Dave Batista, celebrated as a six-time WWE World Champion and a major Hollywood star, has an embarrassing secret from his early days recently spilled by a former colleague. The revelation adds a humorous, albeit cringe-worthy, footnote to the illustrious career of 'The Animal'.
An Unforgettable First Impression: The Breath That Almost Knocked Him Out
On a recent episode of the Cafe de Rene podcast, former WWE superstar Rene Dupree shared his only memory of meeting Batista during their time in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), WWE's former developmental territory. Dupree explained that the encounter happened in Memphis during a mandatory drug testing session for wrestlers.
"When I first met Batista, well, the only time I met him. It was in Memphis they were doing the drug testing," Dupree recalled. He described a simple handshake that turned into a shocking experience. "I shook his hand and met him, but I almost passed out from his breath. He had the worst breath. I mean, it almost killed me." This candid confession paints a surprisingly awkward picture of the future superstar before his main roster fame.
From The Ring to The Red Carpet: Batista's Stellar Dual Career
Despite the inauspicious start remembered by Dupree, Batista's career trajectory has been nothing short of spectacular. After ending his full-time WWE run in 2010, he ventured into Hollywood. His initial years were challenging, but he persevered to become a bankable name in global cinema.
He returned for a brief WWE stint in 2014 before fully committing to acting. Batista landed iconic roles in blockbuster franchises like Guardians of the Galaxy and Spectre, successfully transitioning from a wrestling powerhouse to a respected Hollywood actor.
The Final Chapter: A WrestleMania Retirement and Hall of Fame Destiny
However, the ring always called him back. For years, Batista expressed his desire for one final match against his mentor, Triple H. This wish materialized at the start of 2019 when he returned to WWE to feud with The Cerebral Assassin.
Their rivalry culminated in a high-stakes match at WrestleMania 35. In a poetic end to his in-ring story, Batista, who had always beaten Triple H in singles competition, was finally defeated by The Game on wrestling's grandest stage. A day after this marquee match, Batista officially announced his retirement from professional wrestling.
His legacy was further cemented when WWE announced his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2020. Although the ceremony was postponed due to the global pandemic, and his busy film schedule has caused delays, it is considered a certainty that The Animal will eventually receive this highest honour in sports entertainment.
