Hollywood A-Lister Dave Bautista may feel the allure of wrestling again but refuses to let this temptation ruin what he considers a perfect sendoff. Speaking to Chris Van Vliet of Insight to promote his new film ‘Killers Game‘ the Animal addressed a future return to the ring.
“I went out on my own terms the way I wanted with the guy I wanted to go out with [against Triple H.] I will never tarnish that.”
Bautista admitted that though he won’t wrestle again, he does miss the energy of a live wrestling crowd and there’s “always a temptation” to compete again.
“Every time I hear my music, I want that feeling again. It’s like a drug…..I just have to come to terms with my time has passed.”
Bautista’s final match came at WrestleMania 35 where he faced his longtime mentor and friend Triple H. Ironically, had Triple H lost the bout, he would have been forced to retire from in-ring competition. Instead, the Game won their No Holds Barred match, which at 24:45 was the longest match of WWE’s final one-night WrestleMania.
When Final Matches Go Wrong
The idea of having one final match is a risky venture for wrestlers of the past, as it may have been years if not decades since they were last in ring shape. One final match also runs the risk of ruining a previous, more fitting sendoff. In 2008, Ric Flair what many would consider a perfect farewell at WrestleMania 24 against Shawn Michaels. After joining TNA years later, Flair would have inferior matches and Ric himself has been critical of his 2022 ‘Last Match,’ so much so that he’s teased having another final farewell.
