has acted and has guest-starred in several television shows as both himself and in-character as Batista. He guest-starred in the eighth episode of [[Smallville (season 6)|season 6]] of the American drama [[Action (fiction)|action]]/adventure television series ''[[Smallville]]''; he played an extraterrestrial alien named Aldar that escaped from the [[Phantom Zone]], who sucks the bones out of people for nourishment.<ref name=Smallville1>{{cite web|last=Medalis |first=Kara A. |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/batistasmallville2 |title=''The Animal tames Smallville'' |publisher=WWE |date=October 25, 2006 |accessdate=August 4, 2014}}</ref> Along with [[John Cena]] and [[Ashley Massaro]], Bautista appeared representing WWE on an episode of ''[[Extreme Makeover: Home Edition]]'' in January 2007, giving the kids of the family whose house was renovated WWE merchandise and eight tickets to [[WrestleMania 23]].<ref>{{cite video|title=John Cena, Batista, and Ashley on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition |url=http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/specialty_clips/wwehomemakeover |medium=WMV |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |accessdate=August 1, 2007 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070626131807/http://www.wwe.com/content/media/video/specialty_clips/wwehomemakeover |archivedate=June 26, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> |
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During the week of November 5, 2007, he appeared on ''[[Family Feud]]'' with several other WWE superstars.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/news/familyfeudpreview |first=Kara A. |last=Medalis |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |title=Tune in to WWE week on 'Family Feud' |accessdate=November 4, 2007 |date=October 30, 2007}}</ref> On September 7, 2008, he appeared on an episode of ''[[Iron Chef America]]'' as one of the judges, with snails as the theme ingredient.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/superstars/raw/batista/photos01/ironchef/ |title=Batista on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," September 2008 |publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]}}</ref> Bautista, along with [[Candice Michelle]], [[Shelton Benjamin]], and [[Josh Mathews]], represented the WWE at the [[2008 Democratic National Convention]] in an effort to persuade fans to register to vote in the [[United States presidential election, 2008|2008 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wwe.com/inside/overtheropes/wweconventions08/conventionspreview |title=WWE at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions|date=August 22, 2008|accessdate=September 13, 2008|publisher=[[World Wrestling Entertainment]].com}}</ref> Batista has also appeared on ''[[MTV Cribs]]'' showing his house and his cars.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/wrestling/article1167975.ece |date=May 15, 2008 |work=The Sun |title=Batista on "Cribs" |location=London}}</ref> |
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On May 2, 2009, he was shown on camera where he accompanied boxer and fellow Filipino [[Manny Pacquiao]] in his fight against British boxer [[Ricky Hatton]] in which Pacquiao won in the second round. He told ''[[The Sun (United Kingdom)|The Sun]]'' that he loves Hatton, but Manny is in a league of his own and he tends to support his fellow Filipinos out of patriotism, adding that he is thrilled to be there to support Manny before his bout.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/boxing/article2407236.ece |date=May 1, 2009 |work=The Sun|title=WWE star Batista will lead Manny Pacquiao to the ring on Saturday night |location=London}}</ref> |
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In June 2009, Bautista made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the Australian soap opera ''[[Neighbours]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://neighbours.com.au/Batista-Wrestles-With-Neighbours.htm |date=March 11, 2009 |publisher=[[Neighbours]] |title=Batista Wrestles With Neighbours|accessdate=June 28, 2009}}</ref> In 2010, he made an appearance on an episode of ''[[Chuck (TV series)|Chuck]]''.<ref>{{cite web |author=WrestlingNewsWorld.com |url=http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/dave-batista-to-guest-star-on-chuck-this-fall.php |title=Dave Batista To Guest Star On Chuck This Fall |publisher=Wrestlingnewsworld.com |accessdate=January 8, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108031251/http://www.wrestlingnewsworld.com/other-news/dave-batista-to-guest-star-on-chuck-this-fall.php |archive-date=2014-01-08 |dead-url=yes |df= }}</ref> He has also made a cameo appearance in ''[[Relative Strangers]]''.<ref name=Manilla/> |
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Dave Bautista had his first biographical DVD released through WWE Productions entitled ''Batista: I Walk Alone''. It was released October 20, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wweshop.com/item/batista-i-walk-alone-dvd/Batista/35-00677 |title=WWE Wrestling Superstar Merchandise, WWE Clothes, Action Figures & More |publisher=WWEShop |date=January 1, 1970 |accessdate=January 8, 2014}}</ref> |
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In August 2010, Bautista, in conjunction with The South of France Spa Naturals and Monday Night Mayhem wrestling released a video to obtain monetary contributions to [[Ovarian Cancer Research Fund]]. The video showed Bautista in various locales and included his long-time friend and veteran [[mixed martial arts]] fighter Imani Lee, his friend and trainer, Marrese Crump, his daughter, Athena and ex-wife Angie. Bautista dedicated the video to Angie, who has battled ovarian cancer for several years and is in remission. |
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== Controversies == |
== Controversies == |
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== Personal life == |
== Personal life == |
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[[File: Dave Bautista by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|Bautista in July 2013]] |
[[File: Dave Bautista by Gage Skidmore.jpg|thumb|Bautista in July 2013]] |
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Bautista married his first wife, Glenda, in 1990. They |
Bautista married his first wife, Glenda, in 1990. They had two daughters named Keilani (born 1990) and Athena (born 1992) before divorcing in 1998.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 43–44 |date=October 2007}}</ref> Bautista married his second wife, Angie, on October 13, 1998; they divorced in 2006.<ref>{{cite journal | journal = [[WWE Magazine]] | publisher = [[World Wrestling Entertainment]] |date=August 2006 | title = Animal's House | pages = 54–58}}</ref> Before the age of 40, Bautista already had two grandsons through Keilani.<ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | page = 212 |date=October 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | title = Batista Unleashed | first = Dave | last = Batista |author2=Roberts, Jeremy | isbn = 978-1-4165-4410-4 | publisher = [[Simon & Schuster]] | pages = 235–238 |date=October 2007}}</ref> During his marriage to Angie, he became an avid collector of vintage metal [[lunchbox]]es. His favorite is the 1967 [[The Green Hornet|Green Hornet]] lunchbox as it has [[Bruce Lee]] on it. This collection started when he bought Angie an [[E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial|''E.T.'']] lunchbox and she did not want to break it, so he bought a second one.<ref name=lunchbox>{{cite web | first = Jon | last = Robinson | url = http://sports.ign.com/articles/635/635699p3.html | title = Batista: Animal Unleashed | work = [[IGN|IGN.com]] | publisher = [[IGN|IGN Entertainment]] | date = July 21, 2005 | accessdate =August 5, 2008}}</ref> In October 2015, he married competitive pole dancer Sarah Jade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-reunion-at-dave-batistas-wedding-last-weekend.php|title=WWE Reunion At Dave Batista’s Wedding Last Weekend|date=October 12, 2015|last=Herbert|first=Grahame|accessdate=October 9, 2015|work=What Culture|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010205519/http://whatculture.com/wwe/wwe-reunion-at-dave-batistas-wedding-last-weekend.php|archivedate=October 10, 2015|df=mdy-all}}</ref> |
