[Big E] Today on WWE Raw Classics,
it's time to unleash "The Animal"…
-[yells] -[Big E] …Batista.
-[heavy metal music playing] -[JR] Six-feet-five, 317 lbs.
[Big E] A veritable powerhouse in WWE,
Dave Batista destroyed the competition
en route to six World Championships.
-[King] Batista Bomb! -[JR] Bam!
[Big E] Witness the evolution of a true animal…
[JR] No! Oh! God Almighty!
[Big E] …right now on Netflix.
[heavy metal music continues]
[music fades out]
[heavy metal music resumes]
Oh…
Welcome to another episode of Raw Classics!
I'm your host, Big E,
and today,
it's all about "The Animal" Batista.
Before he was Drax the Destroyer,
Dave Batista was pure, untamed fury.
And shortly after his arrival in WWE,
"Big Dave" caught the eye of "The Game" Triple H
and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair,
who clearly had big plans in mind for the Washington DC native.
Now, let's go back to a Ruthless Aggression Era Raw match,
where Batista took on "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner.
[music fades out]
[Batista's theme music plays]
[JR] Boy, this is gonna be something.
[bell dings]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall.
Making his way to the ring, being accompanied by Ric Flair,
weighing in at 318 lbs,
Batista!
[JR] Well, earlier tonight, Scott Steiner came out and challenged
the World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H, to a rematch here and now.
"The Game" battered and bruised, bloodied.
He was lucky to leave the… the Royal Rumble.
With his, uh, world title on the line,
had a note from his doctor, said he couldn't wrestle tonight,
so Flair volunteered Batista to take on Scott Steiner.
[King] I don't like the sarcasm in your voice when you say,
"Had a note from his doctor."
-[JR] Well, I just don't… -[siren blaring]
[crowd cheers]
♪ Holla if you hear me ♪
[Scott Steiner's theme music plays]
[Lilian] And from Detroit, Michigan, weighing in at 275 lbs,
"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner!
[JR] Steiner in a volatile mood.
Thanks to that, uh, sledgehammer,
Steiner's ribs are all taped up.
Triple H did everything he could to get disqualified last night.
Yeah, look at "Big Poppa Pump" right here in this…
It's the new issue of WWE Magazine.
Oh, super freak there.
Unbelievable.
[JR] Scott Steiner, no doubt, is a "Genetic Freak."
There's no doubt about that.
-Gosh. I'll tell you-- -[King] He is "Freakzilla."
[JR] Batista is 6'5", 317,
and he is ripped.
Well, we can tell you that Stacy Keibler has arrived,
King, we understand, at the medical facility.
[King] And the only thing we know right now
is that she is being attended to by physicians.
If we get anything else, we'll certainly pass it along.
-[bell dings] -[JR] Absolutely.
[Scott] Come on, Batista.
[JR] Wow. Well, Scott Steiner didn't give a damn who he fought tonight.
He really wanted to fight Triple H.
He wanted a match for the World Heavyweight title.
But fighting was the… was the order of the day for Scott Steiner
when he arrived here in Providence.
[Scott] Come on, boy!
[JR] He wanted Triple H. The note from the doctor prevented that.
[King] It's like two huge bulls colliding with each other in that ring.
You gotta realize now, Steiner, he… he can't be 100% with those ribs.
-I'm the man! -[JR] No way is he 100%.
There's absolutely no way.
-I'll tell you something. Batista was a… -[King] Whoa!
[JR] …final four in the Royal Rumble.
He, uh… he opened some eyes, big-time, even wider than they already were.
Knockdown by Steiner.
You gotta wonder how much gas is in Steiner's tank tonight
after that, uh… that physical matchup
that he had with "The Game" at the Royal Rumble.
[King] Look at this.
I'm sure this is bringing back some bad memories for Triple H right now.
Triple H must've took 50 of those shots last night
at the Royal Rumble.
[JR] Triple H was busted open. He was bleeding.
Flair tried to get the referee to stop the match because of blood,
but to no avail.
Triple H manhandled the referee to get himself disqualified, to no avail.
He tried to get counted out and leave the arena, to no avail, and--
-Oh, look at this! -[King] Look out!
[JR] That was power. That's a lot of power.
-And… What the hell? -[Earl] Hey, hey, hey!
-[King] What? -[JR] Randy Orton?
-What is Randy Orton doing here? -[bell dings]
[King] What is Randy Orton doing in this ring?!
[JR] Randy Orton, he was intimidated earlier tonight by Scott Steiner.
[both] And now Ric Flair!
[JR] Wallop! Good Lord! Flair's running those chopped hands.
[King] Ah! Run, "Naitch"! Not that way! The other way!
[JR] Steiner taking Flair down. The bell has sounded.
Randy Orton's interference.
-[King] Oh! -[JR] And there's Batista.
Steiner knocking Batista back to the corner,
but Batista's not down yet.
[King] Oh, this thing is deteriorating even further!
Here comes Triple H!
[JR] Wait a minute! What about the note from the doctor?
[King] Well, he's… he's healed!
-[JR] The World Heavyweight Champion! -[Earl] No!
[bell dinging]
[JR] He weaseled out of the ring match tonight
because of that bogus note from his doctor.
And mind you, he looks healthy as hell.
[King] My gosh! Look at him.
He's blasting away at the head and the face of Scott Steiner.
[JR] I can't believe this!
[bell dinging]
Randy Orton and Batista and Triple H
are dismantling Scott Steiner!
[King] Triple H got well in a hurry, didn't he?
[JR] "Big Poppa Pump" is being pummeled!
[Randy] Kick his ass, and I'll hold him.
[JR] This… Man, this reeks of a… a collusion,
of some sort of a setup or something.
[King] Uh-huh.
[JR] Hits hard, and what hard shots.
[King] Look at Flair standing there with that smile on his face.
[JR] Straight right hands.
Straight right hands,
again and again and again, repeatedly.
And Steiner's been busted wide open.
-[Batista] How "bad" are you? -[King] Look at Flair.
Gotta be a highlight of his life. Randy Orton, what are you doing?
[JR] Steiner's got… got knuckle knots all over his head,
thanks to Triple H.
[King] Uh-oh. He's busted bad.
[JR] Oh, what a low blow by Flair!
[scoffs] And now this cheap shot by Randy Orton.
Four men on one!
[Ric] Yes!
[King] Those street shoes of Randy Orton right into the head of "Big Poppa Pump."
-[JR] Steiner-- -[King] Helpless.
[JR] Steiner is getting physically dissected
by "The Game" and his friends.
[man] Let him go!
-[JR] This is sick. -[King] I think that…
Look at this.
-[Batista] You don't scare me, Steiner. -[Triple H] Hold back that side.
Huh? You wanna screw with me, huh?
-I'll show you what I'm talking about. -[JR] This is ridiculous.
Hard right hands.
Steiner can't defend himself.
Steiner being restrained by… by Orton and Batista.
And Flair threatening the referee!
[King] Triple H right into the face of "Big Poppa Pump" saying,
"You don't screw with me."
[JR] What's our administration gonna do about this?
How can anybody consider this Flair-- fair?
-[King] Uh-oh. -[JR] Oh, Steiner's bleeding.
[King] He's helpless right now.
He may be "Big Poppa Pump," he may be "Freakzilla,"
but nobody's gonna be able to stand up against four individuals like this.
