The shoot fight between Batista and Booker T from 2006 is one of the most famous backstage incidents from WWE of the ruthless aggression era.
Hannibal TV recently caught up with the former WCW Star and during the interview, he recalled that incident with the Animal among some other things.
T said that in combat sports, there is always going to be disagreement between the people working together and that’s what he and the Guardians Of The Galaxy Star had.
However, continuing on the topic, the former World Champion said that he has settled his disagreement with Batista and if he saw him today, he’d give the Hollywood Star a big hug and ask him what’s going on.
For those who don’t know, Batista and Booker T had a real-life backstage fight back in 2006 and T reportedly got the upper hand in their brawl due to his street fighting experience.
Batista had developed an attitude after moving to Raw from SmackDown and winning the World Championship. He was rubbing people the wrong way.
Booker T got into an argument with him after Dave made some bad comments and it developed into a 30 seconds shoot fight between the two before being broken by other stars. You can check out the full interview of Booker in the video below:
It has been 24 hours since the firing of James Gunn from Marvel. The firing was due to the numerous controversial tweets that Gunn has produced in the past and Batista is one of the many actors who worked with Gunn to express his opinion.
Batista made a return to WWE back in 2013 to mixed reviews. This run would have him win the 2014 Royal Rumble and face Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 30 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Due to the popularity of the Yes Movement, Bryan would be added to the title match making it a triple threat match and would make Randy Orton tap out to win the title.
Batista would then go on to reunite with Evolution members Triple H and Randy Orton and feud with the shield. The run would be cut short as Batista would ask for his release and would go on to promote Guardians Of The Galaxy that year.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins took to Twitter last night and noted that he hung out with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Juice Robinson on Wednesday. Rollins said that Robinson is one of his favorite people, and put him over as the future of NJPW.
Unfortunately, The Architect said he and Robinson were having so much fun that they forgot to take a picture together:
Hung out with Juice Robinson yesterday. One of my favorite humans and the future of @njpw1972. I should’ve taken a pic, but we were too busy livin’. #budtweet
Former WWE Champion CM Punk is gearing up to make his second UFC appearance tomorrow night, when he takes on fellow 0-1 record holder Mike Jackson on the main card of the UFC 225 pay-per-view (PPV) in his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
During a media scrum, Punk was asked about the current controversy surrounding Super Bowl winners The Philadelphia Eagles not visiting the White House this year, as per tradition.
When asked if he’d ever accept an invitation to the White House from United States President Donald Trump, Punk claimed he wouldn’t and called Trump a racist:
This comment received praise from former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Batista, who took to Twitter and said “just another reason to love this dude!!”:
WWE’s Recent Trademark Application Could Indicate A New Show
According to a report from PWInsider, WWE has applied for two new trademarks on the term “WWE VIP.” The report indicates that the trademark could be in reference to VIP experience at Live Events, or potentially a new show on the WWE Network.
Discussion: What do you think the new trademark could mean? And would you like for WWE to implement a “VIP Experience” at Live Events?
Batista Wants Video Game Movie Role
Former WWE Superstar Batista has been making the media rounds to promote his new film, Hotel Artemis. The Animal participated in a Twitter Q&A with fans for Gamespot. One question from a fan asked if he would be interested in playing Marcus Fenix in the upcoming Gears Of War film, which is based off the famous video game series.
The film is currently in the works from Universal Studios, and apparently Batista has been trying to land the role for years now:
WWE Superstar John Cena recently made an appearance at the Orlando convention MegaCon this past weekend and took questions from fans. One such question was who The Leader Of The Cenation would rather face – Velveteen Dream, Adam Cole or Ricochet.
Cena picked Dream before using a Star Wars reference, suggesting Velveteen Dream could be “the one.” Check out the video here:
Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet recently posted a photo on Twitter comparing Dolph Ziggler to Owen Wilson in Zoolander. Former WWE Champion Batista took some time to respond to the Tweet.
