WWE's latest DVD release, Batista The Animal Unleashed, is a three disc set which features a short documentary alongside 22 matches. It's the story of why Batista left WWE in 2010, what he did in his time away, and his 'triumphant return' back this year. Well, that was the plan anyway, but as you'll know, Batista's WWE return didn't exactly go how he or WWE envisioned it. Watching this documentary you get the feeling that 'Batista The Animal Unleashed' was meant to be a feature length production about Batista's road to WrestleMania and the heroic win WWE originally wanted him to have there. Given that he was booed and resented beyond belief, leading to a February heel turn, the documentary ends up cut short at 35 minutes - WWE didn't want to detail their top star suffering a decline in his worth. Still, this documentary packs in quite a lot of interesting points and fascinating revelations into its run time. There's substantial filming backstage and Batista is candid in all of his observations. You get the feeling he pretty much tells it how it is. This WhatCulture DVD review feature will detail the 10 biggest insights we got from the DVD, with a range of sensational quotes from the man himself. The actual matches aren't too much to write home about, the best of Batista's work was covered on his 2009 DVD 'I Walk Alone'. In saying that, this latest collection does feature him against the likes of Shawn Michaels, CM Punk, Chris Jericho and even Brock Lesnar back in 2001! Given the rarity of that Lesnar match and the quality of the documentary, there's plenty here to ensure WWE will still do DVD sales beyond the WWE Network monopoly of content. It was a fairly entertaining watch, maybe not the popular project WWE hoped it would be, but full of fascinating insights nonetheless. Let's get into it with 10 things you need to know from 'The Animal Unleashed'.
12. The Day Of The Rumble
The Batista documentary starts with 'The Animal' in a snowy Pittsburgh, leaving his hotel and heading in a car to the 2014 Royal Rumble. The first thing to note about Batista's demeanour heading into his big return is how nervous he was. Talking and shifting uncomfortably in his seat, he seems genuinely worried as to how his big comeback will go. In this respect he comes off relatable, almost humble, worried about wanting to do his best. He cares what people are going to think about him. His self confidence going in is almost on the low side. He even jokes about this, laughing at the idea that WWE think he can still work. After four years off, he really isn't too sure of himself. "It's a weight on my shoulders," he states, "If it doesn't go well I'll beat myself up, I'm my own worst critic". As we now all know, it didn't go well. Batista himself did nothing wrong, he looked ok in the ring, he won the Rumble. WWE's booking was the problem. By not entering Daniel Bryan into the Rumble they created a situation where any other winner would be a heel regardless of story. You have to feel for Batista a bit in this respect.