[JR] Triple H did everything under the good Lord's sun
to keep from losing his title at the Royal Rumble,
and it has come to this.
-Doctor's note, my Oklahoma ass, King. -[King] They're not gonna stop!
[JR] Oh no.
-Triple H couldn't do this last night. -[King] Pedigree.
Pedigree for "Big Poppa Pump"!
-[JR] The Pedigree by "The Game." -[Randy] That's what you get!
[JR] Bandaged head. A black eye.
And Steiner
looks to be on another planet.
[Triple H's theme music plays]
[JR] What is…
Orton, Flair, Batista, led by "The Game."
Now what's this all about?
[music fades out]
And just like that,
the villainous stable known as Evolution was formed,
and would go on to become
one of the greatest factions in WWE history.
Just not as great as The New Day, of course.
I kid! I kid!
But alas, this alliance of the past, present, and future
made Evolution a force to be reckoned with.
And they set their sights on all the hardware on Raw,
which obviously included the Tag Team Championships.
Now, let's take you back to a Raw Classic.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair and "The Animal" Batista
taking on RVD and Booker T
with the tag titles on the line.
[Booker T's theme music plays]
♪ It's the Booker man ♪
[JR chuckles] Wow!
And we are back live, here on Raw,
in the Joe Louis Arena.
What an historic night!
And what a tag team combination!
♪ Can you dig it? ♪
-♪ Can you dig it? ♪ -[bell dings]
[Lilian] The following tag team contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the World Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 491 lbs,
they are the Tag Team Champions,
Booker T and Rob Van Dam!
[JR] What a night, ladies and gentlemen.
One of three championship matches that you're gonna see live here tonight.
World Tag Team belt, King, on the line here.
[Evolution's theme music plays]
[Lilian] Introducing the challengers,
at a combined weight of 552 lbs,
Batista and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair!
[King] Well, JR, these two guys have gotta be feeling the sting right now.
They've… they've lost their…
well, their… their leader, Triple H, "The Game."
[JR] Triple H got drafted earlier tonight by SmackDown.
And Flair and Batista looking to regain the World Tag Team titles
here in Detroit tonight.
♪ Yesterday's too long ago ♪
♪ Don't agree with what I know ♪
♪ Tomorrow, got no place to be ♪
[JR] Boy, this is somethin'.
[King] You know what I just… just thought about, I just remembered?
What about those trades, JR?
There's a midnight deadline. What… what could happen?
[JR] Man, who knows?
With Heyman and… and Bischoff dealing with each other,
anything could happen, and…
certainly, uh, we'll keep you up to date on WWE.com,
where I'll sure be following all the stories.
♪ Evolution ♪
And Ric Flair trying to… he's trying to get in the head of Booker T.
Again, Triple H tonight, who got drafted by SmackDown,
will challenge Eddie Guerrero for the WWE title, live, later tonight.
You heard that right.
Triple H, now on SmackDown,
will challenge Eddie Guerrero for the WWE title here.
[fans cheer]
[King] I don't know what to say.
I mean, I wanna see that… well, that WWE title match,
but a SmackDown title here on Raw?
It's like dogs and cats living together. It's just not right.
[JR] Well, Ric Flair and Batista have a taste of the tag team gold.
They certainly wanna regain it from Booker T and Rob Van Dam.
Nice hammerlock by Booker T.
Well, you gotta wonder what kind of effects the…
the physical nature of The Dudleys,
a matchup of Van Dam and Booker T,
might have on the Tag Team Champions tonight, if any.
[King] Well, I'm wondering what kind of mental effects
the loss of "The Game" is gonna have on Ric Flair and Batista.
I don't even know how they can concentrate on this match.
We've said all night, this is historic.
Well, that was a bombastic takedown.
[JR] Tag made by Flair, in comes the big "Animal" Batista.
Batista, a young man, 6'6", about 320 lbs,
and he is certainly a physical difference-maker.
Irish whip aimed at Booker T.
The veteran from Houston putting on the brakes.
And here comes Rob Van Dam.
Right here from this great state of Michigan is Van Dam.
I tell you, King, with the way this… this draft lottery is going,
you know, this could be the last time we see either of these two teams intact.
[King] Well, I'll tell you, tag teams are falling by the wayside
faster than you can say, "Well, you're gone."
And… I… I could tell that…
Look at the effect that this is having on Batista.
-He's just not himself. -[JR] Van Dam crossbody here.
With, uh, Evolution losing their leader…
And that's… that's a good move there by Van Dam.
Dropkick in the patella, that kneecap of Batista.
Tagging in now Booker T is Rob Van Dam…
[King] Don't think it should be allowed, a move like that.
That's like a chop block in football.
You're gonna take somebody's knee out.
[JR] And Booker T… Nice teamwork.
Booker T looking for three.
But this is not the NFL. This is the WWE.
This is Monday Night Raw. Tag made.
We're live in Detroit, Michigan, for what can only be described
as one of the most historic nights
in the history of this… this great company.
[King] It's earth-shattering.
I don't know if you've heard the news yet, but Raw has, well,
Triple H, "The Game," is going to SmackDown.
Two tag teams have broken up. Oh!
[JR] I'll tell you what, before this night is over, King,
one of these two teams is gonna be broken up as well.
As Booker T turns the tables on "The Dirtiest Player in the Game."
World Tag Team titles on the line here.
-And Flair tasting those right-hand chops. -[King] Look at Booker T go!
I don't think he's suffering any ill effects from the damage right now.
Oh, poor Flair.
-[JR] Flair sent on a ride by Booker T. -[King] Oh, look out!
[JR] And Flair elevated into the lights with that back body drop.
Flair now begging off. He doesn't want any--
[King] He's not begging. He's just trying to reason with Booker.
-[JR] Negotiating? -[King] Yeah, look. Oh!
[JR] A thumb to the eyes was negotiated there…
[King] Look at that strut. That was so good.
[JR] …by Charlotte, North Carolina's own, "Nature Boy" Ric Flair.
[King] You see that? The referee turns his head for just a second.
And that's all "The Nature Boy" needs.
[JR] Flair's got great peripheral vision,
as it comes to knowing where the officials are.
And a cheap shot by Batista.
The referee questioning Batista, who's denying his culpability.
[King] Stay outta there, Van Dam. You're not the legal man.
-[JR] Ric… -[Batista] Come on, baby!
[JR] Three championship matches on tap here tonight.
Knife-edge by Flair.
The hook of the leg. Booker T able to kick out.
[King] Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Did you say "three," JR?
-Three Championship matches here tonight? -[JR] Yeah. Two still to come!
Eddie Guerrero…
Can you believe Eddie Guerrero's defending the WWE title here on Raw?
Man, I… I love Eddie Guerrero in the ring. Man, he is an awesome competitor.
But he may have met his Waterloo tonight against a very irate…
You saw the expression on "The Game's" face.
Eddie Guerrero and Triple H tonight.
[crowd chant] RVD! RVD! RVD!
RVD! RVD! RVD! RVD!
[King] Can you imagine how fired-up Rhyno's gonna be
right here in his own hometown of Detroit?
[JR] Marked shot by "The Master."
Ric Flair again, and Booker T fighting right back out of that corner.
And Booker T and Flair hammering each other.
Booker T getting the better of the situation.
