4. The Middle Finger To WWE Fans
It's bad enough that Batista had shown contempt for his colleagues, but when he shown disdain for the paying audience who had made him a millionaire, it was a step too far for the WWE. It's thought that management had words with The Animal when he got backstage after his Royal Rumble win. The reason for the telling off was because Batista had given fans the middle finger on his way up the ramp. It was hardly the most professional conduct for a man who is meant to be a babyface. You also have to consider that WWE's highly valued kids fanbase are sat in the arena watching this, it's hardly the image the WWE wants from its good guys. The Animal rubbed more salt in the wounds when he got to the top of the ramp. Showing disregard for Daniel Bryan and his fans, Batista mockingly started doing the YES chant to a chorus of boos. Rather than doing this chant with the fingers pointing up gesture, Batista instead chose to stick his middle fingers up. Clearly the big man was a bit rattled at being a secondary star to Bryan's bigger popularity. It's worth noting as well that Big Dave got into a verbal altercation with a fan on his way up the ramp. Surely this kind of heat between Batista and WWE fans can only lead to a heel turn sooner rather than later!