"I was really embarrassed" - 6-time World Champion explains why he eventually left WWE for acting

WWE is setting the stage for the return of Bad Blood in Atlanta in the coming month. Meanwhile, former World Heavyweight Champion Batista detailed why he eventually left professional wrestling for a career in acting.

Dave Bautista has spent the past decade honing his craft as an actor, and has starred in multiple small to big projects across film and television. However, The Animal was at the top of his career in the Stamford-based promotion when he declared his exit and left professional wrestling.

In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, the two-time WWE and four-time World Heavyweight Champion recalled an old incident where he decided to become a full-fledged actor in the coming months.

"I did an episode of Smallville and I did it because I was a fan; fanboy. I wanted to be on this Superman-related show. I just had no interest in acting. I wouldn't say I did a film and fall in love with acting. I did a film [Wrong Side of Town] that made me want to be better at acting," Batista said.

The Animal was embarrassed with his acting performance and wanted to become a better actor, which led to his eventual exit from the company.

"I went and did this film [Wrong Side of Town] and I realized what a horrible actor I was. I was so bad. I was really embarrassed. I just wanted to prove to myself that I can be better and I left that set just feeling unfulfilled. I had the itch and I just wanted to get better. And, Wrong Side of Town kinda started my whole journey," Batista said. [03:20 - 04:15]

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Batista has discussed the possibility of entering the WWE Hall of Fame

A few years ago, WWE announced The Animal's induction into the illustrious class alongside a few veterans. However, the ongoing pandemic scrapped those plans and Batista hasn't returned to the company in a while.

While promoting The Killer's Game, Dave Bautista opened up about the conversation he had with Triple H about getting inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame when the time's right.

The Animal has left the door open for the induction in the near future. The former Evolution member is interested in getting inducted when the time's right.

If you use any quotes from the article, please credit Chris Van Vliet and provide an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.