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What's the story?
According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Batista is in consideration to headline the 2018 WWE Hall Of Fame in New Orleans.
In case you didn't know...
Batista's last run in the WWE was in 2014 when he stuck around for about 6 months. However, he wasn't as popular as he was in his previous run, as he won the Royal Rumble, which fans were expecting Daniel Bryan to win.
Bryan's overwhelming popularity saw the fans turn on Batista. This resulted in a quick heel turn, and The Animal put over Daniel Bryan and also The Shield.
The last run left a sour taste in Batista's mouth, and he definitely wasn't to blame for that. The creative direction he wanted was to return as a heel, and WWE didn't comply until later. He stated on Chris Jericho's podcast a few years later that he missed wrestling but not what he had to deal with in WWE.
He also said in the same conversation that if he were to return to WWE, it would be in a program with HHH. However, that's not the direction they are interested in right now.
The heart of the matter
It would be quite surprising if Batista is the headliner. The moment WrestleMania 33 came to a conclusion this year, it seemed clear who should be the one headlining the 2018 Hall Of Fame: The Undertaker.
No other name seems apt to headline the next class more than The Deadman. Edge and Shawn Michaels retired and got inducted into the Hall Of Fame the following year. It only seems apt that someone of Undertaker's calibre is inducted in the first chance.
'Taker's induction would be among the most important inductions in the history of the Hall Of Fame. The only name one could think of as more important is Vince McMahon. However, that is unlikely to happen until he passes.
However, this is not to take anything away from Batista. There is no doubt that he will headline a Hall Of Fame Class at some point. Triple H and Rey Mysterio would arguably be the two best names to induct him. Next year just doesn't seem like the right year for him.
What's next?
Batista is getting set for Avengers: Infinity Wars part 1, which coincidentally releases around late April/early May of 2018.
WWE has WrestleMania 34 at April 4th, 2018. The rumoured main event is Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship.
Author's take
Batista is a deserving future Hall Of Fame headliner, but 2018 just shouldn't be the year for him. If it's being talked about just because of the publicity he'll be receiving ahead of Avengers: Infinity Wars, then that wouldn't look good on WWE.
However, next year belongs to The Undertaker, who should be placed in his rightful spot in the HoF.
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