Revision 5398672 of "Dave Batista" on simplewiki

{{Infobox wrestler
|name=Dave Batista
|names='''Batista'''<br />Deacon Bautista<br />Leviathan<br />Kahn
|image=Dave Batista - Guardians of the Galaxy premiere - July 2014 (cropped).jpg
|img_capt=Batista at the premiere of ''Guardians of the Galaxy'' in July 2014
|height={{height|ft=6|in=3}}
|weight={{convert|272|lb}}
|birth_date ={{Birth date and age|1969|01|18|mf=y}}
|birth_place =[[Arlington County, Virginia]]
|resides=[[Tampa, Florida]]
|billed=[[Washington, D.C.]]
|trainer=[[Afa Anoa'i]]
|debut=1997
|retired=
}}
'''David Michael Bautista''' (born January 18, 1969),<ref name="official">[http://web.archive.org/web/20061201050622/http://www.demon-wrestling.com/db/about.php About Batista at his official site]</ref> better known as '''Dave Batista''' or by the ring name '''Batista''', is an [[Americans|American]] [[professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], [[actor]], [[Mixed martial arts|mixed martial artist]], and [[Bodybuilding|bodybuilder]]. Batista is currently signed to the [[WWE]].

Batista has held the World Heavyweight Championship three times, the World Tag Team Championship 3 times (with Ric Flair (2) and John Cena (1)), the WWE Tag Team Championship once (with Rey Mysterio) and the [[WWE Championship]] once. He also won the Royal Rumble twice, one in 2005, and the other in 2014.

He [[marriage|married]] his wife Angie on October 13, 1998 and has two daughters and one step daughter from a prior marriage,<ref>[http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1176985/bio ''Wedding date on IMDb'']</ref> In 2006, Batista said that he and his wife are separated.<ref>'''"WWE Magazine"''', August 2006, ''"Animal's House"'' pp. 54-58. (English)</ref>

== Career ==
Batista tried out at the [[World Championship Wrestling|WCW]] [[WCW Power Plant|Power Plant]] but was told he would never make it in the wrestling business by [[Buddy Lee Parker|Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker]].<ref name="aboutcom">[http://prowrestling.about.com/od/thewrestlers/p/batista.htm About.com article on Batista]</ref> He then went to the WWF. They sent him to work with [[Afa Anoa'i]]. He wrestled in Anoa'i's [[World Xtreme Wrestling|WXW]] [[professional wrestling promotion|promotion]] under the '''Kahn'''.<ref name="aboutcom" />

=== Ohio Valley Wrestling (2000-2002) ===
Batista made his [[Ohio Valley Wrestling]] debut in 2000. During his time in OVW he was called ''Leviathan''. He went on to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship from 'The Machine' [[Doug Basham]]. After losing the belt to [[John Cena|The Prototype]], Batista left OVW for the WWF.

=== World Wrestling Entertainment ===
He began his WWE career on May 9 2002 as '''Deacon Bautista''',<ref name="aboutcom" /><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - May 9, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/020509.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista had his first WWE match in a tag match teaming with [[Devon Hughes|D-Von]] against [[Randy Orton]] and [[Ron Simmons|Faarooq]]. Batista pinned Orton to win that match.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - June 27, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/020627.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista later moved to ''[[RAW]]'', and was renamed '''Dave Batista''' (or simply '''Batista'''). He joined with [[Ric Flair]]<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - November 18, 2002 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/021118.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> and fought many times with [[Glen Jacobs|Kane]], whom he beat in his first [[pay-per-view]] at [[WWE Armageddon|Armageddon 2002]].<ref>{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 112 | language = English}}</ref>

==== 2003-2004 ====
In January 2003, Batista joined with [[Triple H]], [[Ric Flair]], and [[Randy Orton]] to form the group [[Evolution (professional wrestling)|Evolution]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - January 27, 2003 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/030127.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista did not wrestle for much of 2003 after he tore his right [[Triceps brachii muscle|triceps]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Live Event - March 1, 2003 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/liveevent/030301r.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista re-tore his triceps while training. He had more problems when after his second [[surgery]] to repair his triceps he got an [[infection]]. He needed a third surgery to clean out the infection. He made his return on October 20 interfering in a match between [[Bill Goldberg|Goldberg]] and [[Shawn Michaels]].