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On October 16, 2007, Bautista's autobiography, ''Batista Unleashed'', was released.<ref name="SLAM! Profile"/> In an interview about the book, he claimed, "I didn't want to tell my story unless it was honest... you have to go through three sets of lawyers: Simon & Schuster lawyers, WWE lawyers, my lawyers. Everything now being the way it is, you can be sued for the simplest thing."<ref name=Bookinterview>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/675/v-print/story/290473.html |title=Batista's Book Speaks Volumes 10/31/2007 |publisher=Miami Herald }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> One source of controversy was the book's mentioning of [[Chris Benoit]], who was almost completely removed due to [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide|his double murder and suicide]]. Bautista responded, "I loved the guy. I despise what he did, but that doesn't erase him from my life. I fought to keep him in there and glad they did."<ref name=Bookinterview/> When asked about his ex-wife, Angie, he says, "[We] have really become close again, which we really haven't been in years. I really learned a lot about her, and she learned a lot about me from reading the book. She actually saw things from a different perspective from reading the book. So that was definitely therapeutic."<ref name=Bookinterview/> |
On October 16, 2007, Bautista's autobiography, ''Batista Unleashed'', was released.<ref name="SLAM! Profile"/> In an interview about the book, he claimed, "I didn't want to tell my story unless it was honest... you have to go through three sets of lawyers: Simon & Schuster lawyers, WWE lawyers, my lawyers. Everything now being the way it is, you can be sued for the simplest thing."<ref name=Bookinterview>{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/675/v-print/story/290473.html |title=Batista's Book Speaks Volumes 10/31/2007 |publisher=Miami Herald }}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> One source of controversy was the book's mentioning of [[Chris Benoit]], who was almost completely removed due to [[Chris Benoit double murder and suicide|his double murder and suicide]]. Bautista responded, "I loved the guy. I despise what he did, but that doesn't erase him from my life. I fought to keep him in there and glad they did."<ref name=Bookinterview/> When asked about his ex-wife, Angie, he says, "[We] have really become close again, which we really haven't been in years. I really learned a lot about her, and she learned a lot about me from reading the book. She actually saw things from a different perspective from reading the book. So that was definitely therapeutic."<ref name=Bookinterview/> |
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He has numerous tattoos, including a large dragon on his back, red [[Kanji]] lettering on his upper left biceps which says "Angel" in tribute to Angie, a signature design on his upper right biceps, and a small sun on his stomach which encircles his belly button.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/me4/wrestlertattoos/wwf.html|title=Tattoos|publisher=angelfire.com}}</ref> He also has a tattoo on his arm of the flags of Greece and the Philippines. While taking time off due to injury in 2009, he had both upper arms covered in large, tribal style tattoos, including the phrase "DC soldier" on his right bicep.<ref>{{cite web|title=Batista – Big Arms, Big Tattoos|url=http://www.celebritytattoodesign.com/batista-tattoos|website=Celebrity Tattoo Design|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> |
He has numerous tattoos, including a large dragon on his back, red [[Kanji]] lettering on his upper left biceps which says "Angel" in tribute to Angie, a signature design on his upper right biceps, and a small sun on his stomach which encircles his belly button.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.angelfire.com/me4/wrestlertattoos/wwf.html|title=Tattoos|publisher=angelfire.com}}</ref> He also has a tattoo on his arm of the flags of Greece and the Philippines. While taking time off due to injury in 2009, he had both upper arms covered in large, tribal style tattoos, including the phrase "DC soldier" on his right bicep.<ref>{{cite web|title=Batista – Big Arms, Big Tattoos|url=http://www.celebritytattoodesign.com/batista-tattoos|website=Celebrity Tattoo Design|accessdate=16 February 2015}}</ref> |
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Bautista supported [[Barack Obama]] during the [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012 presidential election]], citing his support for women's rights and LGBT rights.<ref>https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/265927619697074176</ref> |
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Bautista supported [[Barack Obama]] during the [[United States presidential election, 2012|2012 presidential election]], citing his support for women's rights and LGBT rights.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/265927619697074176|title=I just lost a lot of followers for saying #VoteObama BUT i'll say it again on behalf of Gay Rights and Womens Rights. #VoteObama|website=Twitter|date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> Bautista has been critical of Obama's successor as president, [[Donald Trump]], before and after the [[United States presidential election, 2016|2016 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/265927619697074176|title=FUUUUUCK NOOOOOO!!!! Like HELLLL FUCKING NOOOOOO!!! HELL 2 the FUCKINGGGG 2 the NOOOOOOOO!!! HELL 2 the FUCKING FUUUUUCKKKK NOOOOOOOOO!|website=Twitter|date=October 17, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/265927619697074176|title=I'm just so sick of it! So disgusted! So frustrated! So embarrassed! I hate being political and I don't care what party @realDonaldTrump represents. He’s just a horrible, poor excuse for a human being. I'm proud to be an American and I'm proud to say that #Trumpdoesnotrepresentme|website=Twitter|date=June 18, 2018}}</ref> In a 2019 interview, he said: "I was never a party guy. I was all about the candidate, but it felt like I had to pick a side. It's like war, and I've come out very [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]], but I do have some very [[Conservatism in the United States|conservative]] views, too."<ref name="tampa"/> |
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Due to his upbringing in [[Washington, D.C.]], Bautista is a fan of the [[Washington Nationals|Nationals]] and the [[Washington Wizards|Wizards]], and makes sure to attend matches whenever he in is the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/dc-sports-bog/wp/2017/05/15/guardians-of-the-galaxy-star-guarantees-the-nationals-will-never-have-a-giant-racing-trump/?utm_term=.c040be7c0e9b|title=‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ star guarantees the Nationals will never have a giant racing Trump|work=The Washington Post|first=Dan|last=Steinberg|date=May 15, 2017|accessdate=March 22, 2019}}</ref> |
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== Filmography == |
== Filmography == |
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|''Post-production'' |
|''Post-production'' |
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|- |
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|2020 |
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|''[[Dune (2020 film)|Dune]]'' |
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|[[Glossu Rabban]] |
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|''Filming'' |
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{|class="wikitable sortable" |
{|class="wikitable sortable" |
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== Championships and accomplishments == |
== Championships and accomplishments == |
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[[File:Batista with World Heavyweight Championship.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Batista during his second World Heavyweight Championship reign]] |