In his response, he noted that he always believed that Ziggler was a ‘totally misused talent’ in his opinion and always enjoyed working with him:
Vince McMahon Wishes Seth Rollins A Happy Birthday
The Chairman Of The Board took to Twitter to wish WWE Intercontinental Champion Seth Rollins a Happy Birthday yesterday. The Architect turned 32-years-old:
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Rich Swann was released from WWE back in February for a domestic abuse incident that occurred with his wife. Since then, Swann and his wife have reconciled and he has begun working for IMPACT Wrestling.
PWInsider Elite’s Mike Johnson recently discussed the possibility of WWE bringing back Swann, and said he believes the company could bring him back at some point:
“I think WWE will bring him back at some point. Whenever somebody gets in trouble, WWE has them serve their penance and then they eventually get brought back into the fold. I think that is the process that Rich Swann is in right now. He’s working for Impact but he’s not signing a 5-year contract.”
H/T Ringside News for the transcriptions
Batista Praises Titus O’Neil
WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil took to Twitter to celebrate staying in shape at the age of 41. He’s nearing his goal of cutting down to 270 pounds, as he currently weighs 284. His good friend and former WWE Superstar, Batista, responded to O’Neil’s Tweet and praised him for his hard work:
284lbs now 6weeks from today I’ll be ready for a Lifelong Goal 2be reached&I’m excited about the process to go down to a Leaner 41 year old 270lb @Marvel Character ?? Has nothing to do with @WWE but everything to do with being a Blessed Man! @DaveBautista I’ll see you soon ? pic.twitter.com/zdeuhaQ7GK
Randy Orton is well known to the fans of the sports entertainment company as a top guy for the promotion. He is also known for his finishing move, which is great, to say the least. In recent years, he has worked a more limited schedule for the sports entertainment company. Orton is a third-generation professional wrestler. His grandfather Bob Orton, Sr., father “Cowboy” Bob Orton, and uncle Barry Orton all competed in the professional wrestling business. Recently on Twitter, Orton teased another match with former WWE Champion Dave Bautista at an upcoming WrestleMania event.
Although he is no longer a member of the WWE’s roster, the former WWE Champion will always be part of the WWE family. “The Animal” is one of the most successful WWE Superstars of all time as he has won six WWE World Titles, a four-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and a two-time Royal Rumble winner (2005 and 2014). He has not been with the company since late 2014 but has expressed interest in a potential match with Triple H one more time. He wrote the following on his official Twitter account:
“Avengers 3 was just as great the second time around! Who knows maybe I could headline #WrestleMania with #drax @DaveBautista someday.”
Avengers 3 was just as great the second time around! Who knows maybe I could headline #WrestleMania with #drax@DaveBautista someday ?
Batista Improvised A Hilarious Line In Avengers: Infinity War
Yahoo recently did an interview with two screenwriters from Avengers: Infinity War, and they shared a very interesting story about how former WWE Champion Batista improvised one of the more hilarious lines of the film:
“Then there’s Dave Bautista, the giant of a man behind Drax, who is quickly emerging as one of the funniest Avengers/Guardians, thanks to laugh-landing lines like, “Why is Gamora?,” which perfectly breaks the tension during a heated standoff between Iron Man and Star-Lord (Chris Pratt) on Titan.
““The script only said, ‘Where is Gamora?’ ‘I’ll do you even better: Who is Gamora?’ And then one day Bautista just goes, ‘I’ll do you one better: Why is Gamora?’” Markus recalled. “It’s like, ‘OK, you’re very good at your job.’””
The Miz Taunts Daniel Bryan
The Miz continues to tease Daniel Bryan now that they’re both on the same brand on SmackDown Live. He Tweeted out the following after Bryan lost his Money In The Bank Ladder Match qualifying bout to Rusev:
WWE Superstar Samoa Joe, who recently moved from Monday Night RAW to SmackDown Live by way of the Superstar Shake-Up, took to Twitter to note the amount of negativity he always see on social media.