Right hand by Booker T.
[King] Gonna need to reason with him again, Ric.
[JR] "The Nature Boy," the veteran.
[King] That'll knock some sense into him.
[JR] Remember, 16-time World Heavyweight Champion, Ric Flair--
[King] Don't do it. This has never worked. Have you ever seen this work, JR?
-[JR] Flair on top. -[King] Oh!
[JR] And what goes up came down very aggressively.
-[King] Hey, wait a minute. -[JR] There's a tag. That's…
-I don't think that's a legal tag. -[King] I don't either.
[JR] That was a Five-Star Frog Splash by Van Dam.
[King] Things are looking bad for Evolution.
[JR] Van Dam's going to the cover.
And-- No. Oh, Van Dam…
Van Dam may have hurt himself in that Five-Star.
The World Tag Team Championship match will continue when we come back.
We're back live here on Spike TV.
A huge crowd here in Detroit at the Joe Louis Arena.
One of three championships to be decided live here tonight.
In progress, the World Tag Team titles.
Booker T has been punished, King,
during the commercial break by this… this big "Animal" Batista.
I am amazed that Booker T is still upright.
[King] Yes, Evolution is finally focused.
They are finally into this match. Oh well, maybe I spoke too soon.
Get up, Batista.
[JR] Batista knocked loopy there. Booker T has a chance to make a tag.
-[King] No! -[JR] And does so.
Booker T tagging in Rob Van Dam.
And Booker T…
-[King] No! Oh my God! -[JR] Look at the teamwork.
Great teamwork by the World Tag Team Champions.
The Michigan native, Van Dam, going for the cover.
Champion-- And Flair interrupts the count.
[King] That's why he's "The Master."
[JR] Flair interrupting the count,
perhaps saving Batista from being counted down there.
-[King] Get out, Booker. Get out. -[JR] Booker can't--
-A chop block by Flair. -[King] Hey! There was a chop block.
[JR] Flair with a vile chop block on Rob Van Dam,
and the referee didn't see it.
Flair saw the opening.
The referee was putting Booker T out of the ring.
[King] Just remember, it's not cheatin' if you don't get caught.
[JR] Van Dam may have really damaged that leg.
Of course, Flair, as we all know, "The Master of the Figure-Four Leglock."
[King] Hmm. Let's see. I wonder what Flair will do here.
He's got an opponent with a damaged leg…
[JR] Flair stomping away on that leg.
There will be no wasted motion by "The Dirtiest Player in the Game."
Van Dam thought he was gonna roll out of the ring there.
But that's not Van Dam's style.
[King] Oh, you won't see Flair going after his arm,
or Van Dam's neck, or Van Dam's back.
-It's his leg. He's got him. -[JR] The submission move.
And Flair pretty much has Van Dam in the center of the ring.
Van Dam's gotta make a tag or get to the ropes.
[King] Or tap out. There's your choice.
Tap out, Van Dam. Do the smart thing. Save your knee.
[JR] And the World Tag Team Championship hangs in the balance here.
[crowd chants] RVD! RVD!
[King] Flair has this thing locked in, this Figure-Four. It's deadly.
[JR] This huge crowd, here in the Joe,
trying to will Van Dam back into it.
And Van Dam
trying to fight closer to those ropes.
[King] Pull him back, "Naitch"!
[JR] Van Dam's got his mitts onto the bottom rope.
Flair's gotta break the hold
by a count of five, or he would've been disqualified.
You notice, Flair, the veteran, broke it on four.
[King] Why don't you say something about Van Dam taking the cowards' way out?
[JR] How do you figure that?
[King] Pulling himself over and grabbing the bottom rope.
[JR] I don't agree with that analogy, but that's your opinion.
And right now, Flair continues to be relentless,
as Flair focusing on the leg of Rob Van Dam.
[King] Listen…
Woo-hoo!
[JR] Flair bringing Van Dam to the center of the ring.
-Oh, Van Dam! -[King] Oh no! Oh no!
[JR] With the enzuigiri, and down goes Flair.
Van Dam, out of desperation, nailed the enzuigiri.
[King] Flair's addled.
He was knocked senseless.
Get him, Ric!
[JR] Flair again. And Van Dam!
The step-over heel kick by Rob Van Dam
caught Flair right in the beak.
[King] How does… Oh, and that could be fatal.
[JR] Van Dam near the corner with Booker T.
And Van Dam makes the tag, and so does Flair!
Booker T and Batista, the two legal men here,
with the World Tag Team title on the line.
[King] Oh my gosh!
[JR] Booker T exploding right in the face of Batista.
-[King] Come on, Ric. Get in there. -[JR] Nice martial arts kick.
And Flair is knocked down by Booker T.
Booker T trying to maintain dominance on Batista,
and that's not an easy thing to do.
[King] I don't think I've ever seen Booker T as fired up as he is tonight.
[JR] World Tag Team's on the line.
Could this be the last night we see either of these two teams together?
-[King] Oh no! -[JR] The Book End!
The Book End by Booker T!
[King] I'm afraid this is it for Evolution.
What a bad, sad night this has been for Evolution.
[JR] And Booker T is feeling it.
Watch. This could be the last Spinaroonie you ever see Booker T do here on Raw.
[King] A big Motor City Spinaroonie-- Oh!
[JR] Ric Flair takes the shoe leather right to… right to the face.
And Booker T now.
Oh, and The Scissors Kick, and down goes Batista.
-This one should be over. The cover. -[King] It's a shame. Hey!
[JR] Flair again pulling Booker T right off Batista.
[King] Flair's the greatest-- Oh, look out.
[JR] Van Dam, with a straight right hand, knocking down Ric Flair.
[King] Rolling Thunder! Oh!
[JR] Van Dam with a Rolling Thunder on Flair, but--
[King] Get Van Dam outta there. He's not even the legal man.
[referee] Come on. Let's go. Come on, Flair.
[JR] Batista now trying to load up Booker T.
And what's Van Dam--
-[King] Oh! -[JR] Oh!
-Van Dam springboarding. -[King] Hey!
[JR] He inadvertently hit his own partner.
-[King] Well… -[JR] Van Dam was aiming for Batista.
But he got Booker T instead.
[King] Come on, Batista! You gotta capitalize on this!
-[JR] Batista-- -[King] Gonna make it hurt!
[JR] Oh, "The Animal" with a sit-down powerbomb.
-Tag titles on the line. -[King] Oh my God!
-[JR] The cover! -[King] Yes!
[JR] And that's three, and we've got new World Tag Team Champions!
[Lilian] Here are your winners and the new World Tag Team Champions,
Batista and "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair!
[JR] In our first championship match,
we've crowned new World Tag Team Champions.
And, King, could this be a sign of things to come live here tonight?
[King] All I can tell you is I've never seen bigger odds overcome
than these two men just did.
Losing "The Game," but winning the World Tag Team titles.
What a coup for Evolution.
[JR] Evolution regrouped after Triple H was drafted onto SmackDown.
And you gotta give the devils their due here.
[King] Let's see how it happened. Look at this.
You can see what was about to happen here.
Van Dam and Booker T, they were gonna set up Batista,
but it backfired.
And then this didn't backfire, that huge powerbomb by Batista.
[JR] Batista drilling Booker T.
Flair and Batista are the new World Tag Team Champions,
but will they even be a team when we go off the air here tonight?
