19. Batista Wins His First World Championship - WrestleMania XXI
Batistas ascent to the role of top babyface was one of the best plotted storylines of the mid-2000s, as The Animal finally grew beyond his need to be in Evolution. Recognising that Triple H is a serial backstabber, Batista fired the first shot, using his guaranteed WrestleMania main event to take on his former mentor for the World Heavyweight Championship. In 2005, the WWE was more than ready for some new stars for this new era, and WrestleMania XXI delivered with both John Cena and Batista coming out as first time World Champions. It was Batista that closed the show, and when the referees hand came down for three, the Staples Centre exploded in excitement.