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{{multiple image|caption_align=center|header_align=center|right|upright|direction=horizontal|width1=145|width2=125|image1=DBatista.jpg|image2=El Campeon De La Wwe The Animal Batista (cropped).jpg|footer=Batista is a six-time world champion, having won the World Heavyweight Championship four times and the WWE Championship twice}} |
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* '''[[Ohio Valley Wrestling]]''' |
* '''[[Ohio Valley Wrestling]]''' |
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** [[OVW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[OVW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=OVWchamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/ovw/ovw-h.html#last|title=O.V.W. Heavyweight Title|accessdate=July 19, 2007|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> |
** [[OVW Heavyweight Championship]] ([[OVW Heavyweight Championship#Title history|1 time]])<ref name=OVWchamp>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/ovw/ovw-h.html#last|title=O.V.W. Heavyweight Title|accessdate=July 19, 2007|publisher=Wrestling-Titles.com}}</ref> |
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** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of The Year|Feud of the Year]] (2005 <small>vs. [[Triple H]]</small>; 2007 <small>vs. [[The Undertaker]]</small>)<ref name=WON2010>{{cite magazine|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|publication-place=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref> |
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of The Year|Feud of the Year]] (2005 <small>vs. [[Triple H]]</small>; 2007 <small>vs. [[The Undertaker]]</small>)<ref name=WON2010>{{cite magazine|last=Meltzer|first=Dave|authorlink=Dave Meltzer|date=January 26, 2011|title=Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue|magazine=[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]|publication-place=Campbell, CA|pages=1–40|issn=1083-9593}}</ref> |
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** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Most Overrated]] (2006)<ref name=WON2010/> |
** [[List of Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards|Most Overrated]] (2006)<ref name=WON2010/> |
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== See also == |
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* {{Portal-inline|Professional wrestling}} |
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== References == |
== References == |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{Portal|Professional wrestling}} |
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{{Commons category|Dave Bautista}} |
{{Commons category|Dave Bautista}} |
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* {{WWE superstar|name=Batista}} |
* {{WWE superstar|name=Batista}} |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Male actors from Tampa, Florida]] |
[[Category:Male actors from Tampa, Florida]] |
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[[Category:Male actors from Virginia]] |
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[[Category:Male actors from Washington, D.C.]] |
[[Category:Male actors from Washington, D.C.]] |
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[[Category:People from Arlington County, Virginia]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Virginia]] |
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[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Washington, D.C.]] |
[[Category:Professional wrestlers from Washington, D.C.]] |
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[[Category:WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Champions]] |
[[Category:WWF/WWE World Heavyweight Champions]] |
Revision as of 16:46, 23 March 2019
Dave Bautista | |
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Born | David Michael Bautista Jr. January 18, 1969 Arlington, Virginia, U.S. |
Occupation(s) | Actor, professional wrestler, mixed martial artist, bodybuilder |
Years active | 1999–present (wrestling) 2006–present (acting) 2012 (MMA) |
Spouse(s) |
Glenda Bautista
(m. 1990; div. 1998)Angie Bautista
(m. 1998; div. 2006)Sarah Jade
(m. 2015) |
Children | 2 |
Ring name(s) | Batista Dave Batista Deacon Batista[1][2] Khan[3] Leviathan[3] |
Billed height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)[4] |
Billed weight | 290 lb (130 kg)[4] |
Billed from | Washington, D.C.[4] |
Trained by | Afa Anoaʻi[5] Marrese Crump[3] |
Debut | October 30, 1999[6] |
David Michael Bautista Jr. (born January 18, 1969) is an American actor, professional wrestler, and former mixed martial artist and bodybuilder.
Bautista began his wrestling career in 1999, and signed with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) in 2000. From 2002 to 2010, he gained fame under the ring name Batista and became a six-time world champion by winning the World Heavyweight Championship four times and the WWE Championship twice. He holds the record for the longest reign as World Heavyweight Champion at 282 days and has also won the World Tag Team Championship three times (twice with Ric Flair and once with John Cena) and the WWE Tag Team Championship once (with Rey Mysterio). He was the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble match and went on to headline WrestleMania 21, one of the top five highest-grossing pay-per-view events in professional wrestling history.[7] Bautista re-signed with WWE in 2013, going on to win the 2014 Royal Rumble match and headline WrestleMania XXX.
Bautista began acting in 2006 and has starred in The Man with the Iron Fists (2012), Riddick (2013), the James Bond film Spectre (2015), and Blade Runner 2049 (2017).[8] He is perhaps best known for his role as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, portraying the character in the films Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), and Avengers: Infinity War (2018). He has also appeared in several direct-to-video films since 2009.
In August 2012, Bautista signed a contract with Classic Entertainment & Sports to fight in mixed martial arts (MMA).[9] He won his lone MMA fight on October 6, 2012, defeating Vince Lucero via TKO in the first round.
Early life
David Michael Bautista Jr.[10] was born on January 18, 1969,[11] in Arlington, Virginia,[3] the son of Donna Raye (née Mullins) and hairdresser David Michael Bautista. His mother is of Greek descent, while his father is the son of Filipino immigrants.[10][12] His parents divorced, and he later called himself "the proud son of a lesbian".[13] His paternal grandfather served in the Filipino military, worked as a taxi driver and barber, and held other jobs to feed the family. Bautista has said that he lived in poverty,[14] and that he had a hard life—before he reached the age of nine, three murders had occurred on his front lawn.[15] As young as age 13, he was stealing cars.[16] By age 17, Bautista was estranged from his parents and lived on his own.[17] He later admitted, "I am proud of my parents. They are good, honest, hard-working folks. They taught me the values of working hard."[16] He was a nightclub bouncer until he was arrested after a fight that left two patrons injured, one of whom was rendered unconscious.[17] After a trial, he was sentenced to one year of probation.[17] He also worked as a lifeguard[18] before pursuing a career in bodybuilding,[17] crediting the latter with saving his life.[19]
Professional wrestling career
Training and early career (1999–2000)
Bautista tried out at the World Championship Wrestling (WCW) Power Plant, but was told he would never make it in the wrestling business by Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker.[20] He then went to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), who advised him to train with Afa Anoaʻi in the Wild Samoan Training Center wrestling school,[21] where he went to train and compete in Anoa'i's World Xtreme Wrestling (WXW) promotion. He had his debut match as Khan on October 30, 1999.[6] Bautista also trained with Marrese Crump in Muay Thai and Eskrima.[22] Most recently, he trained at Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie and has become a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.[23]
