Batista is Set to Turn Heel Following WrestleMania XXX

Batista is set to turn heel following WrestleMania XXX. According to Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio and F4Wonline.com, the 2014 Royal Rumble Match winner will be positioned as a top “bad guy” for World Wrestling Entertainment following the thirtieth annual WrestleMania Pay-Per-View on April 6.

Batista returned to a mediocre reception on Jan. 20, just six days before the 2014 “Royal Rumble” PPV. During his first address to the WWE Universe in over four years, “The Animal” claimed that he would win the 30-man Royal Rumble Match, and go on to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX.

Step one of Batista’s plan came to fruition on Jan. 26, as he entered the Royal Rumble Match at number 28, and was the last man standing at the end of the night. However, due to his long absence from the company, and because the fan favorite, Daniel Bryan, was not even featured in the Rumble Match, the WWE Universe turned on “The Animal” both during the “Royal Rumble” PPV, and on “Monday Night Raw” the following night. Turning Batista heel should be a very easy process for WWE given the immediate response for the six-time champion, however he will remain face for a few more months.

With his position in the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXX secure, Batista is rumored to be facing Alberto Del Rio at the “Elimination Chamber” PPV on Feb. 23. The two have been verbally feuding since Batista’s return was announced, and now it seems that before Batista gets to WrestleMania, he has to play the babyface in a program with Del Rio. This match will likely be a massive win for Batista, setting him up as a dominant “good guy” character going into the “Showcase of the Immortals.”

As of Jan. 28, Batista is slated to face current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans on April 6, however these plans could change. If the current booking stands, Batista would play the “good guy” to Orton’s heel character (although the response for Orton as of late has been absolutely nothing). Batista could turn at WrestleMania, or the night after on “Monday Night Raw.”

When the turn will happen is uncertain, but given that Batista’s best run in the company was as a heel, and the company’s lack of main event “bad guys” is as evident as ever, it is likely that “The Animal” goes bad as soon as the WWE allows him too.