WWE: Batista will be a part of the 2020 Hall of Fame class

WWE is announcing its 2020 Hall of Fame inductees, and Batista will be one of the wrestlers honored at the ceremony during WrestleMania weekend in Tampa.

Batista is one of the most recognizable names in WWE, given his success in wrestling and, now, in film. He is a six-time world champion, cut some of the best promos in wrestling over the past 20 years, was a key villain in Daniel Bryan’s memorable underdog story at WrestleMania 30, appeared in the James Bond film Spectre, and plays “Drax the Destroyer” in the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy films.

So it’s a no-brainer for Batista to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, and he’s already going in this year as part of the 2020 class. “The Animal” competed in his final match at WrestleMania 35 last year, finally getting a chance to end his storied career with a No Holds Barred match against long-time rival Triple H. He went out with a bang, putting over “The Game”, who had never beaten Batista in his own illustrious career.

News of Batista’s induction to the Hall of Fame was first reported by People Magazine.

Of course, while Batista told PEOPLE that he was elated by the news, he wasn’t exactly surprised either. After all, he is one of the greatest to ever step foot in a WWE ring.

"“Vince [McMahon] called me personally to ask me, I was just … I wasn’t surprised, but I was pretty happy. It’s a good feeling, it’s a really great feeling.”"

ESPN also reported that the nWo will be inducted this year at the ceremony over WrestleMania 36 weekend. It will be interesting to see who else gets the nod in 2020, as legends like Stevie Ray and Luna Vachon have been waiting for their well-deserved honors for some time.

Batista only had to wait a year, but he is definitely a deserving first-ballot Hall of Famer. (I mean, that’s basically the statement Vince McMahon, who ultimately decides all the inductions, is making here.)

He called his match with Triple H a “storybook” ending. It’s safe to say it was a fitting end to his great career, and the build to the dream ‘Mania match included some incredible soundbites and moments, such as the oft-meme’d “Give me what I want!”

The former “Deacon Batista”, he won four tag titles and two Royal Rumbles in addition to his six world titles.

And I, for one, cannot wait to hear the down-to-earth (but equally good-humored) Batista give his Hall of Fame speech in April.