With the confrontation Triple H and Batista had at SmackDown 1000, it seemed that a match between the two immortals was set to headline WrestleMania 35 in 2019. However, an unfortunate injury to Triple H at WWE Crown Jewel may lead the WWE Creative team to alter its plans, and have Batista face-off against any other superstar.
Batista made his long awaited return to the company at SmackDown 1000, but before his appearance, the WWE listed out some dream matches for the 1000th episode of the blue brand, which included Samoa Joe vs Batista as well.
It looks like the creative team has some future plans for The Animal. He is almost confirmed to return to action at WrestleMania 35, and with Triple H possibly ruled out of the event, here are 2 superstars who should replace Batista, and 2 who should not.
New Champs in WWE! More RIGHT HERE
#1 Should be - Braun Strowman
Braun Strowman is one of the biggest stars in the WWE currently, and receives huge reactions from the audience as well. However, he has fallen victim to the 50/50 booking of WWE Creative.
Despite being one of the favourites to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 33, he didn't, while the following year he single-handedly defeated Sheamus and Cesaro to win the RAW tag team championships alongside Nicholas.
The Monster Among Men then won the Greatest Royal Rumble match in April, and also won the Money in the Bank briefcase, but when it comes to winning the Universal title, The Monster has received the worst booking.
Recently he was squashed by Brock Lesnar in under 4 minutes at Crown Jewel. A match against someone like Batista would help him establish himself as the biggest star of the company.
#1 Should not be - Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson
The marquee matches of the last 3 WrestleManias have been Shane McMahon vs The Undertaker at WM 32, Bill Goldberg vs Brock Lesnar at WM 33, and John Cena vs The Undertaker at WM 34.
Despite having passed their prime, these legends are being used as crowd drawers for the grand event. WWE rarely allows its new talent perform in the main event scene, and thus relies on part-timers at The Show of Shows.
This year with The Rock being the hot favourite to win the Royal Rumble, it hints that The Great One will finally return to WWE after a long hiatus.
Batista vs The Rock seems a good match for WM 35, but again this might not help WWE in the long term, as the two Hollywood superstars may not even show up at the RAW/SD Live after WrestleMania.
#2 Should be - AJ Styles
Batista has been away from the ring for a long time, which might have undoubtedly generated ring rust. He needs someone who could make him look like gold in the ring, and there's no one on the planet who can do the job better than The Phenomenal AJ Styles.
The reigning WWE Champion has completed a year as the blue brand's top champion, defeating almost every superstar in his year long reign.
Imagine Batista emerging on a random episode of SD Live and throwing an open challenge to the WWE Champion for a title match at WM 35. Surely, this match would even keep the IWC guessing, as AJ has been the company's top guy ever since joining, while the erstwhile Evolution member is a homegrown talent of the product.
AJ Styles could even have a good match with a broom, but having Batista as his opponent at WM 35 would surely blow the arena's roof down.
#2 Should not be - Brock Lesnar
Batista vs Brock Lesnar seems the biggest possible match for WrestleMania 35, but looking at The Beast's recent matches, we might get a snooze-fest.
The Universal Champion may not even be present during the match's build-up, as Paul Heyman and Batista would need to hype the match. Also, with the fact that Brock Lesnar is returning to UFC, the chances of this match happening at WM 35 are low.
WWE Creative should not waste this opportunity to put over a regular superstar by having him face off against The Animal. With Batista turning 50 next year, he has very few matches left in his career, and certainly one against Brock Lesnar would do no good to any of the 2 superstars.
Who do you think should be Batista's opponent at WrestleMania 35? Share your views in the feedback section below.