World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment
Ohio Valley Wrestling (2000–2002)
Upon signing with the WWF in 2000, Bautista was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), a WWF developmental territory. He made his OVW debut later that year under the ring name Leviathan, where he immediately joined forces with Synn.[5] As a member of the Disciples of Synn stable, he went undefeated until being beaten at Christmas Chaos by Kane with help from Stone Cold Steve Austin. He later won the OVW Heavyweight Championship from "The Machine" Doug Basham before losing the belt to The Prototype. A few months later, Bautista left OVW after he was promoted to WWE's main roster.[24]
Early storylines (2002–2003)
While still in OVW, Bautista began appearing on non-televised WWE events. He began his televised WWE career on May 9, 2002 on an episode of SmackDown! as Deacon Batista, a villainous enforcer for Reverend D'Von.[25] He made his WWE in-ring debut in a tag team match teaming with D'Von against Faarooq and Randy Orton, pinning Orton. Over several weeks, Orton tried to beat D'Von and Batista with different partners, but ultimately lost each time.[26] Batista suffered his first loss in a match against Rikishi after D'Von accidentally punched him, allowing Rikishi to take advantage and pin Batista. Batista and D'Von argued over the forthcoming weeks, with Batista eventually turning on D'Von. On the November 11 episode of SmackDown, Batista defeated D'Von to end their feud.[27] After splitting with D'Von, he was assigned to the Raw brand and was renamed Batista. He aligned himself with Ric Flair[28] and feuded with Kane, whom he defeated at Armageddon.[29]
Evolution (2003–2005)
In January 2003, Batista joined Triple H, Ric Flair and Randy Orton to form the villainous stable Evolution.[30] Batista, however, was sidelined for much of 2003 after he tore his right triceps muscle at a Raw live event in a match against Brock Lesnar. While training after the injury, Batista re-tore his triceps, extending his stay on the sidelines.[31] Batista made his return on October 20 episode of Raw, interfering in a match between Goldberg and Shawn Michaels and "shattering" Goldberg's ankle with a chair. After the interference, Evolution came out, and Triple H rewarded Batista with $100,000.[32] On November 10 episode of Raw, Goldberg defeated Batista by disqualification when Triple H interfered.[33]
At Armageddon, Batista took part in two matches; losing to Shawn Michaels in a singles match,[34] and winning a tag team turmoil match along with Ric Flair to become one-half of the World Tag Team Champions.[35] By the end of the event, all four members of Evolution held every male championship on Raw, with Triple H winning the World Heavyweight Championship and Randy Orton winning the Intercontinental Championship.[36] They held the title until February 16, 2004 episode of Raw, when they were defeated by Booker T and Rob Van Dam.[37] They later regained the title for a short period.[38][39]
At Survivor Series, Triple H, Batista, Gene Snitsky and Edge were defeated by Maven, Chris Jericho, Chris Benoit, and Randy Orton in an eight-man elimination tag team match for control of Raw over the following month;[40] the members of the winning team would each be the Raw general manager for a week. Throughout the next two months, the relationship between Batista and Triple H began to deteriorate. After a loss to Chris Jericho, Triple H verbally insulted Batista. Batista teased leaving Evolution that night, but declared that he was still part of Evolution and that they tricked everyone.[41] Despite this ploy, Batista began behaving more like a fan favorite over the next few weeks in comparison to Evolution's villainous tactics. One particular moment saw Batista express disgust as Triple H and Ric Flair boasted about how they had intimidated and/or beat up Jim Ross, Danny Hodge, and Stacy Keibler. Regardless, he continued to show his loyalty to Triple H and Evolution by running down to the ring and assisting them in matches.
As 2005 began, Triple H realized the possibility of Batista becoming a threat to his World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H suggested that he not enter the Royal Rumble, claiming that it would be selfish of him to do so, and to simply focus on Triple H retaining the title. Batista entered anyway and went on to win the Rumble earning the right to participate in the main event of WrestleMania 21 against the World Champion of his choice.[42] In an attempt to persuade Batista to challenge WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield and challenger John Cena in a triple-threat match rather than him, Triple H concocted a scheme to have Batista run over in a limousine resembling the one used by Layfield. Initially, Dave did not want help from Evolution and wanted to confront JBL by himself. Triple H insisted that Evolution stick together and accompanied Dave anyway, saving him from the oncoming vehicle.[43] Batista became aware of the plot while sneakily eavesdropping on fellow Evolution members and signed a contract guaranteeing him a match with the World Heavyweight Champion Triple H at WrestleMania 21, thus leaving Evolution and officially turning into a fan favorite. Batista initially pretended that he would sign with SmackDown!, giving Triple H and Flair the "thumbs up", but turned it into a "thumbs down" before attacking the pair. He emphasized his departure by powerbombing Triple H through the table used for the contract signing.[44]
World Heavyweight Champion (2005–2008)
Batista won the World Heavyweight Championship on April 3 in the main event of WrestleMania 21.[4][45] WrestleMania 21 received 1.09 million pay-per-view buys worldwide – the then-highest ever number of buys for any non-boxing pay-per-view. Batista's match with Triple H was described by sports journalist Dave Meltzer as "the peak of one of [WWE's] best storylines in years".[7] Batista won a rematch with Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash.[46] After Batista retained his title against Edge, he was betrayed by Ric Flair, who helped Triple H viciously attack the champion as Triple H challenged Batista to a Hell in a Cell match at Vengeance.[47] Batista won the match at Vengeance, retaining his title yet again. With this win, Batista became the first wrestler to pin Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match.[48]
On June 30, Batista was drafted to SmackDown! as the last pick in the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery, making a surprise appearance to attack JBL, who was celebrating his victory in a six-man elimination match to crown the inaugural "SmackDown! Champion".[49] JBL defeated Batista at The Great American Bash by disqualification after the referee saw Batista use a steel chair.[50] They had a rematch at SummerSlam in a No Holds Barred match in which Batista pinned JBL.[51] The feud culminated in a Bull Rope match with Batista retaining his championship.[52] Soon after retaining the title in a feud with Eddie Guerrero,[53] WWE.com reported that Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back at the taping for November 11 episode of SmackDown! due to a double chokeslam from Big Show and Kane.[54] Plans had been made for Batista to defend the title in a Triple Threat match with Eddie Guerrero and Randy Orton on November 18 episode, but the match did not take place due to the unexpected death of Guerrero on November 13, the date of the taping. Batista paid homage to Guerrero during the SmackDown! and Raw tribute shows dedicated to Guerrero's memory.[55]
Batista led Team SmackDown! against Team Raw in an inter-brand feud before Survivor Series. The feud saw Big Show and Kane chokeslamming Batista several more times in the weeks leading up to Survivor Series in an on-camera explanation for Batista's injury.[56] Batista ultimately helped his team win the match.[57] After Batista saved Rey Mysterio from Big Show and Kane,[58] it was announced that Mysterio would team with Batista to face the Big Show and Kane at Armageddon.