♪ Evolution ♪
[Evolution's theme music playing]
[music fades out]
World Tag Team champs for the second time.
Batista's meteoric rise was in full flight,
rocketed by his 2005 Royal Rumble win,
which guaranteed him a world title match at WrestleMania
against the champion of his choosing.
The power was in his hands.
Would it be SmackDown's WWE Champion, JBL,
or his Evolution teammate,
the World Heavyweight Champion, Triple H?
The answer to this question is without a doubt
"The Animal"'s defining WWE moment.
Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we make history.
Because, tonight,
Dave Batista is going to sign one of these two contracts.
A Raw contract…
[crowd cheering]
…which will mean Batista
will face Triple H at WrestleMania 21
for the Heavyweight title…
or…
a SmackDown contract…
[crowd booing, jeering]
…which means Batista would face
JBL and John Cena
in a Triple Threat match
for the WWE title at WrestleMania.
With that said, allow me to introduce the winner of the 2005 Royal Rumble,
Batista!
[JR] Well, this pro-Raw crowd, it's easy to determine what they want.
[King] But what does he want?
[suspenseful rock music playing]
[JR] I just don't know what to expect here.
The winner of the Royal Rumble has got a main event at WrestleMania
guaranteed.
[King] But will it be for the… World Heavyweight Championship
or the WWE title?
[JR] Wouldn't you love to know what Batista's thinking about now?
[King] We know what Triple H and Flair want.
[rock music fades out]
[fans cheering, whooping]
[indistinct shouting, chanting]
Batista, before you… you make any decisions,
there's a couple things that I wanna say.
By signing this contract, two things are going to happen.
First and foremost,
you remain with Raw.
[crowd cheers]
The flagship program!
The number one brand in all of sports entertainment!
And the brand that made you a superstar.
Raw is a brand that will give your… your career stability,
because unlike other general managers…
my job is not in jeopardy.
But more importantly, by signing this contract,
it means that you'll face Triple H…
one-on-one…
for the Heavyweight title at WrestleMania.
It's the dream of every Superstar in our business
to face Triple H,
a man who is arguably one of the biggest names
in the history of our industry.
A man that even "The Nature Boy," he says it best,
Ric Flair says it best,
"To be 'The Man',
you've gotta beat that man, Triple H."
And this is your opportunity.
So, Batista, this… this isn't really a question.
It's a simple thing.
Sign the contract,
reach your dreams.
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Just a minute.
Just a minute.
Now, Batista,
actually, there is a choice.
Now, you can sign this contract
and come to SmackDown.
[crowd boos]
Now, we all…
You can't tell me
that you didn't feel
the electricity
when you walked out on No Way Out last night.
Now, we all saw what you could do
to the WWE Champion, JBL.
We also saw the magic
when you stared John Cena in the eye.
Now, think about this, Batista.
John Cena, Batista,
the two hottest commodities in the WWE,
on the same show.
In fact, you two could start your own rivalry.
It could be the biggest rivalry since "Stone Cold" Steve Austin…
[crowd cheers]
…and The Rock.
[crowd cheers]
Now,
not only is it JBL
and John Cena waiting for you at SmackDown.
It's Eddie Guerrero,
Rey Mysterio,
Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle.
And think about this.
One day,
it could be… Batista
one-on-one
with The Undertaker!
But you know something, playa?
In order for this to happen,
you have to sign this contract.
[crowd boos]
Now,
you beat JBL,
you beat John Cena
in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 21,
and I assure you
that your career will blow up
on SmackDown.
Now, it's time
for you to make that decision, playa.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[Triple H] Dave…
this shouldn't be a very difficult decision for you.
'Cause there's really only one person
that you need to listen to.
See, because it's not
what's best for Raw.
And it's not about
what's best for SmackDown.
It's about one thing, big man.
It's about what's best for you.
It's about what's best
for Batista, man.
And I don't want you to worry about Ric and myself,
'cause, hey, what's best for Batista
will be best for Evolution.
I want you to picture something, Dave. Imagine this.
It's WrestleMania 21.
It's all said and done,
and I'm standing in the middle of this ring
still the World Heavyweight Champion.
[crowd booing]
And standing right next to me
is the new WWE Champion, Batista.
Think about it, Dave.
We would rule the world.
We would answer to no one, man.
Everything we ever dreamed of.
Do you know how big that is?
Think about it like this.
It's 1986.
The Four Horsemen are running wild.
Ric Flair is the NWA Champion.
But what if…
what if
Arn Anderson were the WWE Champion, huh?
They would've been unstoppable.
But it never happened.
Think about it like this.
DX in our prime, on top of our game.
Shawn Michaels is the WWE Champion.
What if
I had been the WCW Champion?
We could have written history.
Do you see that, Dave?
But it never happened.
You and I…
you and I have an opportunity
to make history,
and we owe it to ourselves to do it.
Now, Dave…
I don't want you to be concerned about Bradshaw.
I don't want you to be concerned about Cena.
Because I know, deep inside of my heart,
you could beat both those guys at the same time like that.
You see, Dave,
we have an opportunity
to do the greatest thing that has ever been done in this industry.
We owe it to ourselves,
we owe it to the world,
you and I, to walk that aisle
with "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
side-by-side, owning this business.
Doesn't seem like a difficult decision to me at all, Dave.
It really doesn't.
And I've got a feeling…
you know what you wanna do, big man, don't ya?
You know what you wanna do.
[Batista chuckles]
Hunter,
I've known what I was gonna do
for a long time.
[crowd cheers]
[microphone plunks]
All right.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[booing]
[woman] No, no, no, no, no! No!
Yes!
Hey, Dave! Hey!
-That is the plan. We'll do it. -[Ric] Dave! Dave! Dave!
-We'll do it all. We'll do it all. -[Ric] Yeah! Yeah!
-You know what I'm saying, big man? -Yeah!
[crowd shouting]
[crowd cheering elatedly]
[JR] Oh! Batista!
[King] What is he doing? Look at this!
[JR] What is…
My God! Batista, the thumbs-down to the… to the World Champion!
-[King] He just… -[JR] Evolution's "Animal."
[King] He just almost took Triple H's head off!
And he's dumped "Naitch" out of the ring.
Wait a minute. What are you doing, Batista?
What are you doing?
[JR] My God!
[King] If you do this, there's no turning back!
-No! -[JR] Oh, God Almighty!
What a big powerbomb
through the table!
The World Champion through the table!
[crowd chants] Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
[overlapping chanting continues]
[crowd cheers]
[cheers subside]
Hunter, I'm staying right here on Raw.
[crowd cheers]
And at WrestleMania,
I'm taking the World Championship
from you!
-[rock music plays] -[JR] Well, the deal is done!
The untamed spirit of "The Animal" known as Batista
has made his decision!
Batista will stay on Raw!
And Batista
will go to WrestleMania 21,
and if the deal is set in granite,
Batista will come for the World title
against "The Game."
And it's gonna happen at WrestleMania 21!
[music fades out]
And with that powerbomb,
Batista officially took the next step in his own evolution.
And from there, would go on to defeat Triple H at WrestleMania 21,
for his first World Heavyweight Championship.
Now a bona fide main-eventer,
Batista's first title defense
came just a couple months later on Monday Night Raw,
when he faced "The Rated-R Superstar" Edge.
