Batista trivia: Batista's theme music include "Voodoo" by Godsmack - with Synn (OVW), "Line In The Sand" by Motörhead - while part of Evolution and "I Walk Alone", a remix of the production theme with lyrics by Saliva - used since June 2005
Batista, Top Wrestler |
WWE 2005
As 2005 began, Triple H realized the possibility of Batista, much like Randy Orton the year before, becoming a threat to his World Heavyweight Championship. Triple H suggested that Dave not enter the Royal Rumble, claiming that it would be selfish of him to do so, and to simply focus on Triple H retaining the title. Dave entered anyway and went on to win the Royal Rumble, last eliminating John Cena, earning the right to participate in the main event of WrestleMania 21 against the World Champion of his choice.
In an attempt to persuade Batista to challenge WWE Champion John "Bradshaw" Layfield rather than him, Triple H concocted a scheme to have Batista run over in a limousine resembling the one used by Layfield. Initially, Dave didn't want help from Evolution and wanted to confront JBL by himself. Triple H insisted that Evolution stick together and accompanied Dave anyway. In fact, it was Triple H that saved Dave from the oncoming vehicle. Batista became aware of the plot while sneakily eavesdropping on fellow Evolution members, and on the February 21 episode of RAW he signed a contract guaranteeing him a match with World Champion Triple H at WrestleMania 21, thus leaving Evolution and officially turning face for the first time in WWE. He emphasized his departure by powerbombing Triple H through the table used for the contract signing. Batista initially pretended that he would sign with SmackDown!, giving Triple H and Flair the "thumbs up," but turned it into a "thumbs down" before attacking the pair.
Batista went on to win the World Heavyweight Championship on April 3, 2005 at WrestleMania 21. Since this event, he has used the infamous "thumbs up, thumbs down" gesture before he performs the Batista Bomb on his opponent. This is a reference to the gesture Triple H used against Randy Orton when he kicked Orton out of Evolution (leading to a brutal assault). Batista took this gesture from Triple H when he feigned signing to SmackDown! Before doing his "thumbs up, thumbs down", he often shakes the ring ropes violently which he has acknowledged he took from the Ultimate Warrior.
At Backlash, on May 1, 2005, Batista once again faced Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship. Batista retained the title but continued to feud with Triple H. Along the way, he even helped commentator Jim "J.R." Ross gain an upset victory over Triple H on RAW.
On May 23, 2005, Batista successfully defeated Edge to retain his title. After the match, Batista was betrayed by Ric Flair, who helped Triple H viciously attack the champion. During the brutal attack, Triple H challenged Batista to Hell in a Cell, setting up a match at Vengeance 2005. Batista survived the pedigree and won the match, retaining his title yet again. With this win, Batista became the first wrestler to pin Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match.
On June 30, 2005 Batista was revealed as the last pick in the 2005 WWE Draft Lottery, making a surprise appearance while John "Bradshaw" Layfield was celebrating his victory in a six-man elimination match to win the new SmackDown! Championship. JBL and Batista faced off at the Great American Bash on July 24, 2005 where JBL defeated Batista by DQ after the referee saw Batista use a steel chair. They had a rematch at SummerSlam on August 21, 2005 in a No-Holds-Barred match in which Batista pinned JBL following a powerbomb on the steel steps. The feud culminated in a match between the two on the first episode of SmackDown! broadcast after the show moved to Friday nights, with Batista retaining the title in JBL's signature bull rope match.
Soon after retaining the title in a feud with Eddie Guerrero, WWE.com reported that Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back at the taping for the November 11, 2005 edition of SmackDown! due to a double chokeslam from The Big Show and Kane. Plans had been made for Batista to defend the title in a triple threat match with Eddie Guerrero and Randy Orton on the November 18, 2005 episode, but the match didn't take place due to the unexpected death of Eddie Guerrero on November 13, 2005. Batista paid homage to Eddie Guerrero during the SmackDown! and RAW tribute shows dedicated to Guerrero's memory.
Batista led Team SmackDown! against Team RAW in an inter-brand feud before 2005's Survivor Series. The feud saw the Big Show and Kane chokeslamming Batista several more times in the weeks leading up to Survivor Series in an on-camera explanation for Batista's injury. Batista helped his team win the Survivor Series main event.
On the December 2, 2005 edition of Friday Night SmackDown!, Batista saved Rey Mysterio from a double team attack by RAW 's reigning World Tag Team Champions, The Big Show and Kane. It was later announced that Mysterio would team with Batista to face Big Show and Kane at Armageddon 2005, a SmackDown! exclusive pay-per-view.
On the December 16, 2005 edition of SmackDown!, Batista and Mysterio received a title shot at the WWE Tag Team Champions MNM. The two defeated MNM to become champions in a match they dedicated to Eddie Guerrero. With Batista and Mysterio becoming the WWE Tag Team Champions, the clash with the Big Show and Kane at Armageddon turned into a Champions vs. Champions encounter. At Armageddon on December 18, 2005, Batista and Mysterio lost to Kane and Big Show when Kane pinned Mysterio after a chokeslam.
On the December 30, 2005 edition of SmackDown!, MNM defeated Batista and Mysterio after help from the returning Mark Henry to regain the WWE Tag Team Championships. During the interference, Henry attacked Batista, and performed his World's Strongest Slam.
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