10 Biggest WWE Developmental Success Stories
7. Dave Batista
A graduate of Jim Cornette's prolific Ohio Valley Wrestling Class of 2002, Dave Batista surpassed all expectations by not only achieving main event status in WWE, but also a remarkable transition to Hollywood.
A late bloomer, 'The Animal' was 33 when he arrived on the main roster but had barely turned 36 when he headlined one of the highest-drawing WWE pay-per-views of all time.
His WrestleMania 21 victory over Triple H was a box office smash, highlighting the phenomenal fan engagement their rivalry had inspired. In a slot initially designed for Randy Orton shortly after his post-SummerSlam babyface turn, Big Dave was an unexpected weekly highlight as an enforcer for Triple H with one eye on his boss and one on his World Title.
Patronised and used by 'The Game', Batista elected to fight the Evolution boss after winning the 2005 Royal Rumble, after months of WWE sowing the seeds of his babyface turn.
Two more consecutive supercard victories over the former champion cemented his place in the upper echelon, and allowed him years of mainstream success with the company before first departing in 2011.
Outside of a brief and ill-fated 2014 comeback, he's been a smash hit on the big screen, earning in a spot in the 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Avengers' franchises, as well as a praised spot in the last James Bond flick 'Spectre'.
Batista has been such a wrestling success, that he no longer needs the industry at all.