On December 16 episode of SmackDown!, Batista and Mysterio defeated WWE Tag Team Champions[59] MNM to win the titles in a match they dedicated to Eddie Guerrero, and thus Batista became a double champion.[60] After this, the clash with Big Show and Kane at Armageddon turned into a Champions vs. Champions encounter. Batista and Mysterio lost to Big Show and Kane at Armageddon.[61] Two weeks later on SmackDown!, MNM defeated Batista and Mysterio after help from the returning Mark Henry to regain the WWE Tag Team Championships. During the interference, Henry attacked Batista, and performed his World's Strongest Slam.[62] The teams met again in a steel cage match that Henry also became involved in, and Batista and Mysterio were defeated again.[63] On January 9, WWE.com announced that Batista tore his right triceps during a match with Mark Henry at a live event on January 6. Due to his injury, Batista was forced to vacate the World Heavyweight Championship at the SmackDown! tapings on January 13, two days after surpassing Triple H's previous mark of 280 days for longest reigning champion. In his book, Batista Unleashed, Batista said that he believed that Henry was "careless" during their match as he never gave Batista any warning that the move was coming. Batista went on to have successful surgery on his arm on January 12.[64]
Batista made an appearance at No Way Out and told the crowd that once his arm had healed he would return to regain the World Heavyweight Championship.[65] At WrestleMania 22, he interrupted a Randy Orton interview, putting SmackDown! on notice that the World Heavyweight Championship would return to him by WrestleMania 23.[66]
Batista made his official return during July 7 episode of SmackDown! immediately calling out and entering into a feud with Mark Henry.[67] At Saturday Night's Main Event, Batista won a six-man tag match with teammates Rey Mysterio and Bobby Lashley, defeating World Heavyweight Champion King Booker, Finlay, and Mark Henry.[68] Henry was legitimately injured and was ruled out of the scheduled match between the two at The Great American Bash, thus further delaying a potential feud between the two after being delayed by Batista's initial injury.[67]
Batista put out an open challenge to replace the injured Henry, which was answered by Mr. Kennedy.[69] Batista lost this match via disqualification for failing to stop choking Mr. Kennedy into the turnbuckle with his boot, but continued to attack Kennedy resulting in a laceration on his forehead so severe that it exposed his cranium and required more than 20 stitches to close.[70][71] Batista lost another match with Kennedy via count out in a rematch on SmackDown! before finally defeating Kennedy by pinfall on August 4 episode of SmackDown!.[72][73]
During this time, Batista tried to regain a world title, facing both Big Show for his ECW World Championship on ECW,[74] and King Booker for his World Heavyweight Championship at SummerSlam and on SmackDown!. Batista won the SummerSlam match, but not the title as the contests ended via disqualification meaning Booker retained the title.[75] In the SmackDown! about a few weeks later, Booker retained with help from his Court.[76] Batista remained a top contender to the World Championship, competing against King Booker on several occasions while feuding with Finlay,[77] before finally defeating Booker to regain the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series.[4] Ironically, the win occurred at the same arena where he surrendered the title in January.[78]
At WrestleMania 23, Batista lost the championship to the winner of the Royal Rumble match, The Undertaker.[79] They continued to battle over the title to a stalemate in a Last Man Standing match at Backlash[80] and a Steel Cage Match on 11 May episode of SmackDown!, in both matches Batista and The Undertaker ended in draw, thus Undertaker retained the championship. Following the latter, Edge took advantage and won the title from The Undertaker by cashing in his Money in the Bank contract.[81] Afterward, Batista challenged Edge unsuccessfully for the World Heavyweight Championship at Judgment Day, One Night Stand (in a Steel Cage Match), and Vengeance: Night of Champions (in a Last Chance match).[82][83] The loss at Vengeance stipulated that Batista could no longer get another chance at the World Heavyweight Championship while Edge remained champion.[84]
Batista accepted an open challenge from The Great Khali at The Great American Bash. Edge relinquished the title due to an injury the week before the pay-per-view, and Khali became the new World Heavyweight Champion, winning a Battle Royal and eliminating Batista. Batista and Kane, Edge's title opponent, faced Khali at The Great American Bash in a Triple Threat match where Khali retained the title.[85] Batista received a disqualification victory against Khali at SummerSlam after Khali used a steel chair, thus retaining the title again.[86] Batista finally claimed his third World Heavyweight Championship after eight consecutive attempts, by defeating Khali in a match that included Rey Mysterio at Unforgiven.[4][87] His first challenge was from The Great Khali in a Punjabi Prison Match at No Mercy where Batista retained his title. He won the match by leaping from the inner bamboo structure to the outer one, shortening his escape route and beating Khali to the floor.[88]
After the return of The Undertaker at Unforgiven, the duo reignited their feud at Cyber Sunday where the fans chose Stone Cold Steve Austin as the Special Guest Referee. Batista pinned The Undertaker after two Batista Bombs.[89] The feud continued with a Hell in a Cell match at Survivor Series. During the match, Edge returned and interfered by giving The Undertaker a con-chair-to. He then pulled an unconscious Batista on top of The Undertaker for the pinfall to retain the World Heavyweight Championship.[90] At Armageddon, Edge won a Triple Threat match, alongside The Undertaker for Batista's World Heavyweight Championship.[91]
Batista appeared in the Royal Rumble and was eliminated by Triple H. At No Way Out, he was part of the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match and eliminated Big Daddy V, but was last eliminated by The Undertaker. At WrestleMania XXIV, he defeated Umaga in an interpromotional match. After Shawn Michaels defeated Ric Flair at the same event,[92] Batista began a feud with Michaels, calling him selfish and egotistical. The two faced off at Backlash with Chris Jericho as the Special Guest referee. Michaels won after faking a knee injury and performing Sweet Chin Music.[93] Batista then defeated Michaels at One Night Stand in a stretcher match, thus ending their feud.[94]
On June 23, Batista was drafted from SmackDown to the Raw brand during the 2008 WWE Draft.[95] Batista became a World Tag Team Champion for a third time on August 4 episode of Raw when he teamed up with John Cena to defeat Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase for the title,[96][97] but they failed to retain the titles against the former champions on the next episode of Raw.[98] Batista defeated Cena at SummerSlam.[99]
On October 26 at Cyber Sunday, Batista defeated Chris Jericho for his fourth World Heavyweight Championship in a match in which Stone Cold Steve Austin was voted in as the special guest referee.[100] Batista's reign, however, only lasted eight days when Jericho won the title back in a Steel Cage match on a three-hour special episode of Raw.[101]
Batista then entered a feud with former Evolution partner, Randy Orton; at Survivor Series, Batista led a team of himself, CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, and R-Truth to face the team of Randy Orton, Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Cody Rhodes, and Mark Henry. Orton's team won with Orton pinning Batista, winning the match for his team. His feud with Orton continued up to Armageddon where Batista defeated Orton. On December 15 episode of Raw, Batista was put into a handicap match against The Legacy with John Cena as his partner. During the match, Orton struck Batista with a punt to the head. Batista was knocked out and put out of action indefinitely due to a storyline head injury. WWE.com later reported that Batista elected to undergo surgery to repair a hamstring tear.[102] His hamstring was injured at SummerSlam, in the same match that John Cena was forced out of action with a neck injury. He was expected to be out of action for six to eight months.
