 David Michael (Dave) Batista, better known simply as Batista was born in January 18, 1966 or 1969 in Arlington County, Virginia. He is a Filipino-Greek American professional wrestler currently working for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand, where he is the reigning World Heavyweight Champion. Batista loved to dress in suits and sun-glasses. He is one of the most fan favorite WWE Superstars at the moment. |
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Batista Early Career:
Before getting into professional wrestling, Batista worked as a bouncer in various clubs, and was once arrested for brawling with a man even though his actions were taken in self-defense.
Batista's wrestling career began when he met Curt Hennig and Joseph Laurinaitis (Road Warrior Animal) at a bodybuilding meeting. He tried out at the WCW Power Plant but was told he'd never make it in the wrestling business. He then went to the WWF who sent him to work with Afa Anoai. He wrestled in Anoai's WXW promotion under the name Kahn.
He made his TV debut in Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2000, joining forces with Synn. During his tenure in OVW he used the name Leviathan. As a member of the Disciples of Synn stable he won the OVW Heavyweight Championship from 'The Machine' Doug Basham. After losing the belt to The Prototype, Synn felt Batista was getting too independent and "sold" him to Reverend D-Von to begin his WWE career.
World Wrestling Entertainment
After establishing himself as a monster through a series of squash matches, including one where he maliciously and relentlessly attacked Tajiri, sending him to the hospital for a long recovery, he aligned himself with Ric Flair and feuded with Kane, getting a couple of wins over Kane. Batista's pay-per-view debut was at Armageddon 2002 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he defeated Kane.
World Heavyweight Champion
At Backlash, on May 1, 2005, Batista once again faced Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Batista retained the title, but continued to feud with Triple H.
On May 23, 2005 Batista also successfully defeated Edge to retain his title. After the match, Batista was betrayed by Ric Flair who helped Triple H viciously attack Batista. During the brutal attack, Triple H said to Batista, "Hell-in-a-Cell" setting up a match at Vengeance. At Vengeance 2005, Batista survived the pedigree and won the Hell in a Cell match. With this win, Batista became the first wrestler to pin Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match at Vengeance 2005.
On June 30, Batista was revealed as the last pick in the WWE Draft, making a surprise appearance while John Bradshaw Layfield was celebrating his victory in a 6-man elimination match to win the new SmackDown World Championship. With Batista on SmackDown! there was no need for the new belt and a feud between Batista and JBL was set up. The feud culminated in the a match between the two on the first episode of SmackDown! broadcast after the show's move to Friday nights, with Batista retaining the title in JBL's signature bull rope match.
Soon after retaining the title in a feud with Eddie Guerrero, WWE.com reported that Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back at the taping for the November 11, 2005 edition of SmackDown! due to a double chokeslam from The Big Show and Kane, which may force him to have surgery. [1]. Plans had been made for Batista to defend the title in a triple threat match with Eddie Guererro and Randy Orton on the November 18 episode, but the match didn't take place due to the unexpected death of Eddie Guerrero on November 13. Many internet wrestling sites speculated that Batista would lose the title to Guerrero in that match.
Despite his injury, Batista paid tribute to Eddie Guerrero during the SmackDown! tribute show dedicated to Guerrero's memory. Batista would say that Guerrero was not only one of his best and close friends, but he was also a large inspiration to him and helped him carry the burden of becoming a World Heavyweight Champion.
Batista would lead Team SmackDown! against Team RAW in an interbrand feud before 2005's Survivor Series. The feud would see The Big Show and Kane chokeslamming Batista several more times in the weeks leading up to Survivor Series, in an on-camera explanation for Batista's injury. Batista would help his team win the Survivor Series main event.
On the December 2 edition of Friday Night SmackDown!, Batista saved Rey Mysterio from a double team attack by The Big Show and Kane, and at WWE Armageddon on December 18, Batista will team with Mysterio to take on Big Show and Kane.
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