15 Exact Moments Failed WWE Ruthless Aggression Gimmicks Actually Got Over

14. Batista | August 14, 2004

Batista 2004.jpg
WWE

Batista felt like the least likely babyface star imaginable between 2002 and 2003. 

He debuted as a cartoonishly evil deacon providing back up to a reverend, which was a dead-on-arrival parody of a terrible New Generation Era gimmick. Even as the well-dressed muscle of the mega-pushed Evolution stable, context and fashion trends appeared to damn him. Batista was a body guy at a time when casual fans barely existed, and when the dissenting hardcore voices were adamant that WWE should usher in a new era of workrate. That’s how the finale of WrestleMania 20 unfolded. In WWE, though, fans will always gravitate towards size and charisma - it is in the promotion’s DNA - and by the summer, a paradigm shift was set in motion. At SummerSlam, Edge got booed in Toronto - and he was jeered at the expense of Batista. 

Edge defended his Intercontinental title against Batista and Chris Jericho in a Triple Threat match. Batista looked like a shredded, oiled God when making his entrance. It didn’t matter that he couldn’t execute a space flying tiger drop. He looked irresistible. 

The match was laid out for Batista to look like a badass. The idea was for fans to then pop for Edge and his ability to outsmart the monster. The problem is that fans were actually getting into Batista’s stuff, making wow noises as he drilled Jericho with an explosive launch into the ring post. When Edge took control, he just got in the way. 

This was when Batista first got over on a “just looking at the f*cking guy” basis - and when WWE was first tempted to go all the way with him. It wasn’t anywhere near as iconic as WrestleMania 13, obviously - but very quietly, a double-turn of sorts happened here.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick (Creative Writing BA Hons) is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over a decade of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential UK 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 AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and 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!