Why Did Batista Leave WWE?
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Why Did Batista Leave WWE? We take a look at the reasons behind Batista’s departure from WWE and what he’s been up to since.
Reasons for Leaving
There are a few different reasons that Batista has cited for his departure from WWE. One reason is that he was not happy with the creative direction of his character. He has also said that he was not given enough time to prepare for his matches. Lastly, Batista has said that he was not happy with the travel schedule.
Dissatisfaction with creative direction
One of the main reasons that Batista left WWE in 2010 was due to his dissatisfaction with the creative direction of his character. He was vocal about this backstage, and it eventually led to a meeting with Vince McMahon. In this meeting, McMahon told Batista that he was no longer needed and that he would be free to leave. This creative disagreement is thought to be the main reason for Batista’s departure from WWE.
Frustration with injuries
In recent years, Batista has struggled with injuries. In 2013, he tore his left biceps tendon and had to vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He returned in 2014, but shortly thereafter tore his right triceps tendon, requiring another surgery. He returned again in early 2015, only to re-injure his left biceps, sidelining him for several more months.
It’s no secret that these injuries have taken their toll on Batista. In a 2015 interview with Huffington Post, he revealed that he was so frustrated with his string of injuries that he considered retirement.
“I seriously contemplated walking away because I was so unhappy,” Batista said. “I was so bitter and angry at the business and just really frustrated with injuries.”
Fortunately for WWE fans, Batista ultimately decided to stick around, but it’s clear that his frustration with injuries played a role in his decision to leave WWE in 2014.
Pursuit of other opportunities
In October 2007, Batista was drafted to the Raw brand as part of the supplemental draft. He became the number one contender for the WWE Championship, which he won for the first time on November 18 at Survivor Series by defeating then-champion The Great Khali by disqualification, making him a two-time champion. The following night on Raw, General Manager William Regal scheduled a rematch for the title between the two, which Batista won via pinfall to retain his championship. After setting a record for WWE’s longest reign as champion at 282 days, he lost the title to Edge at SummerSlam on August 17, 2008. During this time, he was also engaged in a long feud with John “Bradshaw” Layfield (JBL), which saw Batista winning the Intercontinental Championship from him three times between April 30 and May 11 (Batista’s first title reign in over four years).
The Aftermath
Batista’s final match in WWE was at WrestleMania 35, where he unsuccessfully challenged for the Universal Championship in a No Holds Barred match against Seth Rollins. After the match, Batista left WWE and has not returned since. This left many fans wondering why he left and what he is up to now.
Reaction from WWE fans
WWE fans were quick to react on social media, with many of them showing support for Batista’s decision to leave. Some fans even called for a “Batista Day” celebration in honor of his contributions to WWE.
Others were critical of WWE’s handling of Batista’s return, saying that he was not used properly and that the company should have done more to make his return a success.
Some fans speculated that Batista could return to WWE in the future, but it remains to be seen if that will happen.
Reaction from WWE superstars
After Batista returned to WWE television in early January 2014, he quickly re-established himself as a face. His return coincided with The Authority losing power at the Royal Rumble, which made him an instant crowd favorite.
However, just a few months later, Batista would turn heel and join Evolution. This was a controversial move, as many fans felt that he had turned his back on the WWE Universe.
The following year, Batista would leave WWE again, this time for good. His departure was met with mixed reactions from WWE superstars. Some understood his decision, while others felt that he had betrayed the company.
Here is a look at how some WWE superstars reacted to Batista’s departure from WWE:
“I’m happy for him. I think he’s doing what’s best for him.” – John Cena
“It’s a shame he’s leaving. I enjoyed working with him.” – Roman Reigns
“I’m sorry to see him go. He was a great asset to our team.” – Seth Rollins
“Good riddance. He was nothing but trouble.” – Kane
“I don’t know why he’s leaving, but I wish him the best.” – Daniel Bryan
Impact on Batista’s career
Batista’s departure from WWE was a huge turning point in his career. While Batista had been a successful wrestler in the past, his time with WWE was by far the most successful and popular period of his career. His departure from WWE left many fans wondering what could have been, and it also raised questions about his future in the wrestling business.
In the years since he left WWE, Batista has gone on to have a successful career in both acting and mixed martial arts. He has starred in several major Hollywood films, including “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Blade Runner 2049.” He has also competed in mixed martial arts, winning his first fight by knockout in just over one minute.
While Batista’s post-WWE career has been successful, many fans still wonder if he would have accomplished even more if he had stayed with WWE. Only time will tell if Batista will ever return to WWE, but even if he doesn’t, he has already made a lasting impact on the wrestling business.