WWE: 8 Embarrassing Early Gimmicks Future World Champions Want You To Forget

7. Batista €“ 'Deacon Batista', 2002

You would think that the formula for success with a man like Dave Batista is quite simple. Just let this muscular behemoth go out and destroy opponents night after night. Yet before coming to this obvious conclusion, WWE decided, for some reason, that what Batista really needed to get over was to join with "Reverend" D-Von and become "Deacon" Batista. Rather then letting Batista spinebuster and powerbomb his way to the top, the WWE had him hold a collection box for the Reverend, and solicit religious donations from fans at ringside. It would be understandable if this was some other superstar and the WWE was desperate to get them some screen time, but here was a 6 foot 6 inch, 300 pound monster acting as a religious figure. Eventually, the fans' prayers were answered, and Batista left Smackdown for Raw, and simply became known as "Batista". He joined Evolution and his days of helping D-Von spread the good word became a distant memory.