The time has finally arrived. Tonight on Raw 'The Animal' is unleashed. Dave Batista's return to a WWE ring is one loaded with potential. In an era bereft of legitimate main event draws, Batista is a significant boost to the company. He was the hottest star in the whole WWE during his 2005 main event run, continuing to be a franchise player for the years afterward. When it comes to spiking ratings, selling PPVs, drawing crowds and retailing merchandise he is a considerable asset - and that money he brings in is ultimately good for everyone involved with WWE. Batista's return tonight on Raw will be the first time we have seen him in WWE since 2010. He is expected to be around for the next two years, possibly with some time off over the summer. The WWE have big plans for Batista in the run up to Wrestlemania 30, with some hotly tipping him to win the Royal Rumble match next Sunday. It has to be said, Orton vs Batista for the Championship at Wrestlemania 30 certainly sounds an enticing marquee sell. WWE perhaps didn't want to bring Batista back this early. A shock Rumble entrance would have had more "Wow" factor, but with local arena advertisements giving the return away, McMahon has decided to bring Batista back on tv tonight. He will return to fight with Alberto Del Rio. This has been set up by promos in recent weeks where Del Rio has berated the returning star. There has also been an element of legitimate heat, Batista questioning Del Rio's drawing ability from his twitter. These comments are as much a work as anything we can presume, but when he called Del Rio a poor worker in a "B level era" it may have copped him some heat with others in the dressing room. While Batista is right, this isn't as hot an era as his day, it is still offensive to push it in his peers faces. The backstage reaction should be interesting to hear about from tonight. In the ring we can wholly expect a face return, a huge pop, and a big Batista Bomb on Del Rio. A promo saying how he will win the Rumble would also be a nice sell for Sunday. If WWE are smart they will book this as the end to Raw, a really hot go home finish for this weekend. Batista himself can't wait, tweeting over the weekend - "Made it 2 Ohio. Feels like I'm counting every second until I hit the ring tomorrow night. #dreamchaser"