WWE: 10 Matches To Celebrate Batista's Return

9. Elimination Chamber (New Year's Revolution 2005)

The first few years of Batista's career were marred by forced promos, lousy matches, and a steep learning curve. Subsequently, he struggled to get over with the fans despite his inclusion in the dominant heel stable of the era, Evolution. Less than two months prior to New Year's Revolution 2005, at the 2004 Survivor Series, a fan at ringside held up a sign during the main-event that read "Ha! Batista Can't Get Over!" A week or two after that, Batista merely glanced at the World title on Triple H's shoulder and the crowd nearly came unglued. It was such a random reaction, but it was as if the entire viewing audience joined in afterwards. The Animal caught fire. Six weeks later, Randy Orton was still the focus of the anti-Triple H movement on TV, but there was a sense that Batista was moving into that spot. The crowd reactions for Big Dave were great and he found a comfort zone as a character that finally fit. The 2005 Elimination Chamber was, perhaps, the gimmick's most underrated edition. It featured quite a cast of wrestlers €“ Edge, Jericho, Orton, Trips, Batista, and Chris Benoit w/ HBK as the special referee. The early action was excellent from a pure wrestling standpoint, but the climax was quite emotionally engaging. Batista seemed to take control of the match, much to the crowd's delight. Yet, Orton gave him a low blow and eliminated him with the RKO, ultimately putting Triple H in position to win the title for the 10th time. The story was advanced and Batista's rise to the top seemed assured.