Spoiler On This Year's WWE Hall Of Fame Headliner
This multiple-time World Champion looks set to headline this year's HOF class.
Having been initially due to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame back in 2020, Batista will serve as the headline act for this year's HOF class.
Via Wrestling News Premium, the current plan is for the Animal to finally take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame in just over a month's time.
As mentioned, Batista was previously announced as part of the 2020 HOF class, though the former Evolution man opted against being inducted that year because of the absence of fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, the 2020 Hall of Fame didn't end up happening, and instead the Batista-less 2020 class was inducted alongside the 2021 class the following year.
A Hall Of Fame Career
The pro wrestling career of Dave Bautista dates back to 1999, with the powerhouse trying out for the WCW Power Plant back then. Rejected by WCW, Big Dave went and trained under Afa of the Wild Samoans before being picked up by the then-WWF in 2000. Assigned to the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental territory, Bautista was soon given the monstruous gimmick of Leviathan.
Upon moving to the WWE main roster in 2002, the 6'6" star was originally paired with Reverend D'Von as Deacon Batista. Thankfully, Batista's alliance with D'Von only lasted a few months, and by the start of 2003 he was put with Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton to form Evolution. A triceps tear would hinder Batista's early days with Evolution, but this faction would prove to be the perfect learning tree and springboard for the Washington native to be propelled to superstardom.
Batista's initial run with WWE would last through until 2010, and there would be subsequent returns for the wrestler-turned-actor in 2014 and 2018, with that 2018 return leading to the final match of his career at WrestleMania 35 against Triple H. Across his time with WWE, Batista is a six-time World Champion, a four-time Tag Team Champion, a two-time Royal Rumble winner, and has several major WrestleMania main events to this name.
Away from the squared circle, the star of Dave Bautista has continued to shine bright in the acting world, with him impressing in the likes of Blade Runner 2049, Dune, Spectre, The Man with the Iron Fists, Glass Onion, Knock at the Cabin, and of course as Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.