10 Best Gimmick Changes in Wrestling History

A Hollywood movie star, a 100% record in MMA and, of course, multiple World Championships, are just a few of the accomplishments that Dave Bautista can include on his resume. His success is hard to argue, especially when you take into consideration the fact that he started his career as a lackey for ‘Reverend D-Von’.

Debuting in WWE in May 2002, he appeared as ‘Deacon Batista’ alongside the aforementioned D-Von Dudley, acting as Dudley’s brute enforcer and warding off any potential trouble that came their way. The pair teamed for just a few months before they came to blows after a series of misunderstandings.

After a blow-off match between the two, Batista was drafted over to Raw and dropped the 'Deacon' moniker entirely. Following this change in persona, Batista soon joined forces with Ric Flair, Triple H and Randy Orton to form Evolution. During his time as a member of this group, 'The Animal' picked up the World Tag Team Championships and won the 2005 Royal Rumble, and his eventual split from the group saw him win the World Heavyweight Championship just two years after adopting the 'Animal' persona.

Although his role as 'Deacon' was short-lived, it can't be argued that the best work of his career happened during his time as 'the Animal'.