Batista, experienced the peak of his career in the early 2000s as a member of Evolution. With his strong, muscular physique and machine gun entrance, fans loved seeing him as a top guy in the company.
However, things changed when he left WWE in 2010 and returned to participate in the 2014 men’s Royal Rumble match. Recently, WWE released a video of Batista backstage before his entrance in the 2014 Royal Rumble match, where he appeared to be dealing with a panic attack due to a wardrobe malfunction.
Last-minute wardrobe malfunction left Batista sweating
The video featured Batista talking with Shawn Michaels backstage while preparing for his entrance in the Royal Rumble match. As he was trying to zip his new shoes, he encountered a problem with his boot, accidentally breaking the zipper.
This occurred just moments before his entrance, causing panic as it was his first WWE entrance in nearly four years. Batista was scheduled to enter the match at the 28th position, but with 22 superstars already in the ring, he rushed back to the locker room.
The styles crew helped fix his shoes, and despite moments of anxiety and sweating, Batista successfully entered the match at the planned spot. Ultimately, he won the Royal Rumble match and headlined WrestleMania 30.
Batista left WWE in 2010, following a heated rivalry with John Cena. He convinced Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, and agreed to a deal that would see him return at the Royal Rumble in 2014, and challenge for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30.
Batista’s Royal Rumble history by numbers
Batista is a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and a two time Royal Rumble winner. He is the fifth WWE superstar to win two Rumble Matches along with Randy Orton, Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin, and John Cena.
Batista has competed in six Rumble matches and his first victory was at 2003. In 2003 he entered the match at number 28, but was quickly eliminated by The Undertaker.
Batista returned to the Royal Rumble in 2005, as the World Heavyweight Champion and the face of the Raw brand. He entered the match at number 28 and eliminated 5 superstars within 2 minutes. Batista and Triple H were the last two superstars and Batista overpowered Triple H to win his first ever rumble match.
In 2014, Batista made his comeback to WWE after a four-year hiatus and entered the match at number 28 for the third time. He eliminated Erick Rowan, Ryback, and Alberto Del Rio, before facing off Roman Reigns.
Batista was able to powerslam Reigns and eliminated him to win his second Royal Rumble match after nine years. However, his victory met with a negative reaction from the fans, who had wanted Daniel Bryan to win the match.
After this hatred from the WWE fans, Batista never appeared in any Rumble matches and now he is set to be a part of Hall Of Fame class of 2024.