Joe noted that he doesn’t really care too much for the comments, but stated one day the people leaving those comments will have to explain them to people in their lives who actually care:
Every morning I wake up with my social media rife with hate, racism, etc. I can only shake my head when I realize at some point your going to have to explain those statements to people in your life that actually care.
I think some of y’all think the last statement was to express “frustration” from me, it’s quite the opposite . Im good, I’m just amazed at how many of you self sabotage on social media. If anything it makes for great entertainment in ignorance
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Batista is set to appear on Jimmy Kimmel tomorrow night (Tues. April 24, 2018); alongside Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johannson, Danai Gurira and Tom Hiddleston, to promote the release of their new film Avengers: Infinity War.
Guardians cast members Michael Rooker and Sean Gunn sat in with Batista for a Q&A session at Awesome Con in Washington, D.C last weekend.
Batista is no longer a member of the WWE’s roster will always be part of the WWE family. “The Animal” is one of the most successful WWE Superstars of all time as he has won six WWE World Titles, a four-time WWE Tag Team Champion, and a two-time Royal Rumble winner (2005 and 2014).
He has not been with the company since late 2014. During this Q&A, he was asked about the rumors of a potential return to the WWE. If you recall, it’s been reported that Batista was interested in team up with Ronda Rousey to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon but WWE decided against bringing him back.
Batista stated in a response to the question, “I hope so.” (transcript courtesy of Wrestling Inc)
He was also asked about a memorable moment as part of Evolution alongside Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton.
“Well, off-screen, I wouldn’t be able to tell you publicly. On-screen, I think it was the time that we were all holding title belts. It was a great shot. It was I think the first time in history that a faction, a wrestling faction like that had like every world title. That was a moment that Randy (Orton) and I had arrived. You’ve probably seen the shot a million times where we were on stage, all holding the belts.”
CM Punk and Batista were both at the C2E2 expo in Chicago recently. An interaction between the two former wrestlers involved Punk not wanting to eat chickpeas.
Punk and Batista’s careers have followed a somewhat similar pattern. Both were champion wrestlers who left the business to pursue other interests. Each of them has a professional MMA fight on their resume, tho Batista won his and Punk lost.
They’ve each been employed by Marvel as well as Punk has written an edition of the Thor graphic novels and Batista has a reoccurring role in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. It does not appear they share the same interest in chickpeas, however.
As we’ve been reporting, Daniel Bryan’s WWE contract is set to expire this fall. Daniel Bryan will be a free agent on or about September 23rd, according to a report at PWInsider. Unfortunately, this would prevent Bryan from appearing at the big “All In” event from Chicago scheduled for 9/1.
– Online wrestling clothing store, Grplgme., recently asked former WWE Superstar Batista if he’d step in to face John Cena at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans next month. Batista said that match won’t happen, but did reveal he has been “very vocal” about a return to WWE.
Batista doubled down on his belief that his career inside the ring isn’t over, as he turned down a WWE Hall Of Fame induction.
Batista said a return hasn’t happened yet because of both scheduling and creative issues. He concluded by saying “Never say never, I would love to go back.” It should be noted Batista said last year that if he did come back to WWE he’d like it to be on a full-time schedule.
– One-half of the SmackDown Live Tag Team Champions Jimmy Uso recently did an interview with Sportskeeda. Jimmy was asked about a potential singles career down the road and was also asked if he’d be open to having a match with his brother, Jey, at WrestleMania. Here’s what he had to say:
“I don’t know man, never really thought about it,” Uso said. “As far as going singles, it really hasn’t crossed my mind, because we have so much more left to do in the tag division. The Usos have so much more to give. People haven’t seen all of us. … Another dream match would be me vs. my brother at WrestleMania.
“I grew up watching Bret vs Owen in a cage match, and they beat the living hell out of each other. I thought it was really cool, what they did. And they’ve been doing that all their lives. That’s the same way I see us whenever we get the chance for that to happen. But as far as a singles run right now, we’re just concentrating on the tag division.”