♪ You think you know me ♪
[JR] And we are back live here, ladies and gentlemen, on Monday Night Raw.
Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler live from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
It's Titletown,
and the richest title in this business about to be decided.
The World Heavyweight Championship.
[Edge's theme music playing]
[King] Well, you gotta give credit to Edge, JR.
I don't care what you think about Edge and Lita's relationship.
You gotta give credit to "Mr. Money in the Bank"
after all he's been through to be where he is now.
[bell dinging]
[Lilian] The following contest is scheduled for one fall,
and it is for the World Heavyweight Championship!
Introducing the challenger, from Toronto, Canada,
weighing in at 250 lbs,
Edge!
[JR] Well, Edge can certainly be called a lot of things.
"Mr. Money in the Bank" could be one.
"A relationship-breaker."
"A relationship-wrecker" could be another one.
-But tonight, it could be the best of all. -[King] Yeah.
[JR] The Heavyweight Champion of the World.
[King] He'd like to be called that.
[JR] And that's what it's all about in this business.
To be on top of the mountain,
looking down upon all,
as the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
[music fades out]
[King] Lot of kissing on Raw.
I like that.
[JR] Don't get no ideas.
-[crowd chants] Batista! Batista! -[King] Uh-oh.
[crowd] Batista! Batista!
-[Batista's theme music plays] -[crowd cheers]
[JR] In your face!
[Lilian] And from Washington, DC,
weighing in at 318 lbs,
he is the World Heavyweight Champion,
Batista!
[JR] Six-feet-six, 317 lbs.
He's all man and a yard wide.
The Heavyweight Champion of the World…
about to defend his championship against the number one contender.
[fireworks popping]
-[crowd cheers] -[JR] Wow.
[King chuckles] That blew your hat off.
He gunned down your hat. Now can he gun down Edge?
[fans whoop]
[JR] One-fall match
for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.
What better place than Titletown, USA, here in Green Bay?
And Edge has got one thing on his mind
with that woman at ringside,
and that's to leave Green Bay as the World Champion.
-[Batista yells] -[crowd cheers]
[JR] I have a lot of respect and admiration,
professionally and personally,
for the World Heavyweight Champion.
[King] He is a hoss. Look at him.
What do you have for those two, JR? Go ahead, say it.
Don't sugarcoat it. Just tell me.
[JR] Well, I obviously don't have a very high opinion of those two.
[King] Well, what if he becomes the World Heavyweight Champion tonight?
Will you have a little more respect for Edge then?
[JR] I didn't say a damn thing about his athleticism
or his ability in the ring.
His transgressions, to the best of my knowledge,
didn't happen in the ring,
as far as, uh… Lita is concerned.
But the bottom line is… is that Edge won the Gold Rush Tournament.
-He beat some impressive individuals. -[King] Right.
And you need to get over this thing with him and Lita's transgressions.
Breakups happen every day, JR.
[JR] That's what it's about right there, the World Heavyweight Championship.
It's not about relationships and none of that other BS.
It's about being the Heavyweight Champion of the World.
That's why a man gets into this business. To be the best.
And to be the best,
you've gotta be the World Heavyweight Champion.
Batista is the man.
Edge wants to be the man.
And they're here to settle it tonight, live, here in Green Bay.
[King] Lita has hung her star on the man that she thinks is gonna be the man,
the next World Heavyweight Champion, and that's Edge.
-Oh, look at that shot. -[JR] Cheap shot by Edge.
Edge loves forearm shots.
Now closed-fist right hands.
In the corner with referee, Chad Patton, the official here.
Batista. Set. Braced. Reversed.
And a big shoulder block.
Edge, by winning the tournament, earned this opportunity.
And let's not forget, he also won the "Money in the Bank" Battle Royal
at WrestleMania 21.
-[King] Oh my God. -[JR] God. What… what velocity.
So Edge has got another opportunity in that… in that briefcase.
[King] Right. He's got two shots at winning the World Championship.
Tonight's shot and any other night he wants.
-[JR] That other shot doesn't expire-- -[King] Oh, look out! Incoming!
[JR] Incoming is right!
Batista, 317,
absolutely manhandling and dominating Edge here, the number one contend--
-Oh, wait. Wait a minute. -[King] Uh-oh. Look who's here.
-[JR] Wait a minute. -[King] Look who's here.
[JR] Well, I'll tell ya what. I don't like the smell of this.
That's Christian and Tomko.
And earlier tonight, folks, if you just joined us,
there was a deal that was made between Edge, Christian, and Tomko.
We'll tell you about it.
This match continues live from Green Bay when we come back.
We're back live here on Monday Night Raw from Green Bay, Wisconsin.
The World Heavyweight title on the line.
And Batista, the World Champion, with a decided advantage here now.
Here and now. And look at this. Christian with a cheap shot.
And Batista down.
Earlier tonight, Edge went into Batista--
Or, excuse me, into Christian and Tomko's locker room,
and it seems they made a deal.
Edge said to Christian, "You help me win the World title,
and I might give you what's in this briefcase."
[King] Well, here's a little help.
[JR] And what's in that briefcase is another World title match
that's good up until next year at WrestleMania.
And that steel ring post did not budge an inch.
[King] That's right.
Christian doesn't have to wait or worry about
what's behind door number one, two, or three.
It's what's in that briefcase.
That's Money in the Bank and the World title shot anytime he wants.
[JR] So Edge is trying to hedge his bets
in this collusionary arrangement with Christian.
-[King] "Collusionary"? -[JR] Well, that's what it is.
He needs backup.
I guess he didn't feel like he was man enough
to beat Batista one-on-one.
[King] Well, he's a big banker now, you know?
He's got Money in the Bank, and he needs an insurance policy.
[JR] You can hear that impact of those shots right to the massive back
of the World Heavyweight Champion by Edge.
-[crowd] Batista! -[JR] And this crowd here in Green Bay…
…really trying to will Batista back into this fight
for the World Heavyweight title.
Look at that. Blatant rake to the eyes. Batista blinded temporarily.
Oh! And a shot right to the face for the defenseless champion.
And there's the cover. Four leg hook.
And Batista powered out at the two-count.
Edge a second away from being the World Hea--
And another count!
The body scissors.
[King] What do you think… speaking of body scissors,
what do you think Edge and Lita's celebration will be like tonight
if he wins this World Heavyweight Championship?
[JR] I don't know. For people like you, they could tape it.
And they could sell it on the… on the Internet.
-How about that? -[King] I'd buy it!
[JR] Those long legs of Edge have grounded the World Heavyweight Champion, Batista.
And again,
"The Problem Solver" Tomko, Christian,
and certainly, of course, Lita
are all at ringside.
The deck really stacked against the World Champion.
[King] Is it just me or does Lita look more seductive now that she's with Edge?
Look at the strength of Batista here.
[JR] Batista now trying to
disturb this advantage that Edge had earned.
-And now Batista has turned those hips. -[King] Uh-oh.
[JR] Big right hands. It won't take too many of those.
He's regaining a decided advantage.
[King] Chris was about to enter the ring!
[JR] He needs to get this sucker off the apron.
And another thumb to the eye, fingers to the eye, and getting blinded.
As Batista couldn't see that
spinning heel kick coming.
The lateral press. No! There's a count.
Kickout. And a near… near fall.
