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Although Dave Batista
started wrestling at a late stage in his life (in his 30's),
he has been remarkably successful in the relatively short time
he has spent in the sport.
After working as a bouncer in
Washington, D.C. for many years, Dave Batista decided to try
his hand at wrestling. He tried out at WCW's Power Plant
but was told that he would never make it. Instead of
quitting, he learned how to wrestle at the Wild Samoan
Wrestling School.
Batista started his career in Ohio
Valley Wrestling where he wrestled as Leviathan, a member of
the Disciples of Synn. It wasn't long before Batista was
called up to the major leagues.
Batista debuted in World Wrestling
Entertainment (WWE) as the Reverend D-Von Dudley's
henchman Deacon Batista. However it wasn't long
before Batista grew tired of Dudley and annihilated him in the
ring. At this point Batista jumped to Monday Night RAW
where his power moves, incredible physique, and killer
instinct caught the eye of "Nature Boy"
Ric Flair. It wasn't long before Batista was drafted
into the heel stable known as Evolution.
In Evolution, Batista served as the
group's enforcer. His powerful strength made his
clothesline a move that could knock opponents out.
Although he was very green in the ring, Batista learned
quickly from Ric Flair and Triple
H. Batista honed his skills by teaming up with Ric
Flair to win the WWE Tag Team Titles on two separate
occasions. Batista also helped protect Triple H from
challengers to his WWF World Title.
As Batista continued to develop his
skills, he grew more and more successful. After Randy
Orton won the WWE World Championship, Batista helped Triple H
and Flair destroy their former teammate. No doubt he
also saw what happened when someone threatened Triple H's spot
as World Champion and he was careful in planning out his
strategy to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
When Batista won the 2005 Royal
Rumble, there was some question as to whether or not he would
challenge Evolution's leader Triple H for his World Title or
go to Smackdown and challenge WWE Champion Bradshaw.
Batista's decision seemed to be made up for him when it seemed
that Bradshaw was taunting Batista's ability. Triple H
suggested to Batista the possibility of Triple H holding the
RAW Title and Batista holding the Smackdown Title. Then
it appeared that Bradshaw tried to run Batista over with his
limosuine. Still, there was speculation as to which
champion Batista would challenge and things got even more
interesting when Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long began
courting Batista to jump to Smackdown.
Batista's decision was finally made
on Monday Night RAW. His decision was no doubt helped
when he learned that Triple H had staged the incident where
Bradshaw's limo nearly ran Batista over. Batista then
promptly powerbombed Triple H through a table and signed to
face him at Wrestlemania XXI.
At Wrestlemania XXI, Batista
defeated Triple H to win his first WWE World
Championship. Since then he has defended the title
against Triple H, Randy Orton, and Edge and is rumored to be
facing Triple H at a Hell in a Cell
match. | 