At Armageddon 2003, Batista took part in two matches. He lost to [[Shawn Michaels]] in a singles match but won a [[Tag team]] along with Ric Flair to become the [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Champions]]. By the end of the PPV, all four members of Evolution held every male championship on ''RAW''.<ref>{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 114 | language = English}}</ref>

Batista and Flair held the titles until February 16 2004 when they were defeated by [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] and [[Rob Van Dam]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - February 16, 2004 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040216.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> They later won the titles back for a short period.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - March 22, 2004 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/040322.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref>

==== 2005 ====
[[File:David-Michael-Bautista-denis-apel-edited.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Batista during his first [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] reign]]
As 2005 began, Triple H believed that Batista was becoming a threat to his World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H told Batista not enter the [[Royal Rumble]]. He said it would be selfish of him to do so, and that he should be helping Triple H keep the title. Dave entered anyway and went on to win the ''Royal Rumble''. This earned him the right to wrestle in the main event of [[WrestleMania 21]] against the World Champion of his choice.<ref name="PWI Staff 2007 117">{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 117 | language = English}}</ref>

In an attempt to get Batista to challenge [[WWE Championship|WWE Champion]] [[John Layfield|John "Bradshaw" Layfield]] rather than him, Triple H created a plan to have Batista run over in a [[limousine]] similar the one used by Layfield. At first, Batista did not want help from Evolution in dealing with JBL. Triple H said that Evolution needed to stick together and went with him anyway. Triple H saved him from the [[vehicle]] before he got hit.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - February 14, 2005 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050214.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista found out about the plan while listening Evolution members when they did not know he was there. He signed a [[contract]] for a match with World Champion Triple H at WrestleMania 21.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=RAW - February 21, 2005 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/raw/050221.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Batista went on to win the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] on April 3 2005 at [[WrestleMania 21]].<ref name="PWI Staff 2007 117"/>

On June 30 2005 Batista was moved back to SmackDown!<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - June 30, 2005 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/050630.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> JBL and Batista wrestled for the championship at the Great American Bash on July 24 2005. JBL defeated Batista by disqualification after the referee saw Batista use a steel [[chair]].<ref name="PWI Staff 2007 118">{{cite news | author = PWI Staff | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated presents: 2007 Wrestling almanac & book of facts | work = "Wrestling’s historical cards" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | date = 2007 | pages = 118 | language = English}}</ref> They wrestled at [[SummerSlam]] on August 21 2005 in a [[No-Holds-Barred match]]. Batista pinned JBL to win the championship title.<ref name="PWI Staff 2007 118"/>

WWE.com reported that Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back at the taping for the November 11 2005 edition of ''SmackDown!''.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - November 11, 2005 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/051111.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Plans had been made for Batista to defend the title in a match with Eddie Guerrero and Randy Orton on November 18 2005. The match did not take place because of the death of [[Eddie Guerrero]] on November 13 2005.

==== 2006 ====
On January 9 2006, WWE.com announced that Batista tore his right triceps following a match with [[Mark Henry]] at a live event on January 8, 2006. The following day, WWE.com announced that, due to his injury, Batista was forced to give up the [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] at the ''[[WWE Friday Night SmackDown!|SmackDown!]]'' taping on January 10 2006 (aired on January 13 2006). Batista had surgery on his arm on January 12, 2006.

Batista made his return on July 7, 2006. Batista won his first televised match since his return, a six man tag match with [[Rey Mysterio]] and [[Bobby Lashley|Lashley]] taking on [[Booker T (wrestler)|King Booker]], [[Dave Finlay|Finlay]] and Mark Henry. Oddly, Mark Henry was injured, and could not wrestle in the match between the two at [[WWE The Great American Bash|The Great American Bash]]. Batista made several tries to win back the championship title before finally winning it back from [[Booker Huffman|Booker T]] on November 26, 2006.

==== 2007 ====
Two months later at [[WrestleMania 23]], Batista lost the championship to the winner of the Royal Rumble match, [[The Undertaker]].<ref>{{cite news | author = McElvaney, Kevin | title = Pro Wrestling Illustrated, July 2007| work = "WrestleMania 23" | publisher = Kappa Publishing | year = 2007| month = June | pages = 74-101 | language = English}}</ref> They continued to fight over the title to a tie in a match at [[WWE Backlash|Backlash 2007]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Backlash 2007 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/backlash07.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> After a [[Steel Cage Match]] between the two men on May 11, [[Edge (wrestler)|Edge]] won the title from the Undertaker by using his [[Money in the Bank ladder match|Money in the Bank]] title opportunity.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=SmackDown - May 11, 2006 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/smackdown/070511.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref> Afterwards, Batista challenged Edge three times but never won the championship. The third match included the statement that if Batista lost, he could no longer get another chance at the World Heavyweight Championship while Edge remains champion.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Vengeance 2007 Results |url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/results/wweppv/vengeance07.html |work= |publisher=Online World of Wrestling |date= |accessdate=2007-07-08 }}</ref>

Edge later was injured and gave up the belt just before he was to wrestle Kane at the 2007 Great American Bash pay-per-view. [[The Great Khali]] became the new World Heavyweight Champion, winning a [[Battle royal (professional wrestling)|Battle Royal]] and eliminating Batista. Batista and Kane faced Khali at The Great American Bash where Khali retained the title. Batista finally defeated Khali, and [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.]], at [[WWE Unforgiven]] to claim his third World Heavyweight Championship after eight consecutive tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wwe.com/shows/unforgiven/matches/|title=Unforgiven 2007 Results|accessdate=2007-09-16|publisher=World Wrestling Entertainment}}</ref> Batista is the second man to [[Pin (professional wrestling)|pin]] The Great Khali, the first being [[John Cena]].

