The summer of 2005 featured a weeks-long WWE Draft that sent talent from Raw to SmackDow and vice versa. On night one, John Cena shocked the world by taking his place on Monday night's flagship program, a place he would never give up. With SmackDown lacking a legitimate draw at the top of the show, then-World Heavyweight champion Batista was shuffled off to the B-show, a move that infuriated him away from the cameras. Still, that did not prevent The Animal from accepting the task of becoming the leader of the red-headed stepchild of WWE. Whether he was brawling with JBL or overpowering the shifty Eddie Guerrero, Batista rolled as the top star on the brand. In the process, he grew and evolved as a performer and appeared to enter 2006 determined to make SmackDown Raw's equal in every way. Then injury struck. On the first episode of the new year, fans watched as an emotional Batista handed over the world title he worked so hard to retain, promising to return one day and regain his title. As the top babyface on SmackDown for the better part of three years, Batista squared off with some legitimate Hall of Fame talent in the form of Edge, The Undertaker, Kane and Booker T. With every match, he demonstrated the ability to perfectly mesh his skill set with that of his opponents, creating great matches and moments, something that served the brand well. After all, it was The Animal whose face was plastered all over merchandise and marketing materials and who was the undeniable star of the SmackDown program. Much was expected of him and, barring injury, he could be counted on to carry the brand. A heel turn in 2009 changed things, as he suddenly became a villain. His ability to draw as the top hero taken away, he worked the likes of Rey Mysterio and the aforementioned Undertaker before jumping ship to the Raw brand early in the new year. Batista's return to WWE in 2014 brought with it the opportunity to return home to SmackDown, which he did with great regularity. Unlike some stars, the Washington, D.C. native worked both shows and proved himself completely devoted to sports-entertainment. While feuding with Daniel Bryan or The Shield on Monday nights, Batista worked a side program with Dolph Ziggler on Fridays, a program that was essential to getting Dave back into ring condition. At a time when the show was treated even more like the bastard of Vince McMahon's company than normal, the fact that Batista was willing to compete on a weekly basis was a testament to his dedication to business and his fondness for the show he championed throughout the second half of the 2000s.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