WWE Champion (2009–2010)
Batista returned on the April 6, 2009, episode of Raw, the Raw after WrestleMania XXV, to save Triple H, Shane McMahon, and Vince McMahon from The Legacy (Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase Jr.). Vince McMahon then announced that Batista would take his place at Backlash, where he would team up with WWE Champion Triple H and Shane McMahon to face The Legacy. During the match, Batista had brought out a chair, but Triple H tried to stop him, so they would not get disqualified. This distraction however, cost Triple H his championship, after he lost it to Orton. The following night on Raw, Batista won a singles match against Big Show due to a distraction by John Cena, to become the number one contender for the WWE Championship at Judgment Day.[103] Batista went on to defeat Orton in a rematch at Extreme Rules in a Steel Cage match to capture the WWE Championship.[104] However, on June 8 episode of Raw, Batista was to vacate the title due to a staged brutal attack by Orton and the Legacy. It was later revealed that Batista had suffered a legitimate torn left biceps similar to what he suffered in 2006. Legacy was given on-screen credit for his injury.[105]
Batista returned on the September 14 episode of Raw with his arm still in a vice and began his announcement. Randy Orton, assuming Batista was announcing his retirement, then came out and stated that he ended Batista's career. Batista then went on to remove his arm vice, as it was a fake just to lure out Orton, and proceeded to attack Orton. He then announced that he would not retire, but moving to SmackDown instead. Later that night, he defeated Orton in a no-holds barred match which was to be his last match on Raw.[106]
Following his return to SmackDown, Batista defeated Unified Tag Team Champions Jeri-Show (Chris Jericho and The Big Show) in singles competition.[107][108] These two victories culminated in a tag team title match against Jeri-Show with his partner Rey Mysterio On October 4 at Hell in a Cell, which Jeri-Show won.[109] That same month at WWE Bragging Rights, Batista was unsuccessful in winning the World Heavyweight Championship in a Fatal Four-Way match including CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, and champion and event winner The Undertaker. During the match, Mysterio broke up Batista's pin on Undertaker possibly costing him the match and the title. After the match, Batista and Mysterio appeared to patch things up, but Batista said he was tired of coming so close only to be stabbed in the back and told Mysterio he was going to rip his head off. Batista proceeded to brutally attack Mysterio, turning heel in the process.[110] Batista faced Mysterio on November 22 at Survivor Series, where Batista won via referee stoppage after delivering three Batista Bombs to Mysterio.[111] Batista defeated Mysterio again in a street fight on the December 11 episode of SmackDown.[112] A few weeks later, Batista lost to Mysterio in a number one contenders match for the World Heavyweight Championship;[113] Mysterio's title match against The Undertaker ended as a no-contest after interference from Batista.[114] On December 13 at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, Batista faced Undertaker for the World Heavyweight Championship in a Chairs match. Batista initially won the match and the title, but SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long reversed the decision because Batista had hit Undertaker with a low blow behind the referee's back. The match was restarted with The Undertaker winning and retaining the championship.[115]
Batista then became involved in WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Bret Hart's rivalry in February 2010 by assisting McMahon in attacking Hart; John Cena attempted to save Hart, but was assaulted by Batista.[116] On February 21 at Elimination Chamber, as payment for Batista attacking Hart, McMahon allowed Batista to face Cena for the WWE Championship immediately after Cena won the title in an Elimination Chamber match. Batista won the match and thus his second WWE Championship, which resulted in Batista moving back to Raw.[117] On March 28 at WrestleMania XXVI, Batista lost the WWE Championship to John Cena in a rematch, ending his reign at 35 days.[118][119] Batista received his rematch for the title in a Last Man Standing match on April 25 at Extreme Rules, but was defeated by Cena after Cena duct-taped his legs around a ring post, preventing him from standing up.[120] Batista and Cena faced off once again for the WWE Championship on May 23 at Over the Limit, but he failed again to regain the title from Cena in an "I Quit" match, quitting as Cena threatened to give him the Attitude Adjustment off the roof of a car. Cena did so anyway, throwing Batista off of the car and through the stage below.[121]
The following night on Raw, Batista opened the show in a wheelchair and claimed that he would be pursuing legal action against Cena and WWE for his injuries (which he revealed in 2014 to be a legitimate compression fracture of his L1 spine).[122] His promo was interrupted by new Raw General Manager Bret Hart, who ordered he face an injured Randy Orton to qualify for a shot at WWE Championship against Cena again at the new Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view. Batista refused and quit the company after Hart named Orton winner by forfeit. His profile was subsequently moved to the alumni page on WWE's website.[123] He later said in an interview that he left WWE because he "did not like the direction the company was going in".[124]
Return to WWE (2013–2014)
On the December 23, 2013 episode of Raw, a vignette aired announcing the return of Batista on January 20, 2014 episode of Raw.[125] It was later announced that Batista would be participating in the 2014 Royal Rumble match.[126] Batista returned as a face to confront WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton on the January 20 Raw, and vowed to win the Royal Rumble match and become champion at WrestleMania XXX. Later that night, Batista confronted Alberto Del Rio, who had been trash talking him for several weeks, and eventually attacked him with a Batista Bomb.[127] Six days later at the Royal Rumble, Batista entered the Rumble match at number 28 and last eliminated Roman Reigns to win the match, becoming the fifth wrestler to win multiple Rumble matches, and the first, and so far only multi-time Royal Rumble winner to win from the same entrant number (28).[128] The live crowd reacted negatively towards Batista's win, as Daniel Bryan did not take part in the match. Despite a positive reaction originally, the crowd began to boo Batista after Reigns was eliminated.[129] After the show went off the air, Batista mocked Bryan and gestured his middle finger at the crowd.[130] According to Batista, he thought a return as face was a bad idea because of the fans being so invested in Daniel Bryan's "Yes Movement".[131] On the February 3 Raw, Batista was confronted and was ultimately assaulted by Del Rio before chasing him off.[132] Batista retaliated the following week, powerbombing Del Rio through the announce table.[133]
At the Elimination Chamber event and on the following Raw, Batista was heavily booed by the fans during matches against Del Rio.[134] Batista won the match at Elimination Chamber, but continued to suffer a torrid fan reaction with "Boo-tista" chants.[135] Batista responded to the audience on the February 28 episode of SmackDown, saying that he did not come back to be liked, then mocked the other wrestlers by stating that they were not "real men" and promised to be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, thus turning heel.[136] After Orton retained his title at the Elimination Chamber, the scheduled WrestleMania XXX main event was Batista vs. Orton, however Bryan was added to the match after defeating Triple H in the opening contest of the show. Batista ultimately lost the triple threat match at WrestleMania after Bryan forced him to submit to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.[137]
The next night on Raw, Batista and Orton teamed together to face The Usos for the WWE Tag Team Championship, but the match ended in a double count out.[138] Later that night, Batista and Orton, along with Kane, attacked Bryan before he was set to defend his title against Triple H. Before Triple H could defeat Bryan, The Shield interrupted by spearing Triple H and taking out Batista, Orton and Kane, causing Bryan to retain his title via disqualification.[139] On the April 14 episode of Raw, Batista, Triple H and Randy Orton came down to the ring to attack The Shield after their 11-on-3 handicap match, using the name and the theme of Evolution.[140] At both Extreme Rules and Payback, Evolution lost to The Shield.[141][142] On the June 2 episode of Raw, Batista quit WWE after Triple H denied him a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.[143]
