10 Oldest First-Time WWE World Champions
7. Batista - 40 Years, 4 Months, 20 Days
Few WWE storylines in recent history have gone as swimmingly as Dave Batista's initial main-event push. The Evolution enforcer won the 2005 Royal Rumble, refused to be tricked by stable leader Triple H, then finally defeated "The Game" for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 21, drawing record numbers in the process.
Batista ended up becoming synonymous with the World Heavyweight Title. He brought the belt to Smackdown in the 2005 draft lottery, and though he'd have to forfeit it due to injury, he'd win it three more times in feuds with The Undertaker, The Great Khali, and Chris Jericho.
At SummerSlam 2008, Batista suffered an injury that would keep him out of action for more than six months. When he returned, it was to Raw, helping former friend Triple H in a war against fellow Evolution alumnus Randy Orton. Though Orton would defeat Triple H for the WWE World Championship, Batista would soon win the title from Orton. That marked the first WWE World Title win of Batista's career, adding to his already-strong legacy.