10 Images Showcasing Precise Moments Wrestlers Got Over

6. Thumbs Up For Thumbs Down

Shawn Michaels Marty Jannetty Barbershop window
WWE.com

Batista developed an unforeseeable level of fan support towards the tail end of 2004, during which time further dissent was teased within the Evolution faction.

Leader Triple H sensed his emerging threat and attempted to put The Animal in his place. He went so far as to persuade him not to enter the 2005 Royal Rumble. He did, and he won. Trips then orchestrated a hit and run using SmackDown brand WWE champ JBL's limo. Batista, as every good babyface should, smartly saw through the ruse before concocting one of his own. When he revealed his intention to challenge for the World Heavyweight Title, he thumbed down Evolution and officially turned face. It - that being Batista's emergence as a main event threat, as well as the match itself - was on.

It was almost irritating. Trips elevated Batista so beautifully that it made an official mockery of his Reign of Terror. Most knew Trips had intentionally sabotaged the likes of Rob Van Dam and Booker T between 2003 and 2004. This passing of the torch confirmed it.

That iconic image reinforces a wrestling truth well over a decade later: less is more. Batista didn't bond with the crowd through ridiculously stiff, career-shortening matches. He played his role in a beautifully crafted arc to perfection and cut through Triple H's conniving bullsh*t with a simple, universal gesture.

It was his Austin's bloodbath, his Hogan's body slam.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!