After the episode, he made one last appearance for WWE at an NXT event on June 12 as a face cutting a promo with Bo Dallas before attacking him with a spinebuster, and receiving cheers again from the fans.[144] Batista legitimately quit the WWE due to creative differences soon after.[145][146]
In April 2015, Batista said that he would be interested in returning to WWE, but only at non-televised events.[147] He was contacted to appear at WrestleMania 32 in 2016, but turned down the offer.[148] Regarding his last tenure in professional wrestling, he said that his greatest achievement was "putting guys over" and "repaying favors".[149]
Second return to WWE (2018–present)
On October 16, 2018, Batista reunited with the rest of Evolution for an appearance on SmackDown's 1000th episode.[150] On February 25, 2019, Batista returned to Raw and attacked Ric Flair backstage as Flair was about to make an appearance for his 70th birthday celebration as well as subsequently calling out Triple H.[151] On the March 11 episode of Raw, Batista and Triple H had a face-to-face confrontation, in which Batista challenged Triple H to a match at WrestleMania 35 in order to end his career in his own terms, while also vowing to end Triple H's, in which Triple H accepted, while also adding the match would be a No Holds Barred match.[152]
Professional wrestling style and persona
Batista utilized a sit-out powerbomb, named the Batista Bomb in WWE, or the Demon Bomb during his time in OVW.[153] He also used a spear and a spinebuster as occasional finishers.[5][153]
Upon his return to WWE in 2014, Batista was heavily booed by the crowd after winning the Royal Rumble, despite playing a face character.[154] In an interview with WWE.com, Batista said regarding the crowd reaction that "it was weird. It wasn’t like a normal response. It was almost like a personal attack. It had to do with factors that were not in my control, factors and things that were going on in the company with other people, stuff that really had nothing to do with me. To me, it was a little frustrating, a little confusing, and, you know, I don’t want to say I completely took it personal, but I did somewhat."[155] The fan reaction caused Batista to turn prematurely heel.[136] He was declared as the 50th greatest wrestling villain of all time by a WWE article in 2012.[156] WWE has also ranked him as the second best World Heavyweight Champion of all time.[157]
Mixed martial arts career
Dave Bautista | |
---|---|
Other names | Brass Body[158] |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
Weight | 265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb) |
Division | Heavyweight (265 lb) (MMA) [159] |
Team | Gracie Fighter Tampa Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu |
Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Cesar Gracie |
Years active | 2012 (MMA) |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 1 |
Wins | 1 |
By knockout | 1 |
Losses | 0 |
Other information | |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
After leaving WWE, Bautista attended Strikeforce: Los Angeles on June 16, 2010, having previously registered an interest in competing in mixed martial arts. On June 21, 2010, Bautista announced to TMZ.com that he would be embarking on an MMA career.[160] He also became a purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under the tutelage of Cesar Gracie.[23]
Bautista had announced that he and Strikeforce had agreed on a price and were negotiating a contract. However, in April 2011, Batista announced to TMZ.com that negotiating a contract with Strikeforce fell through when Strikeforce was bought by Zuffa, LLC.[161]
Bautista was expected to make his MMA debut against Rashid Evans (not Rashad Evans) on October 6, 2012 at Classic Entertainment and Sports: Real Pain in Providence, Rhode Island.[162] However, on October 1, 2012, it was announced that Evans was forced out of the bout after a probation violation landed him back in jail. With Bautista's MMA debut still on for the event, Evans was replaced by journeyman and 40-fight veteran Vince Lucero. Batista would go on to win the fight by TKO at 4:05 in the first round.[163]
Mixed martial arts record
1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
By knockout | 1 | 0 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Vince Lucero | TKO (punches) | CES MMA: Real Pain | October 6, 2012 | 1 | 4:05 | Providence, Rhode Island, United States |
Acting career
Film career
Bautista worked alongside Rob Van Dam, Marrese Crump and Ja Rule in the action film titled Wrong Side of Town.[164]
Bautista appeared as the villainous Brass Body in the Universal Studios film The Man with the Iron Fists. He played Drax the Destroyer in the 2014 Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, which was a critical and commercial success.[165] He played Mr. Hinx in the James Bond film, Spectre (2015), and starred as the villain Tong Po in the reboot of the 1989 martial arts film Kickboxer, opposite Georges St-Pierre.[166] Bautista joined the cast of Blade Runner 2049 as Sapper Morton, which was released on October 6, 2017.[167] He reprised his role as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, released in May 2017[168] and Avengers: Infinity War, released in April 2018. In January 2019, Bautista was cast in the upcoming Denis Villeneuve adaptation of Dune.[169]
In 2018, Bautista joined the rest of his supporting cast as they showed strong support to Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn after his firing for old tweets joking about pedophilia and rape.[170] Batista went a step further, and declared that if Disney (parent company of Marvel Studios) would not use Gunn's script for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, that he would ask to be recast, calling Gunn's firing "nauseating".[171]
Other media
In addition to wrestling, Bautista has been in several commercials and on several magazine covers. He was shown breakdancing in a commercial promoting WWE SummerSlam in 2004 where he did his take on a "floor routine", a routine that parodied the floor routines shown at the Olympic Games.[172] He was also on the cover of the April 2005 Flex[173] and Muscle & Fitness for September 2008.[174]
Moreover, Bautista has acted and has guest-starred in several television shows as both himself and in-character as Batista. He guest-starred in the eighth episode of season 6 of the American drama action/adventure television series Smallville; he played an extraterrestrial alien named Aldar that escaped from the Phantom Zone, who sucks the bones out of people for nourishment.[175] Along with John Cena and Ashley Massaro, Bautista appeared representing WWE on an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition in January 2007, giving the kids of the family whose house was renovated WWE merchandise and eight tickets to WrestleMania 23.[176]
During the week of November 5, 2007, he appeared on Family Feud with several other WWE superstars.[177] On September 7, 2008, he appeared on an episode of Iron Chef America as one of the judges, with snails as the theme ingredient.[178] Bautista, along with Candice Michelle, Shelton Benjamin, and Josh Mathews, represented the WWE at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in an effort to persuade fans to register to vote in the 2008 presidential election.[179] Batista has also appeared on MTV Cribs showing his house and his cars.[180]
On May 2, 2009, he was shown on camera where he accompanied boxer and fellow Filipino Manny Pacquiao in his fight against British boxer Ricky Hatton in which Pacquiao won in the second round. He told The Sun that he loves Hatton, but Manny is in a league of his own and he tends to support his fellow Filipinos out of patriotism, adding that he is thrilled to be there to support Manny before his bout.[181]
In June 2009, Bautista made a cameo appearance as himself in an episode of the Australian soap opera Neighbours.[182] In 2010, he made an appearance on an episode of Chuck.[183] He has also made a cameo appearance in Relative Strangers.[16]
Dave Bautista had his first biographical DVD released through WWE Productions entitled Batista: I Walk Alone. It was released October 20, 2009.[184]
In August 2010, Bautista, in conjunction with The South of France Spa Naturals and Monday Night Mayhem wrestling released a video to obtain monetary contributions to Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. The video showed Bautista in various locales and included his long-time friend and veteran mixed martial arts fighter Imani Lee, his friend and trainer, Marrese Crump, his daughter, Athena and ex-wife Angie. Bautista dedicated the video to Angie, who has battled ovarian cancer for several years and is in remission.