– Last night former WWE Superstar Batista hung out with Chris Jericho, Christian, Natalya, Tyson Kidd, and Baron Corbin at an “80s Night” Walk To Cure Diabetes event. You can check out some photos here:
– Kavita Devi, the first female professional wrestler of Indian nationality to wrestle in WWE, recently reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, according to Squared Circle Sirens.
A former powerlifter who won gold while representing India at the 2016 South Asian Games, Devi began her wrestling career the very same year training under The Great Khali. She participated in the Mae Young Classic last summer, where Dakota Kai eliminated her in the first round. The match drew a lot of interest as it was WWE’s most watched YouTube video related to the Mae Young Classic with over 17 million views.
“It was a privilege to be the first Indian woman to compete in WWE,” Devi said. “Participating in the Mae Young Classic with some of the best female performers in the world was a great learning experience. Now I am looking forward to pursuing my dream of becoming the first WWE Women’s Champion from India.”
– On Thursday at the 2018 Freedom Fund Dinner in Tampa, Florida, the Tampa Chapter of the NAACP honored Titus O’Neil with the Reverend Hosea Williams Award for his community service.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Be9t7gwhNsX/
O’Neil’s longtime friend, Dave Bautista, was in attendance as he posted the following on Twitter congratulating him.
Former WWE World Champion Batista recently stated during an interview on WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross’ podcast, The Ross Report, that he’d be open to returning to WWE for one last run. Per a report from Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Newsletter, “The Animal” is actually serious about returning to the company for one final lengthy run (six months to a year) as a full-time competitor.
Batista does have the option to work a schedule similar to that of Goldberg or Brock Lesnar, however, the belief is that he prefers something more along the lines of what Chris Jericho usually does. A key issue with a return for Batista, however, would be if he is offered another role in a Hollywood film during his time under contract with WWE.
The film company and Batista would have to include WWE in negotiations because the company owns your contract when you’re signed. This could make getting a deal done between Batista and WWE difficult.
Posted December 21st, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Batista.
As noted before, Batista was a guest on Jim Ross’ The Ross Report Podcast recently where he revealed that he has talked to Vince McMahon about a potential WWE return. Below are some more highlights from his appearance on the show:
Upsetting Vince McMahon:
“I pissed him off a lot. I pissed him off to the point where he actually said to me one day, he said, ‘do you know what I want to do to you right now? I want to slap the s–t out of you!’ I couldn’t believe he was saying this to me! I was like, ‘man.’ All I could do was laugh and that made him more pissed. But I think it got to the point where I think Vince knew that I was in it for the right reasons. I think he knew that I wanted to be there and that I was good for the company.”
How it’s important for WWE Superstars to develop a relationship with Vince:
“It is important to develop that relationship, but, at the same time, Vince can smell a bulls–tter. He knows if you’re just trying to kiss his ass. All those guys know. They knew. But it is [important]. [Ross] put it perfectly: don’t give them a reason to not want to do business with you.”
His advice for up and coming pro wrestlers:
“I usually just tell them to shut up, listen, pay attention, and work your ass off because I think that’s what they’re looking for right off the bat, it’s just a work ethic. Unless you grow up and you’re a legacy and you’ve been around it your whole life, it’s something that’s a little unnatural. But I think it’s also, you’ve got to walk in there without a big ego. You’ve got to check your ego at the door and just be willing to listen and just work your ass off, man, which is much easier said than done. It’s a hard business, man. It’s physical and those first couple months of training, they’re a nightmare. and you’re not calling in sick. If you’re calling in sick, pack your bag and go home. You’re coming into work, you’re beat up, you’re hurting, you’re in pain, but so is everybody else, so it’s just one of those things you just do and you suck it up.”
