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Recently, WWE announced that the former world champion Batista is going to make his return to the company at the upcoming SmackDown 1000th episode. He will return for the reunion of the great stable Evolution.
He left the company in 2014, and since then, many speculations have been made about his return to the company, but nothing happened.
He was initially scheduled to face Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag team match along with UFC star Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34. However, WWE nixed the idea of his return and instead added Angle to the match.
Now as his return is confirmed for the show, many new doors are opened for his matches in the WWE. Even though his return could be just a one-night appearance, if he is going to stay for a longer time then the WWE will try to engage him with the audience as in his last WWE run, the fans were booing him.
Here are 5 WWE wrestlers Batista could have a match with.
#5 AJ Styles
WWE champion AJ Styles vs Batista will be a dream match for many wrestling fans. Both are best at doing their things in the ring and friends would love to see this rivalry.
Currently, AJ Styles is the face of the SmackDown brand whereas once, Batista was also one of the biggest attraction of this brand.
A story is already written for this rivalry as once Batista criticised AJ styles for his performance and said that wrestling is storytelling and what Styles does is not wrestling. Styles also replied to him where he made fun of The Animal.
At the 1000th episode of SmackDown, Batista could insult Styles and at an upcoming event can cost him the WWE Championship too. This will be a great way to start this epic rivalry as Batista can play a heel role whereas Styles is one of the biggest babyfaces of this era.
#4 Rey Mysterio
There was a time when these two wrestlers were used to be Tag Team partners. After the death of WWE Legend Eddie Guerrero, WWE paired Batista with Mysterio and the team later won the Tag Team titles too.
At that time Batista suffered a muscle tear in his back, and after some time, he again got injured in a live event. His injury kept him away from the ring for 6 months, and after that, this team seemingly disappeared.
Recently, PWInsider reported that Mysterio signed a new deal with the WWE which will last for 2 years. The company didn't confirm this news yet, but if the rumours are true, then Mysterio could return at this special episode of Smackdown.
Batista and Mysterio are familiar with each other, and both can still provide a classic match.
#3 Randy Orton
Along with Batista, Randy Orton was also a part of Evolution. He and Batista had many great moments in the WWE together and even feuded with each other many times.
Recently, at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view, Randy Orton turned heel and now, he is one of the hottest superstars on the roster. If the WWE has plans for Batista after his return, then Randy Orton can be a good opponent for him.
They are going to reunite at the SmackDown 1000 and maybe Orton will give an RKO to the former world champion. Batista could return as a face wrestler whereas Randy Orton is already a heel.
#2 The Rock
From the past few weeks, rumours are suggesting that the WWE is contacting The Rock to make an appearance at the 1000th episode of SmackDown Live. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, they are very close to making it happen.
The Rock has shown his interest in returning to the company, and if he does, then most likely he will have a match at WrestleMania 35.
There are many opponents for him, and Batista is one of them. He is one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood whereas The Rock is the highest paid actor in the world.
There are many storylines for The Rock to feud with Batista and have a match at WrestleMania 35. The fans would also love to see this match even though it will be between two part-timers.
#1 Triple H
In many occasions, Batista openly spoke about his intentions about returning to the WWE and having a match against Triple H.
Even the WWE had plans for Batista at WrestleMania 34 where he would have teamed up with Ronda Rousey to take on Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag team match. However, the idea was nixed and the match happened, but instead of Batista, Kurt joined Rousey.
Batista is approaching 50 years of age, and now, he can't wrestle for a long time, and it would be better if the WWE plans a retirement match between Batista and Triple H for WrestleMania 35.
Triple H is good in surprising the WWE Universe and at SmackDown 1000, he could do the same by attacking The Animal.
This will set up a rivalry between Batista and The Game which will last until WrestleMania 35.
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