Animal Tamed: Batista's Career Highlights

As we learned last night on RAW, Dave Batista has left the WWE. Batista debuted in 2002 and since then he was a force to be reckoned with. He won world titles, the royal rumble, and he beat some of the best in his short 8 year WWE career. As Batista leaves us for Hollywood, I leave you with his career highlights.

Batista Debuts

The force known as Batista hit the WWE on May 9,2002. Though Batista didn't wrestle in this match you could already see that he was someone who would shine. Below is a video of Batista's actual wrestling debut against RKO.

Batista Joins Evoulution

Before Batista joined Evolution he just this big guy destroyed his opponents and walked around with a permanent scowl on his face. After being sidelined for about 9 months in 2003, Batista returned on RAW to interfere in Goldberg's match and give him a Batista Bomb and shatter his ankle. After collecting the $100,000 bounty Batista joined Evolution and his career took off.

Batista Wins Royal Rumble

Against Triple H's and Ric Flair's best wishes, Batista entered the 2005 Royal Rumble and went on to win. This victory established Batista as a future star and world champion in the company. This also led to Batista turning face and leaving Evolution.

Batista Wins World Heavyweight Championship

After winning the 2005 RR and leaving Evolution, Batista faced his former mentor Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at WM 21. After beating Triple H to a bloody pulp, Batista hit his signature Batista Bomb and beat Triple H for the title.

Batista Defeats Triple H In Hell In A Cell

After beating Triple H twice for the WHC, Batista was faced with defending his title against HHH in a match that HHH never lost; Hell In A Cell. In a brutal match Batista came out victorious to retain his championship and end his feud with HHH.

Batista Faces Taker at WM 23

After regaining the WHC from King Booker on SD! Batista faced his biggest challenge since Triple H. Taker had just won the 2007 RR and was challenging Batista for the WHC. Many said that Batista would be Taker's biggest WM challenge and the guy who had the best chance to beat him. Batista put up a valiant effort but Taker would not be denied and he beat Batista. Even though Batista lost, this is considered his best match and it launched his best feud since his feud with HHH.

Batista Defeats Taker

At Cyber Sunday 2007 Batista finally beat one man that he couldn't seem to beat, Taker. Batista's match with was for the WHC which also included special guest referee, SCSA. After 2 Batista Bombs, Batista won and retained his title.

Batista Defeats John Cena

At Summerslam the 2 biggest names in wrestling faced off in a match to see whose the better out of the 2. Batista reigned victorious after defeating John Cena with 2 Batista Bombs.

Batista wins WWE Championship

At Extreme Rules 2009 Batista defeated Randy Orton to win the WWE Championship for the 1st time.

Batista Turns Heel

After losing in a fatal four way match that involved Cm Punk, Taker, and Rey Mysterio Batista turned heel by attacking Rey Mysterio after the match. This heel turn led to Batista becoming more interesting and his wrestling and mic skills getting better.

Batista wins WWE Championship Again

After joining forces with Mr. McMahon Batista was awarded a WWE Championship match. He chose to face John Cena after Cena won the Championship in an Elimination Chamber. This led to Batista's final feud in the WWE(for now) and Batista's best work to date.