Getting advice from the Rock:
“I talked to him a while back because there was some mention of me joining one of The Fast and The Furious films. I called him and I wanted to get his opinion on it because I always think of it along the lines of professional wrestling. Like, I always thought he and I in a film would be smart booking. I thought it’s an easy sell. And I wondered if we did for our first film together a franchise that was already established, if it would take away from that, and I wanted his opinion on that and he didn’t seem to think so. He has always been very good to me, even from day one, even early in my career. he was always that cool to me, that gracious, and I think a lot of it had to do with because I had broken in with his family, but he was always good to me and it was the same when I brought up that film thing, just very gracious. And he said he would love to do it. He would love to do a film with me. We’re just waiting, I guess, for the right opportunity. Of course, he’s 10-times busier than I am, but hopefully something will come around. But yeah, I have kept in touch with him and I have picked his brain for advice and he has given me some really, really solid advice.”
Quotes via WrestlingInc
Posted November 28th, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Batista.
Since leaving WWE in 2014, after a short return, Batista has made a big name for himself in Hollywood. Starring in Guardians of the Galaxy, James Bond, Blade Runner, he has created a successful alternative career.
However, Batista recently featured on The Ross Report and explained that he has been in direct talks with Vince McMahon about returning to a full-time role in WWE, including house shows.
While some may consider this fantastic news, others have suggested that WWE has an age problem that wouldn’t be helped by the returning veteran. But the last time Batista appeared in 2014, he helped showcase younger talent, in the form of Daniel Bryan, and many are keen to see him do the same with the current rising stars of RAW and SmackDown Live.
The fact that he wants to work fulltime in WWE is an extremely positive endorsement for the company, especially considering the amount of money he would be making in Hollywood as Drax in the upcoming Avengers movie. Furthermore, Batista wouldn’t be able to return in full capacity before the end of any contracted Marvel, or other movie, requirements.
IMDB.com shows no future films of his in pre-production, and only 1 is listed as currently being filmed: IP Man: Cheung Tin Chi. Once he has completed all press related duties, he would be a free agent within Hollywood, leaving him open to returning to WWE after May 2018.
Perhaps SummerSlam?
Posted November 23rd, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Batista.
Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Batista recently did an interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross on his podcast, The Ross Report. During the interview “The Animal” discussed not being ready for the push he received early in his career with WWE, when he finally came into his own, and being upset with WWE that his WrestleMania 23 match with The Undertaker didn’t close the show. Here are the highlights:
Not being ready for his WWE push:
“There [were] a few people that believed in me and there [were] a few people that just didn’t know what the hell to make of me. And sometimes, I didn’t know what the hell to make of myself. I tell people I got into [pro] wrestling for all the wrong reasons. I was desperate, man. I was going on 30 [years old] and I didn’t have a dime to my name and I just didn’t know what to do with myself. I was somewhat of an athlete and I had somewhat of a look. I had some athletic capability, so I gave it a shot. And then, once I did, I just fell in love with it. I was obsessed with it, but often times, I found myself lost. I didn’t know what to do with myself, who to be. It was a big puzzle I was trying to figure out.
“Even when I moved up in WWE, I wasn’t ready. It took me a long time to figure out things. I just kind of… I just kept putting my best foot forward and kind of tried to show people I was working hard and that I really wanted it, but I was still trying to figure out that puzzle of being very much an introvert and it wasn’t easy. A lot of times, people took me the wrong way, so, no, it definitely wasn’t easy and I have to be the first to say I wasn’t ready.”
Coming into his own around his WrestleMania 23 match with The Undertaker:
“It was weird because by the time I came in for my first run with Take, going into WrestleMania 23, I believe it was, I was really starting to come into my own. And I think that match we had at WrestleMania was when I actually felt like I had really come into my own and I could really carry my own weight. I didn’t feel like people were carrying me through matches anymore or building me. It was actually that time that I could start to build other guys. That was that time when I felt like the company’s investment in me had paid off, that I was really going to start making some money for them, serious money for them.”