==== 2010 ====

Batista then became involved in WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Bret Hart's rivalry in February 2010 by assisting McMahon in attacking Hart; John Cena attempted to save Hart, but would end up being assaulted by Batista. On February 21 at Elimination Chamber, as payment for Batista attacking Hart, McMahon allowed Batista to face Cena for the WWE Championship right after Cena won the title in an Elimination Chamber match. Batista would win the match and his second WWE Championship, which resulted in Batista moving back to Raw. On March 28 at WrestleMania XXVI Batista lost the WWE Championship to John Cena in a rematch, ending his reign at 35 days. Batista received his rematch for the title in a Last Man Standing on April 25 at Extreme Rules, but was defeated by Cena after Cena duct-taped his legs around a ring post, preventing him from standing up. Batista and Cena faced off once again for the WWE Championship on May 23 at Over the Limit, but failed again to regain the title from Cena in an "I Quit" match. The following night on ''Raw'', Batista opened the show in a wheelchair and claimed he would be pursuing legal action against Cena and the WWE for his injuries (which he revealed in 2014 to be a legitimate compression fracture of his L1 spine). His promo was interrupted by new ''Raw'' General Manager Bret Hart, who requested he face an injured Randy Orton to qualify for a shot at WWE Championship against Cena again at the new Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view. Batista refused and quit the company after Hart named Orton winner by forfeit. His profile was subsequently moved to the WWE.com alumni page. He later said in an interview that he left WWE because he did not like the direction the company was going in and would not be returning any time soon.

==== Return to WWE (2014 - present) ====

On the 23 December 2013 episode of ''Raw'', a vignette aired announcing the return of Batista on the 20 January 2014 episode of ''Raw''. It was later announced that Batista would be participating in the 2014 Royal Rumble Match. Batista returned to confront [[WWE World Heavyweight Championship|WWE World Heavyweight Champion]] Randy Orton on the January 20 ''Raw'', and vowed to win Royal Rumble Match and become champion at WrestleMania. Later that night, Batista confronted [[Alberto Del Rio]], who had been trash talking him for several weeks, and eventually attacked him with a ''Batista Bomb''. Six days later at the Royal Rumble, Batista entered the Rumble match at number 28 and eliminated [[Roman Reigns]] to win the match, becoming the fifth wrestler to win multiple Rumble matches. The live crowd reacted negatively towards Batista, cheering Reigns (a villainous character for the past year) and [[Daniel Bryan]] (who was not in the match). The crowd continued to boo Batista after Reigns was eliminated. After the show went off the air, Batista mocked Bryan and gestured his middle finger at the crowd. On the February 3 ''Raw'', Batista was confronted and was ultimately assaulted by Del Rio before chasing him off. Batista retaliated the following week, powerbombing Del Rio through the announce table. At the Elimination Chamber event and on the following ''Raw'', he was heavily booed by the fans during matches against Del Rio. Batista won the match at Elimination Chamber, but continued to suffer a torrid fan reaction with 'Boo-tista' chants. Batista responded to the audience on the February 28 ''SmackDown'', saying he didn't come back to be liked and promising to be the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, thus reverting to being a villain once again and mocking other superstars stating they weren't "real men".  Bryan was added to the WrestleMania main event after defeating Triple H in the opening match of the show. Bryan would ultimately win the triple threat match at [[WrestleMania XXX]], forcing Batista to tap out and winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in the process.

The next night on ''Raw'', Batista and Orton teamed together to face [[The Usos]] for the WWE Tag Team Championships, but the match ended in a no contest due to both teams being counted out. Later that night, Batista and Orton, along with Kane, attacked Bryan before he was set to defend his title against Triple H. Before Triple H could defeat Bryan, The Shield interrupted by spearing Triple H and taking out Batista, Orton and Kane, causing Bryan to retain his title via disqualification. On the April 14 edition of ''Raw'', Batista, Triple H and Randy Orton came down to the ring to attack The Shield after their 11-on-3 handicap match, using the name and the theme of Evolution. At Extreme Rules, Evolution lost to The Shield. At Payback, Evolution lost to The Shield again. On June 2 edition of ''Raw'', Batista (kayfabe) quit WWE after Triple H denied him a shot at the WWE World Heavyweight Championship; this was done to write Batista off WWE TV so he could promote ''Guardians of the Galaxy''.