The second near fall in the last minute or so,
created by the number one contender.
[King] I want you to answer me this.
What's more illegal in this match, a… a mere thumb to the eye,
or those big hammering fists, those big right fists
that Batista was throwing at Edge's head?
[JR] They're both violations of the rules. No doubt about that.
But I gotta tell ya.
What's more disturbing than that are all these… these, uh, Edge's allies,
at least for this night, around the ring.
It's gotta be distracting.
We know why Christian and Tomko are here.
To interfere, if they can. To distract the referee, if they can.
And to help Edge win, if they can.
[King] It's Money in the Bank for "Captain Charisma."
I would love to see him get a chance at the World Heavyweight Championship.
Batista grounded for the time being.
Edge gotta be thinking, "I gotta get…
maintain this advantage."
-[King] We know why Lita's here. -[JR] "I gotta hit a spear or two."
[King] Behind every successful man, there's a woman, and there she is.
[crowd chants] Batista! Batista!
-[JR] Edge-- -[King] There she is.
[JR] Edge turning into a sleeper.
[King] Lita's literally pouring her heart out over there.
-[JR] Will you stop about Lita already? -[King] What?
[JR] It's not about Lita! It's about the World title.
And the World Champion now has a sleeper hold applied.
[King] Should've kept--
Tell Christian to keep an eye on that briefcase that contains that…
that world championship contract, Money in the Bank.
[JR] The number one contender for the World title
with a sleeper applied to Batista.
-[King] He's down. He's out. -[JR] If his arm drops for…
-[crowd] Batista! Batista! -[JR] …three times, this one is over.
[King] That's two!
[JR] And really, that's like having a two-count.
If the arm drops, we've got a new World champ.
-And Batista… -[crowd cheers]
[JR] …is reaching down with everything he's got.
He's gotta fight back in this thing.
Batista's gotta… he's gotta stand up right and fight with everything he's got here.
[King] Batista's broken the sleeper.
-Oh, look at that dropkick! -[JR] What a dropkick!
A beautiful dropkick by the number one contender.
[King] Oh man. What a dropkick.
[JR] And that oxygen, uh,
restricted to the… to the brain of Batista.
He got hit with that dropkick, and now he is in a bad, bad way
against the World Champion.
[King] What does it take for you, JR, to get impressed with Edge?
This man is very impressive. Look out.
[JR] The World Heavyweight Championship. We are live in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
This match is for the Heavyweight Championship of the World.
The champion, Batista, now climbing to the second rope
to face his number one contender, Edge, man-to-man.
[King] Be careful, Edge.
Be careful. Nothing good can happen up there.
You need to get outta there!
[JR] Edge trying to step up and get away. He's not going.
-Look at this! -[King] No!
-[JR] Superplex! -[King] He can do it, Lita!
[JR] It hurt the champion, but it may have destroyed the challenger.
The superplex. Edge came off the top turnbuckle.
Referee Chad Patton's got a ten-count to work with.
The championship cannot change hands on disqualification or a countout.
[King] Wow.
[JR] Batista's trying to…
to regather himself.
-[King] He's a little disoriented. -[JR] No doubt about that.
There's no doubt about that.
It is anybody's… any… anybody's ball game here.
Edge on the inside. Lita, Christian, and Tomko on the outside.
But one big right hand.
Edge fighting back, to his credit, but he's staggered by the World Champion.
Batista so big, so powerful, so strong and intense.
[King] Come on, Edge. You cannot match fists with Batista.
-Oh! -[JR] A clothesline. What an impact!
[crowd cheers]
[King] Oh no. Batista's gaining momentum here.
[JR] Missed a clothesline.
[King] Oh no! Oh my God!
[JR] God. The referee's head may be cracked open.
Edge and the referee collided,
and Batista…
[both] Oh!
[JR] A modified powerslam on Edge.
Oh, the referee's down, and this…
-This is… unsettling as hell. -[King] Oh no. This is it.
-[JR] Batista. -[King] Look out!
[JR] Oh, what a shot!
-What a shot by Tomko! -[King] Did you see that?
[JR] Look! Double-team!
Like a pack of wild dogs attacking the World Champion,
with the referee down and the title on the line!
[King] This is Money in the Bank. You can't help but enjoy this, JR.
-[JR] This is absolutely hideous! -[King] The deal coming to fruition.
-This is the… -[crowd cheers]
-[JR] What the… what the hell is… -[King] What is Flair doing?
-[JR] It's "The Nature Boy" Ric Flair! -[King] What the hell?
-[JR] Flair coming to Batista's aid! -[King] Look out!
[JR] "The Nature Boy" is stylin' and profilin'!
[King murmurs perplexedly]
-[exclaims] -[JR] Oh! The spear!
Flair just got speared!
I mean a big-time spear!
And now look at Tomko and Christian beating the hell out of Ric Flair,
who came to save Batista.
[King] Oh! And now Batista's about to pick up where he left off.
-Look at Tomko! -[JR exclaims]
And a spinebuster!
-[King] Look out, "Captain Charisma"! -[JR] Big-time!
That would crack the frozen tundra.
And a clothesline! There goes the "Problem Solver"!
There goes Christian with his "Peeps"!
-[King] Oh! -[JR] With a spear! The spear!
It may be over! It may be over!
-Oh, but the referee… -[King] Get over there, referee!
-A spear! -[JR] Referee's trying to get there.
-[King] Edge has done it! -[JR] Oh no, no, no!
-[King] Yes! -[JR] No!
-[King] Yes, he's done it! -[JR] No!
-[King] Count! -[JR] No! King!
[crowd cheers wildly]
-[King] Come on! -[JR] Batista kicked out, by God!
And now look at Lita!
-[King] Briefcase! -[JR] No, no.
-[King] Yeah, briefcase. -[JR] This is not right!
This is not right! This is how Edge won the tournament to start with.
And the referee is still out.
[King] This is why it's called Money in the Bank,
and Edge is about to cash it in.
-[JR] Oh no. -[King] Come on! Open the vault!
Oh! Oh no!
[JR] My God! Batista, he avoided that metal briefcase!
But what a slam to Edge!
-Raw, animalistic power! -[King] I don't like the looks of this!
[JR] Thumbs-up, thumbs-down! And we know what that means!
[King] Edge! Edge!
[JR] Batista Bomb!
Batista Bomb!
The leg is hooked.
-Finally, the count. -[King] No! No!
[JR] And Batista wins it! The World Champion wins it!
"The Beast" has been released!
[Lilian] Here is your winner, and still the World Heavyweight Champion,
Batista!
[JR] "The Animal" rose to the occasion!
He overcame every odd, every obstacle.
And thank God that Ric Flair was able to pull Christian and Tomko,
at least for a moment, off of the World Champion.
[rock music playing]
[King] Lita can't believe it. I can't believe it. I'm stunned!
[crowd cheers]
[JR] Batista has overcome every obstacle and all the odds.
The World Champion
has walked through hellfire, and I'll tell you what, he has done it.
[music fades out]
"Animalistic" is right.
A brute show of strength and determination by Batista
that earned him mad respect
from the WWE Universe.
Fast-forward five years.
After a humiliating Attitude Adjustment off the top of a hot rod,
courtesy of John Cena,
the hobbled "Animal" appeared to have reached his wits' end
in yet another very memorable Monday Night Raw moment.