Being upset with WWE that his match with The Undertaker didn’t close WrestleMania:
“I was really upset that we weren’t the main event. I just felt like we should have been. We deserved to be. We set some milestones with that and I know with the exchange of title and everything, it was just more significant of a match. And I also just felt like Take deserved that to be the main event and should’ve gone on last. So I had a bit of a chip on my shoulder. It was [John] Cena/ Shawn [Michaels], I believe. And I just didn’t.. I felt like we got robbed of that top spot and we should’ve had it. And I felt like our match speaks for itself. I think we had the match of the night. And I just felt like Taker should have been the last thing that people saw that night, so I had a chip on my shoulder and I was a little bent out of shape that we didn’t.
“It was just a special night. It was the first time [Undertaker] held that particular title. And I still feel like we should’ve [closed the show]. Again, I say our match speaks for itself. I believe personally that we stole the show that night. I’ll just kind of leave it at that.”
You can listen to Batista’s interview on The Ross Report by clicking this link here.
– Per a report from Deadline, former WWE Superstar Batista has partnered up with STX Entertainment to produce and star in a new action-comedy franchise. No further details on the project have been announced but we’ll keep you updated.
– WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore took to Instagram to post the following workout clip in Los Angeles. Per a report from Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Amore has been walking around the city with the title on:
– According to a report from Deadline, former World Champion Batista has partnered with STX Entertainment to produce a new action-comedy movie franchise. He will also be starring in the films, though no further details have been revealed till now.
– Chris Jericho recently made an Instagram post and revealed which is his favorite match of his own long illustrious career. According to the former World Champion his Ladder match with Shawn Michaels from No Mercy 2008 is his favorite:
“When people ask me what my favorite match is, I always say the ladder match vs @officialshawnmichaels from No Mercy on Oct 5, 2008!. The match, the story, the build up, the finish…it was the culmination of one of the best told stories & angles in @wwe history! Thanks Shawn!”
Former WWE Superstar Dave Batista recently spoke to CinemaBuzz about his role in the new film Blade Runner 2049, which hits theaters October 6th.
Blade Runner 2049 is the sequel to Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking sci-fi film from 1982. The film takes place 30 years after the events in the original. A new Blade Runner, LAPD Officer K, must find Rick Deckard after unearthing a secret that could destroy society as they know it. The film co-stars Harrison Ford and Ryan Gosling.
It’s been a long journey for Batista, who started out as a WWE Superstar and transitioned to mixed martial arts before making it big in Hollywood. With successful films like House of the Rising Sun, The Man With The Iron Fists, James Bond: Spectre and the Guardians of the Galaxy Series among his credits, Batista admits it wasn’t easy breaking into Hollywood.
“Well it’s weird that you say that because I never think along those lines and when I left wrestling I really left to pursue acting,” he said. “I knew it was going to be a long route because I passed up a lot of the roles that you would think I would be after – the action roles, the typical ‘big ex wrestler’ roles.”
“I passed on those because I really wanted to prove myself as an actor and I wanted to prove to people that I don’t want to be a movie star. I want to be an actor. I just fell in love with it and it’s been a long route.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J833t59ffMM
As for the biggest challenge he faced in Hollywood, Batista said it was shaking his WWE image and the stereotype of being a pro wrestler.
“I think initally my biggest challenge was to get people to see past that persona I put on in WWE. To realize I wasn’t going to come into a room and try to intimidate everyone and start barking and screaming and growling at everyone and hitting people with chair. It was just to get past that stereotype”
Check out the official trailer for Blade Runner 2049:
Posted September 29th, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Batista.
