The Complete History of the WWE Championship - Part 15

Batista (February 21, 2010 - March 28, 2010)

Batista: Defeated Cena to win his final WWE Championship

Batista won his second and final WWE Championship from John Cena at the Elimination Chamber pay per view on February 21, 2010.

His title victory came in an impromptu encounter after Cena had won the strap in a gruelling Elimination Chamber match.

There were shades of New Year's Revolution 2006 when Edge had cashed in on Cena after had retained his belt inside the Elimination Chamber.

Batista's title win came with a change of attitude. The Animal turned heel and displayed hitherto unseen personality when he demanded a spotlight follow him around when he was cutting promos. He chastised the fans and portrayed himself as a Hollywood superstar; ironic as that is exactly what he would become a few years later.

His title reign was the most entertaining of his career. However, all good things must come to an end and Batista dropped the belt back to Cena in one of the main event matches at WrestleMania XXVI.

Batista would feud with Cena in rewarding rematches at Extreme Rules and Over The Limit in April and May before departing WWE for four years, briefly returning in 2014 and 2019 respectively.