10 Things WWE Regrets About Elimination Chamber

5. Batista Vs. Alberto Del Rio (2014)

Elimination Chamber 2017
WWE.com

WWE made mistake upon mistake with Batista's return to the company in 2014.

First, there was announcing him as a Royal Rumble participant ahead of time rather than bringing him in as a surprise on the night. Then, of course, was the Rumble win, with the audience destroying 'The Animal' for winning the match at a time when Daniel Bryan's triumph was the one thing everyone had pinned their hopes on.

Batista's babyface position became untenable that night. Somehow, WWE made it even worse when the booked him in a feud with Alberto Del Rio (a man many had mentally checked out on a long time ago) afterwards, culminating in a match at Elimination Chamber 2014. It was a disaster.

Big Dave was pelted by the crowd throughout. They jeered him heavily, serenaded him with unwanted chants of "BOO-TISTA", and to top it all off, Batista wrestled very much like a guy who hadn't had a big singles match in four years. It was a horrible experience, and one WWE would likely prefer was left in the past.

WWE did fix it by turning Batista heel on SmackDown a few days later, but Elimination Chamber 2014 was rough.

Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.