Batista Lands Big Role in “KickBoxer” Re-Make; More Time Off Expected

The latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter claims that Batista has landed a big role in an upcoming re-boot of the “Kickboxer” film franchise. This means Batista, who will be taking some time off following WWE “Payback” on June 1 to promote his upcoming film “Guardians of the Galaxy,” will again have to bow out of competition sometime near the end of the year in order to go shoot the movie on location.

Batista returned to WWE in Jan. after signing a two-year contract. According to reports, his contract allows him to take a few months off here-and-there to film movies, as acting has been his passion since departing from the company the first time in 2010. Batista is one of the lead roles in the upcoming Marvel release, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” and has been in a number of other notable films. 

Many stories regarding Batista’s WWE return have made it out to sound like he has not been pleased since his arrival. He was slated to win the 2014 Royal Rumble Match, go to WrestleMania XXX, and defeat Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. However, the WWE Universe protested these plans from the start, wanting Daniel Bryan in those slots allotted to Batista. WWE officials listened to the fans, and although Batista won the Royal Rumble Match and was in the main event of WrestleMania XXX, Bryan was added to the mix and became champion instead.

Rumors have since hit the Internet saying Batista regrets coming back. Some have said he refused to work with Bryan at “Payback” and then agreed to stick around and work a second Evoltuion vs. The Shield bout, while others claim that this isn’t true, and that Batista has no issue with Bryan getting the rub and strap that he was originally supposed to get.

Regardless, Batista will be returning to action sometime following the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy” (likely at “SummerSlam”), but will then have to take another leave-of-absence following “Night of Champions” to film “Kickboxer.” 

Editor’s Note:
They’re re-making “Kickboxer?”