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome "The Animal"
Batista!
-[crowd booing] -[Batista's theme music plays]
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, Batista obviously showing the wounds
from, King, one of the most hellacious matches in recent memory,
here at WWE.
[King] Well, you're right about that, but he did eventually say, "I quit!"
I… Quite frankly, I'm shocked and amazed
that Batista is able to walk out here.
Well, pretty much under his own power. He is being helped.
That was one of the most brutal, uh, vicious matches
that I've ever witnessed.
And… and, uh…
I mean, Batista and John Cena,
both absorbed so much punishment, so much damage.
And the pinfall didn't matter. You couldn't get counted out.
These guys fought all over the arena.
They used every…
I mean, steel chairs, the ring posts, the steel steps,
everything for a weapon imaginable, and…
and finally, I mean, finally,
Batista did say "I quit" to avoid an Attitude Adjustment
where he… it looked like he would've been, you know,
slammed right into the floor, and it didn't matter.
He quit, and Cena still gave him The Attitude Adjustment. And he did go…
Batista went through the floor. I've never seen anything like it.
[Michael] And, ladies and gentlemen, we can tell you, it took some
15 to 20 minutes
for emergency personnel to extract Batista from that hole that was made in the floor.
He was just, uh, wrapped up in all the steel and the metal
after he was put through by John Cena.
[King] That's why I am absolutely amazed that this man is out here tonight.
I mean, God only knows what kind of internal injuries…
You can see the external injuries,
but no telling what's going on inside Dave Batista.
[Michael] Well, Batista didn't have much sympathy.
I mean, look what he tried to do to John Cena last night, King.
He tried to Batista Bomb him out of the stands.
He tried to run him over with an automobile.
-[King] Yeah. -Get out of my spotlight! Go!
[crowd shouts, boos]
Gimme my spotlight!
[King] He's still demanding the spotlight?
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
[man 1 shouts profanity]
[people chant] You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck!
[crowd booing]
All right, I said it. I said it!
Last night,
Batista said
two words
that I never ever thought would come out of my mouth.
"I quit!"
[crowd cheers, boos]
But I said it because my life was being threatened.
[crowd shouts, jeers]
Do you hear what I'm saying? My life was being threatened.
[shouting continues]
So because of John Cena's
malicious actions…
I'm contemplating…
I'm contemplating filing suit
against John Cena.
[crowd booing]
Also, against the WWE.
And also, against every fan in the WWE Universe
for supporting what happened to me!
[crowd booing]
That's not the way a championship match is supposed to happen.
Duct tape, getting thrown off of cars.
[crowd shouting]
And I can stoop to John Cena's low level.
But I believe in something called honor.
[crowd chanting] You suck! You suck! You suck!
You suck! You suck! You suck! You suck!
[King] No sympathy at all from this capacity crowd.
[crowd] You suck! You suck!
[chanting subsides]
So, uh, now, because of multiple injuries,
I'm out for weeks, months, maybe years!
[crowd cheers]
[King] No sympathy at all.
That's… that's all right. That's all right. Cheer now.
'Cause I'll be back.
I'll be back healthier than ever,
stronger than ever,
and one way or another,
John Cena is gonna give me a rematch.
-[crowd boos] -I deserve a rematch!
I'm entitled to a rematch!
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen…
-Hey! Hey! Don't interrupt me! -…I have been asked to introduce to you…
…the new general manager of Monday Night Raw…
WWE Hall of Famer…
-…Bret "The Hitman" Hart! -What?! What?! What?!
[rock music plays]
[King] Bret Hart?
[Michael] Did he just say "the new general manager
of Monday Night Raw"?
[King] Yes!
-[Michael] Bret Hart? -[King] When did this happen?
[Michael] Ladies and gentlemen, we were told last week
that the announcement would be made tonight for a new GM,
but Bret Hart?
[crowd cheering]
[King] Well, I don't think that "The Animal," or Mr. Batista,
appreciates being interrupted,
even by the new general manager.
Get outta here!
-Get outta here! -[King chuckles]
[Batista yelling indistinctly]
[rock music continues]
[King] Batista demanding that Bret Hart leave the ring.
There's a new sheriff in town.
[crowd cheers]
And what I say goes!
On June 20th,
there's gonna be a new WWE pay-per-view concept
called Fatal 4-Way.
[man 2] Yeah!
Now, if John Cena is still champion at the time,
he's gonna take on three different competitors,
all of whom are gonna be decided tonight.
-[crowd cheers] -Tonight?!
What do you mean, tonight?
Now, you said you wanted a match with John Cena.
I deserve a match!
This is your chance to achieve it,
by qualifying
for the Fatal 4-Way right now.
[crowd cheers]
What's wrong with you? Did you not hear me?
I'm sittin' here in a wheelchair. I'm hurt!
[crowd booing, jeering]
[Bret] I know you're hurt.
But so is your opponent.
And your opponent is
Randy Orton.
-[Batista yelling indistinctly] -[Michael] Oh man!
Are you kidding me?
What is your malfunction?
I am hurt!
I cannot compete!
And you can't make me!
You said you wanted a match with John Cena.
Here's your chance.
Take it or forfeit.
It's up to you.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
What do you mean? You can't do that! You don't have the authority to do that!
You do that and I'll quit!
I'll quit this whole company!
I'll leave this business! I'll leave this industry!
I mean it!
[crowd cheering]
Well then, ladies and gentlemen,
on account of a forfeit,
and the winner and qualifying for the Fatal 4-Way,
Randy Orton.
-[crowd cheers] -What?! What?!
Are you kidding me?! Are you-- [groans]
Are you kidding me?
-Hey! Come back here! -[heavy metal music plays]
Come back here!
[King] Is… is that it? Is…
[Batista] Are you serious? Are you serious?
Hey! Get back here!
-[King] You gotta-- -Hey! I'm not kiddin'! Get back here!
I'm serious!
Get back here!
[King] He's leaving.
Hey!
[music fades out]
You think I'm kiddin'?
You think I'm kidding? You think I won't do it?
You think I won't quit?
Huh? You all think I won't quit?
[crowd jeering]
You're nothing without me!
This place is nothing without me!
And it'll go bankrupt within a week!
All of you will be so bored, you'll never watch a show again!
You all pay to see me!
You think I won't quit?
[crowd jeering, shouting]
You think I won't do it?
[man 3] Shut up!
I… quit!
-[crowd cheers] -[microphone clatters]
Come on.
[King] Well, he… he…
Batista quit last night in the match with John Cena,
but I think, right now, he means he's…
quitting the entire WWE.
[Michael] King, I think… I think we… we've underestimated the…
the effect that these matches with John Cena
has had on, uh, Batista's psyche over the past couple of months.
[King] I mean, I can't… I mean, I…
But, you know, I… Wait a minute. I don't know. Let's…
What has happened here?
-Bret Hart's the new general manager, and… -The show'll be over in a week!
-[Michael] And… and… and… -You can all kiss my ass!
[Michael] He told Batista he could qualify for another match with Cena.
Batista refused to… to… to battle Orton tonight,
so Orton advances…
Come on! Get outta here!
[King] Batista said if this takes place, he's gonna quit the entire company?
He's gonna quit the organization? The WWE?
[Batista] You can't see me!
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it… for Batista!