– Bladerunner 2049 is set to hit theatres on October 6th and stars former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Batista, alongside the likes of Ryan Gosling, Harrison Ford, Jared Leto, Robin Wright, Edward James Olmos and more. In the second of three short prequels the the film, you can check out Batista as his character, Sapper Morton, who has been described as a replicant fugitive. Check it out here:
– As we’ve previously reported, WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Champ Kofi Kingston could have possibly suffered a leg injury earlier this week at a WWE Live Event in Honolulu, Hawaii. Kingston was cleared to wrestle at last night’s (Sat. September 16, 2017) Live Event in Osaka and is also set to compete in tonight’s event from Shenzhen, China.
Posted September 17th, 2017 in WWE, News. Tagged: Batista.
Former WWE Champion Batista recently spoke with Uproxx about various topics including coming up with his name in WWE, the storyline with D-Von Dudley, and more. Here are the highlights:
Reflecting on his Deacon Batista storyline with D-Von Dudley:
“Only in WWE. When I first came up, I did this character called Deacon Batista, so it was the same last name, but I was working with this guy named D-Von Dudley and he was doing this televangelist preacher type deal where he was collecting money and I held this big, goofy box and I was a security guard of his money box. So ridiculous. It was horrible.”
Receiving his ring name:
“I actually didn’t. All right, here’s the funny thing about that, because when I was …when I went up, when I was called up from OVW, which was our training facility, they changed my name and changed it to ‘Batista.’ I didn’t realized they changed the spelling of it. Well, I was told the reason they did that was so people would be able to pronounce it easier, and then I was told later by another wrestler, he said, ‘No, you dummy. They did that so they could own it. They just can’t own your name. They changed the spelling, now they own it.’ Which was true. I left WWE without my wrestling name, went back to my real name, and started over.”
WWE will hold the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony during WrestleMania 34 weekend in New Orleans. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, one name being floated as a possible headliner is Dave Bautista.
Other big names in play as future HOF headliners are The Undertaker and The Rock.
Batista’s Hollywood career has really taken off in recent years and he’ll have a big role (as ‘Drax’ from Guardians of the Galaxy) in Avengers: Infinity War, which hits theaters in May 2018.
Batista has been outspoken about WWE when asked about the company in interviews. He’s stated numerous times that he’d like to wrestle for WWE again, but only live events because he wants nothing to do with WWE’s writers and storylines.
During a recent appearance on Chris Jericho’s Talk is Jericho podcast, Batista said he actually pitched an idea to WWE about returning, but only if he could work a program with Triple H.
“I’ve asked, yeah, I’ve asked,” he said. “Well, there’s… I’ve asked for what I want. I’ll tell you and I’ve talked to Hunter about it and I’ve talked to Vince about it. I said I would come back and run a whole program with Hunter. That’s the only thing I’m interested in doing. They’re just not interested in it, you know?”
When asked if he’d return and work with anybody else besides Triple H, Batista said, “At this point, no, because it would be my retirement thing. It would be what I would go out on. I would come back and I’d do a whole program and then I’d be done.”
He still loves pro wrestling, but told Jericho “it’s just too much bullsh*t” working for the company. “Yeah, I miss it a lot. … There’s nothing like it, you know that. There’s just an adrenaline rush that goes along with it. What I don’t miss is the company, to be honest with you. I don’t miss WWE. I miss wrestling, I just don’t miss dealing with the company and its bullsh*t. Yeah it’s the bullsh*t man, it’s just too much bullsh*t.”
Former WWE Superstar Batista is featured in a new music video for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, which hit theaters on May 5th and has grossed over $388 million at the box office.
Batista, co-star Chris Pratt and David Hasselhoff, who had a cameo in Guardians 2, show off their musical prowess and out-there 1970’s style in this retro production.
The video is to promote the release of Guardians 2 on digital download (this Tuesday, August 8th) and DVD/Blu-Ray on August 22nd.
Batista has gotten rave reviews for his role as Drax The Destroyer in the Guardians series and has several more movies currently in post production. The Animal’s upcoming movies scheduled for 2017 releases include Hotel Artemis, Final Score and Blade Runner 2049. Next year, he’ll be appearing in Avengers: Infinity War and Escape Plan 2: Hades.