7 WWE Returns That Flopped HARD!

During his first run, Batista was one of the top names in WWE. After overcoming his introduction as Deacon Batista, sidekick of Reverend D-Von (formerly of the Dudleyville parish), the monster babyface enjoyed world championship reigns and formed the backbone of the Evolution stable. Things had run a little stale before he unleashed his immortal "I quit" line, but not enough to sour a potential return to WWE in the future.

However, the wrestling landscape was in a very different place when Batista returned in 2014. Fans and WWE creative found themselves intensely at odds, with audiences clamouring for Daniel Bryan to be the company's main character heading into WrestleMania 30. Vince McMahon planned on making Randy Orton vs Batista the main event of this landmark event, and fans told them exactly what they thought of that when Batista won the Royal Rumble in Pittsburgh. When Daniel Bryan was missing from the match altogether, the returning babyface push for Batista was booed out of the building, and that trend continued beyond that fateful evening.

More fuel to that fire was added after CM Punk quit the company the day after Dave's big Royal Rumble win. Batista became a lightning rod for fans' frustration, leading to him turning heel in an attempt to hide the reality of the situation. Bryan would have his moment at WrestleMania 30, but Batista's run continued to be mercilessly savaged by live crowds. He teamed with Orton and Triple H against The Shield at a few PPVs after WrestleMania before quitting WWE for good on the June 2nd episode of Raw.