Batista has always been rumored to be in the cards to return for a final run, and he recently told Jim Ross that he’s been talking to WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon about this return.
The WWE is always interested in bringing big names from the past back in the fold for a memorable run before WrestleMania, or for a key match at one of the “Big Four” pay per views. Last year, Goldberg returned for a long-running feud with Brock Lesnar that involved the Universal Championship, and the Undertaker coronated Roman Reigns in the main event of WrestleMania 33.
One name that has surfaced in rumors lately is Batista, who hasn’t wrestled a match in the WWE since Payback 2014 when the Shield defeated Evolution. Batista split due to creative differences, but there’s always been a feeling that a return could happen, especially if the WWE brings “The Animal” back as a heel.
Recently, Batista told “The Ross Report”, Jim Ross’s podcast, that he and Vince McMahon have spoken about a return. He also made it clear that he wants to return to do a program with Triple H, adding that he doesn’t want his return to be a “one-off” for a “cheap pop”. His outlook on his return is an example of how much Batista loves wrestling and cares about the business, and it’s hard not to respect him.
Unfortunately for those interested in seeing a Batista run next year, there’s no guarantee that will happen. In Cageside Seats’s “Rumor Roundup”, there’s a blurb stating that Batista isn’t expected to return to a WWE ring “anytime soon”, despite the positive buzz. That’s likely because the logistics of it may be hard to set up, or because Vince may not be willing to give Batista what he wants creatively.
Although many WWE fans dislike it when older wrestlers from the past return, Batista isn’t like the regular part-timer. As he said, he wants to do house shows and be a regular part of the program, as opposed to someone who comes in for that nostalgia pop.
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I have a feeling we will see Batista return at some point, and both parties should be willing to make this happen. Batista sounds ready to wrestle again, and there’s no reason the WWE should turn him down if he has the itch.