Projecting Scenarios for Batista's Return to Raw

The waiting will finally be over next week, as Batista makes his long-awaited return to the WWE following a lengthy exile.

The Animal's appearance on the final edition of Raw before the Royal Rumble pay-per-view is likely to cause a stir amongst fans, with many wondering what his first move will be with the company.

He is sure to be thrown in at the deep end as plans for the Royal Rumble are moving along at speed. Given it is the final Raw before the show, Batista will have little time to spare.

But what will his return to WWE TV involve? Who will he go after on his Raw return? Let's take a look at some potential scenarios for the second coming of Batista.

Returns to Cut a Heel Promo

Photo courtesy WWE.com

We start with the most unlikely of the five scenarios mapped out here in this slideshow—and it is one that hopefully does not happen.

It would be—to coin a phrase used in the WWE of late—best for business if Batista returned as a babyface. He is a guy who can get the crowd going pretty easily, and has had some success in the past working as a face.

Plus, the majority of his likely rivals are already full-fledged heel characters. Of course, it is a possibility that he comes back and immediately turns heel by cutting a promo to that effect.

He may well cut a promo on Daniel Bryan—which would almost certainly turn him heel instantly, as Bryan is more over than perhaps any Superstar since Stone Cold Steve Austin.

It's possible, but unlikely.

Attacks Brock Lesnar to Set Up Heavyweight Tussle

One guy that Batista has never really worked a significant program with in the WWE is Brock Lesnar.

It seems bizarre that the two never really crossed paths during their early days with the company. They both have similar styles, and it would make for a pretty impressive matchup should they collide.

Perhaps Batista will return to WWE TV by laying down a serious gauntlet for the Royal Rumble—by attacking the guy who has been on a serious rampage of late.

The only thing that suggests this may not happen is Lesnar will be too busy trying to put some promo work together for his match with the Big Show.

It would be a big return for Batista though, should it happen.

He Takes His Twitter Rivalry with Alberto Del Rio Physical

It's surprising that, of late, Alberto Del Rio is the guy who has taken exception to Batista's return. After all, Del Rio had almost been forgotten about by WWE fans after he disappeared from the title picture a couple of months ago.

However, it seems to have given Del Rio a bit of fire. He took the fight to Twitter to further stoke the fire, and Batista has been replying, too.

Could it be that Batista's first action on Raw is to interrupt a Del Rio match and really make his presence felt? Well, it would be a pretty easy way to get The Animal over, that is for sure.

It would certainly make things interesting heading into the Royal Rumble. It would give us another feud to look forward to in the Rumble match.

Immediately Aligns Himself with Triple H

Photo courtesy WWE.com

In the past few weeks, Randy Orton seems to have fallen out of favor with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.

Their support for him has dwindled greatly since he was crowned as the "face of the company"—but is there an external reason for that?

Could it be because The Authority are about to nail their colors to another mast and align themselves with Batista?

Of course, there are two possibilities for this scenario. Batista could return and immediately turn heel to side with Triple H. But perhaps the COO, a guy who has experienced plenty of turns in his career, could turn face to set up a real rivalry with Orton?

Returns to Attack Randy Orton

The last time Batista was exiled from the WWE, it was due to Randy Orton injuring The Animal's arm and forcing him out of action.

He ended that exile from WWE TV by coming back and offering a vicious beating to The Viper—could the same happen again in 2014?

Of all the guys in the WWE, Batista has perhaps the most history with Randy Orton. There is little doubt Batista is returning to attempt to headline WrestleMania 30. If he does, it is likely he and Orton's paths will cross once again.

Wouldn't it be a great way for the company to get Batista immediately over by attacking the champion in the week before the Royal Rumble? It would light the touchpaper for Batista and Orton to set off once again on another fantastic rivalry.