News on Batista’s Future as an In-Ring Competitor

A new report from PWInsider.com has provided some backstage news on Batista’s future as an in-ring competitor. According to reports, many people in WWE believe that Batista will never return to the company as a “full-time” performer ever again.

Batista signed a contract with WWE in 2013 that would bring him back to the company in January of 2014. The original plan for the former champion was to have him return to the company, win the 2014 Royal Rumble match, win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Randy Orton at WrestleMania XXX, then work a program with the likes of John Cena, Brock Lesnar, Triple H, and other big names until the Summer came.

Then, Batista would be free to leave and promote the Marvel film he would soon star in, “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which prior to its release was a big risk on the studio’s part and none of the stars knew whether or not the film would be successful. Batista’s contract has him returning in the Fall of 2014 to again work in a “full-time” capacity through the remainder of the year and into 2015.

However, plans changed. CM Punk quit. Daniel Bryan rose to the top of the ladder due to a ground swell of fan support, and Batista was thrown under the bus as a returning “part-timer” who was coming back to WWE to steal the spotlight away from workhorse competitors such as Bryan. Fans believed Batista was just handed the 2014 Royal Rumble victory, which in turn would be a lock win for “The Animal” at WrestleMania XXX. They were not impressed.

Batista became BOO-tista, as the fans rebelled against his return. It was not anything against him, as after a month or so, he had shaken off the ring rust and was performing well in the ring. The fans had just rallied behind Bryan, and then didn’t want anyone coming in from the outside that would take away from the company “YES man” from getting his shining moment on a WrestleMania stage.

Fans hijacked “RAW,” as well as the company, and WWE executives had to change script. Bryan was added to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXX, and went home victorious. The championship promised to Batista upon his return, was given to someone else.

This would see the return of WWE faction Evolution for a brief run with up-and-coming stars The Shield, which worked for every man involved. It highlighted Triple H, Randy Orton, and Batista, as well as elevated Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns to main event status.

On June 2, Batista would “quit” the company on “Monday Night Raw,” in a storyline departure from WWE. He actually left to promote “Guardians of the Galaxy,” which would becoming the biggest box-office smash of the Summer, earning critical and fan praise world-wide.

While Batista has said that he will be returning to WWE, the question is when, many backstage think that Batista will never return to work a five-month span like he did at the beginning of 2014. If and when he does return, many believe that he will return to work certain dates here-and-there to finish out his contract, and then he’ll be gone for good.

Batista’s future with WWE has been discussed a lot as of late in the company locker rooms and offices. Originally, everyone believed that he would return and join right back into the Authority vs Shield storyline that is ongoing between Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, and Kane. Batista was even expected to return and work “Night Of Champions” in this capacity. However, this may no longer be the case, due to “Guardians of the Galaxy” being a success.

After receiving rave reviews for his performance in the film, other studios began contacting Dave Bautista about starring in other films. It is believed that he is now questioning if he should return at all, because he is now seen as an asset to the movie industry, and if he were to get injured, it could put his movie career at risk. Some studios will not even hire Batista if he is expected to be working in the ring as well, mainly due to the risk factor of their star getting hurt before filming.

Batista is still currently signed to a WWE contract, and should return to work soon, but everyone is talking about what kind of work it is he’ll be doing upon his return. While Batista wants his retirement match to be with Triple H at WrestleMania, some truly believe that he may not come back at all.

Editor’s Note:
He’s signed to a deal. Unless he pulls a CM Punk, I expect him back. We may even see him back soon on “Monday Night Raw” to challenge Randy Orton. We’ll see.