== Championships and accomplishments ==
[[File:Batista with World Heavyweight Championship.jpg|right|thumb|Batista during his second World Heavyweight Championship reign]]
* '''[[Ohio Valley Wrestling]]'''
** [[OVW Heavyweight Championship]] (1 time) <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ky/ovw/ovw-h.html#last|title=O.V.W. Heavyweight Title|accessdate=2007-07-19|publisher=Wrestling-Title.com}}</ref>
* '''[[Pro Wrestling Illustrated]]'''
** PWI ranked him # '''1''' of the 500 best singles wrestlers in the [[Pro Wrestling Illustrated|PWI 500]] in 2005.
** [[PWI Most Improved Wrestler of the Year]] award in 2005 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiimp.htm|title=Wrestling Information Archive - Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners - Most Improved Wrestler of the Year|accessdate=2007-07-19|publisher=Pro Wrestling Illustrated}}</ref>
** [[PWI Wrestler of the Year]] award in 2005 <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwiwoty.htm|title=Wrestling Information Archive - Pro Wrestling Illustrated Award Winners - Wrestler of the Year|accessdate=2007-07-19|publisher=Pro Wrestling Illustrated}}</ref>
* '''[[World Wrestling Entertainment]]'''
** [[World Heavyweight Championship (WWE)|World Heavyweight Championship]] ([[List of World Heavyweight Champions (WWE)|4 times]])<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldheavyweight/243931811 ''Batista's World Heavyweight Title History]</ref>
** [[WWE Tag Team Championship]] (1 time) - with [[Rey Mysterio, Jr.|Rey Mysterio]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/wwetag/1806054 ''Batista and Rey Mysterio's WWE Tag Team Title History]</ref>
** [[World Tag Team Championship (WWE)|World Tag Team Championship]] (2 times) - with [[Ric Flair]]<ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321151 ''Batista and Ric Flair's World Tag Team Title History]</ref><ref>[http://www.wwe.com/inside/titlehistory/worldtagteam/3044541321421 ''Batista and Ric Flair's 2nd World Tag Team Title History]</ref>
** [[Royal Rumble]] (2005, 2014)
** [[WWE Championship]] (2 times)
* '''[[Wrestling Observer Newsletter]]'''
** [[Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards#Feud of the Year|Feud of the Year]] award in 2005 - vs Triple H

=== Steroid allegations ===
In August 2007, Batista was said to have used [[anabolic steroid]] after an [[ESPN]] article released the names of wrestlers that bought [[medication]] from Signature Pharmacy of [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]].<ref>[http://www.pwmania.com/newsarticle.php?page=190520875 ''Batista is one of the names released by ESPN as a client of Signature of Orlando.'']</ref> Batista denied this and was said to be very mad because of the report. He denied ever being a [[wikt:customer|cutomer]] of Signature, and stated that he has been "tested regularly by the WWE, and I am in full compliance with the WWE Wellness Program."<ref>[http://www.headlineplanet.com/base/articles/1188883918.html ''Batista publicly denies steroid allegations.'']</ref> The WWE punished ten wrestlers named in the issue, though Batista was not one of them.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2998062 ''WWE suspends 10 for 'wellness policy' violations - Original ESPN report'']</ref>

==Departure from World Wrestling Entertainment and MMA debut==
Batista quit [[WWE]] on May 24, 2010. He went to [[MMA]] on June 16, 2010. He won a fight against [[Vince Lucero]].

== Filmography ==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 2006
| ''[[Relative Strangers]]''
| Cameo role
| [[Direct-to-video]]
|-
| 2009
| ''[[My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done?]]''
| Police Officer
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2010
| ''[[Wrong Side of Town]]''
| Big Ronnie 'B.R.'
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2011
| ''[[House of the Rising Sun (movie)|House of the Rising Sun]]''
| Ray
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2011
| ''{{sortname|The|Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption}}''
| Argomael
| Direct-to-video
|-
| 2012
| ''{{sortname|The|Man with the Iron Fists}}''
| Brass Body
|
|-
| 2013
| ''[[Riddick (movie)|Riddick]]''
| Diaz
| 
|-
| 2014
| ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy (movie)|Guardians of the Galaxy]]''
| [[Drax the Destroyer]]
| 
|}

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Other websites ==
{{Commons category|David Bautista|Dave Batista}}
* [http://www.wwe.com/superstars/batista WWE Profile]
* [http://www.demon-wrestling.com Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/demonwrestling Official Myspace Site]
* [http://www.genickbruch.com/dandy/exklusiv.php?&interview=193&version=original Batista/Leviathan Interview on Genickbruch.com]

{{WWE personnel}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Batista, Dave}}
[[Category:1969 births]]
[[Category:Actors from Washington, D.C.]]
[[Category:American mixed martial artists]]
[[Category:American professional wrestlers]]
[[Category:Doping cases in sport]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Arlington, Virginia]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Virginia]]
[[Category:WWE wrestlers]]