Controversies
Incident with Booker T
Batista's backstage problems continued at the 2006 SummerSlam pay-per-view commercial shoot. Batista got into a real-life fistfight with Booker T. The incident was reported on WWE.com, with both men telling their sides of the story. Booker T believed that Batista considered himself to be better than the rest of the roster due to his main event status and relatively quick climb to achieve it. Wrestlers backstage were praising Booker for speaking his mind to Batista about his attitude.[185][186][187]
Steroid allegations
In August 2007, ESPN incorrectly included Batista on a list of names that they claimed were clients of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Florida, one of many pharmacies under investigation for illicitly providing anabolic steroids.[188] Batista released a statement denying ESPN's allegations and was furious over the report. He denied ever being a customer of Signature and stated that he has been "tested regularly by the WWE, and I am in full compliance with the WWE Wellness Program".[189] WWE suspended ten wrestlers named in the statement; Batista was not one of them.[190]
Personal life
Bautista married his first wife, Glenda, in 1990. They had two daughters named Keilani (born 1990) and Athena (born 1992) before divorcing in 1998.[191] Bautista married his second wife, Angie, on October 13, 1998; they divorced in 2006.[192] Before the age of 40, Bautista already had two grandsons through Keilani.[193][194] During his marriage to Angie, he became an avid collector of vintage metal lunchboxes. His favorite is the 1967 Green Hornet lunchbox as it has Bruce Lee on it. This collection started when he bought Angie an E.T. lunchbox and she did not want to break it, so he bought a second one.[195] In October 2015, he married competitive pole dancer Sarah Jade.[196]
On October 16, 2007, Bautista's autobiography, Batista Unleashed, was released.[24] In an interview about the book, he claimed, "I didn't want to tell my story unless it was honest... you have to go through three sets of lawyers: Simon & Schuster lawyers, WWE lawyers, my lawyers. Everything now being the way it is, you can be sued for the simplest thing."[197] One source of controversy was the book's mentioning of Chris Benoit, who was almost completely removed due to his double murder and suicide. Bautista responded, "I loved the guy. I despise what he did, but that doesn't erase him from my life. I fought to keep him in there and glad they did."[197] When asked about his ex-wife, Angie, he says, "[We] have really become close again, which we really haven't been in years. I really learned a lot about her, and she learned a lot about me from reading the book. She actually saw things from a different perspective from reading the book. So that was definitely therapeutic."[197]
He has numerous tattoos, including a large dragon on his back, red Kanji lettering on his upper left biceps which says "Angel" in tribute to Angie, a signature design on his upper right biceps, and a small sun on his stomach which encircles his belly button.[198] He also has a tattoo on his arm of the flags of Greece and the Philippines. While taking time off due to injury in 2009, he had both upper arms covered in large, tribal style tattoos, including the phrase "DC soldier" on his right bicep.[199]
Bautista supported Barack Obama during the 2012 presidential election, citing his support for women's rights and LGBT rights.[200]
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | Smallville | Aldar | Episode: "Static" |
2009 | Head Case | Himself | Episode: "All About Steve" |
2009 | Neighbours | Himself | Episode: "1.5719" |
2010 | Chuck | T.I. | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Couch Lock" |
2015 | TripTank | Delivery Guy (voice) | Episode: "Short Change" |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | The #Hashtagged Show | Dr. Jason Rush | 2 episodes |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2017 | 2048: Nowhere to Run | Sapper Morton | Short film |
Championships and accomplishments
- Ohio Valley Wrestling
- Pro Wrestling Illustrated
- Most Improved Wrestler of the Year (2005)[202]
- Wrestler of the Year (2005)[202]
- Ranked No. 1 of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2005[203]
- World Wrestling Entertainment/WWE
- World Xtreme Wrestling
- WXW Hall of Fame (Class of 2013)[211]
- Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- Feud of the Year (2005 vs. Triple H; 2007 vs. The Undertaker)[212]
- Most Overrated (2006)[212]
See also
References
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(help) - ^ Auty, Dan (July 30, 2018). "Guardians Of The Galaxy's Dave Bautista "Not OK" With James Gunn's Firing". GameSpot.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ Desta, Yohana (August 6, 2018). "Dave Bautista: What Disney Did to James Gunn Is "Nauseating"". VanityFair.com. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
- ^ WWE SummerSlam 2004 (DVD). Stamford, Connecticut: World Wrestling Entertainment. August 15, 2004. Event occurs at Extras.
- ^ "Flex Magazine – April 2005". GetBig.com. Flex magazine. Retrieved August 6, 2008.
- ^ WWE News: Batista on the Cover of Muscle & Fitness, WWE Launches New Clothing Line Archived June 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Medalis, Kara A. (October 25, 2006). "''The Animal tames Smallville''". WWE. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
- ^ John Cena, Batista, and Ashley on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (WMV). World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 26, 2007. Retrieved August 1, 2007.
{{cite AV media}}
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suggested) (help) - ^ Medalis, Kara A. (October 30, 2007). "Tune in to WWE week on 'Family Feud'". World Wrestling Entertainment. Retrieved November 4, 2007.
- ^ "Batista on Food Network's "Iron Chef America," September 2008". World Wrestling Entertainment.
- ^ "WWE at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions". World Wrestling Entertainment.com. August 22, 2008. Retrieved September 13, 2008.
- ^ "Batista on "Cribs"". The Sun. London. May 15, 2008.
- ^ "WWE star Batista will lead Manny Pacquiao to the ring on Saturday night". The Sun. London. May 1, 2009.
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- ^ a b "PWI Awards". Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Kappa Publishing Group. Retrieved January 18, 2017.
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- ^ "Batista's first World Heavyweight Championship reign". World Wrestling Entertainment. Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved September 19, 2007.
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- ^ a b Meltzer, Dave (January 26, 2011). "Biggest issue of the year: The 2011 Wrestling Observer Newsletter Awards Issue". Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Campbell, CA. pp. 1–40. ISSN 1083-9593.
External links
- Batista on WWE.com
- Dave Bautista at IMDb
- Dave Bautista's profile at Cagematch.net , Wrestlingdata.com , Internet Wrestling Database