-[crowd booing] -[King] "Hear it for Bat…"?
I don't like you either!
Yeah, you'll miss me when I'm gone!
[King] Is this the last time we're gonna see Dave Batista?
You'll see!
[King] I can't… I'm… I'm in shock. I'm spee-- I don't know.
-I can't believe what we're seeing. -[Batista] Push!
[Michael] Dave Batista has apparently quit WWE.
Well, that's certainly one way to make an exit.
Batista's impulsive decision changed the WWE landscape
for quite some time.
And new stars arrived and ascended in his absence.
But less than four years later,
"The Animal" made a triumphant return to WWE,
making it clear he was back for one thing and one thing only.
-[Batista's theme music plays] -[crowd cheers]
♪ Yeah! ♪
[Michael] Ho ho! After nearly four years…
Whoa!
…Batista's back!
[music halts]
-[crowd cheers] -[music resumes]
[Michael] What an atmosphere here tonight on Monday Night Raw!
[King] Man.
[Michael] The return of the six-time World Champion,
a former Royal Rumble match winner,
Batista is back!
[King] And it may be a cliché to say
that Batista looks better than ever, but you know what?
Batista looks better than ever!
[JBL] He certainly does, King, and this place is absolutely erupting.
[Michael] To use the social media term, guys,
#BatistasBack.
♪ Never knowing what they're about ♪
♪ I guess I'll have to chew them up And spit them out ♪
♪ And I said… ♪
[JBL chuckles]
♪ I walk for miles Inside this pit of danger… ♪
[Michael] One of the most intense Superstars in WWE history.
♪ The weight of the world Is falling on my shoulders ♪
[Michael] And what's interesting, guys, about this is Batista and Randy Orton
both came into their own in WWE
under the tutelage of Triple H and Ric Flair,
as part of the group known as Evolution.
Three-fourths of that group standing in the ring right now.
♪ I walk alone… ♪
[JBL] There's only one corner left.
They're jammed to the rafters to see this man tonight.
"The Animal" is back.
[King] And I don't know if you guys noticed this or not, but…
everyone in this arena seems happy,
except Randy Orton.
[JBL chuckles]
[crowd chants] Batista! Batista! Batista!
[Michael] Triple H and Stephanie have huge grins on their faces.
[crowd] Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
[King] As well as every member of the WWE Universe that's here tonight!
Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
-[chanting subsides] -[crowd cheering, whistling]
[crowd cheers]
[JBL] If you've seen that before, you know what it means.
[inaudible chatter]
[woman 1] I love you, Batista!
[King] I think he's as happy to be back as the Universe is happy to have him back.
[woman 2] Batista!
[crowd cheering]
[man 1] Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
[crowd joins in] Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
[chanting intensifies] Batista! Batista! Batista!
Batista! Batista! Batista! Batista!
-[chanting subsides] -[whistling, whooping]
[crowd booing]
Hello, Randy.
So I understand that you have… a few questions about my return.
[crowd shouting indistinctly]
Let me make this as simple as possible, and let me explain to you why I'm back.
For that.
[crowd cheers]
So whether it's you,
or John Cena, or someone else, I don't care.
I'm back…
-[man 2] Yeah! -[crowd cheers]
…to win the Royal Rumble match on Sunday.
I'm back
to be WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
And I am back
to headline WrestleMania.
So deal with it!
-[crowd cheers] -[microphone thuds]
[Batista's theme music plays]
[King] Well, Batista making no bones about it.
[Michael] The stage is set.
Batista is coming for the WWE World Heavyweight title.
[music fades out]
"The Animal" was back
and ready to pounce.
And while Batista ultimately did not capture gold,
he certainly captured headlines when, just three months later,
he would reunite with two of his Evolution stablemates
for the first time in ten years.
Their targets?
None other than The Shield,
Seth Rollins,
Dean Ambrose,
and Roman Reigns,
whose run in WWE, to that point,
had been simply dominant.
[wrestler] You ain't bad! You ain't bad!
[JBL] All three Shield members are down.
[King] And this team that The Authority put together is not stopping.
[Evolution's theme music plays]
-[JBL] Oh man. -[King] Oh no.
I didn't think it could get any worse, but this may go from bad to worse.
[JBL] The band is back together.
♪ Full of change that no one sees… ♪
-[Michael] Triple H… -♪ Clock makes a fool of history… ♪
Orton, and Batista.
♪ Yesterday's too long ago… ♪
One of the strongest factions in WWE history.
-[JBL] It is. -[Michael] Known as Evolution.
[JBL] This can only mean trouble, and The Shield can only thank themselves.
One of the greatest teams of all time is about to unleash hell.
[Michael] And apparently, Evolution is
joining forces for a common goal.
And The Shield has now become
all three of these men's problem.
[JBL] This yard may now belong to Evolution.
[Michael] Triple H calling off the dogs.
♪ Evolution… ♪
[King] Yeah, but the damage has been done.
The Shield have been decimated here.
[JBL] Yeah, but I'm not sure the damage has been finished.
[music fades out]
The band is back together, boys. This is bad news for The Shield.
[King] I'm afraid you're right.
[JBL] This is a mugging.
[Michael] And the Shield have been rendered helpless.
They've been beaten down by 11 men, and now--
Oh, look at that. Look at Roman Reigns.
[King] Roman Reigns!
[Michael] Trying to fight back. Now Randy, with an RKO, quells that rally.
[JBL] Oh no.
[King] Batista Bomb.
-Oh! -[JBL] Aw…
The Shield on the receiving end of that for a change.
Doesn't feel so good, does it, boys?
[King] Enough is enough, don't you think?
[JBL] This is difficult to watch.
Don't cross the boss.
[Michael] That's a mission statement.
[King] I mean, this is…
[Michael] And an RKO! Come on.
[King] This is like…
You want him?
-[King] This is way over the line here. -[Michael] Oh, this…
All at the behest of Triple H, the CEO of this company.
-And look at Ambrose-- -[King] Ambrose trying to fight back.
[Michael] And help his brethren out, but…
-[King] Yeah. -[Michael] Again, there's nothing left.
Oh, look at Batista.
I mean, Batista…
with a Batista Bomb!
[King] I mean, what does this prove?
These three…
It's like three thugs beating up
three guys after 11 men have done the damage.
[JBL] I'll tell you what it proves.
It proves you don't spit in the wind, don't tug on Superman's cape,
and you don't cross Evolution.
It's The Shield's fault that these guys are back together.
You got this, Randy?
He's got it!
[King] I hope these guys are real proud of themselves.
[JBL] Watch this.
[King] Oh man.
[crowd booing]
[Michael] Just an awful scene.
[King] Yeah. Just another day at the office for The Authority, I guess.
Leave him to me. Let him crawl. Let him crawl.
-Come on. -[Batista] Come on, tough guy.
-Come on. Come on. -Come on, tough guy.
You got more fight in you. Come on.
-Come on, big boy. -Come on! Come on!
Show me! Show me! Come on.
[Roman coughing]
Show me. Show me.
Believe…
-[Roman groans] -…in Evolution.
[crowd shouting]
[King] Oh no.
Believe in Evolution!
[crowd groans]
[crowd booing fervently]
[Evolution's theme music plays]
[King] Hope they let those 11 other thugs come out here
and put them up on their shoulders.
[Michael] Evolution
showing The Shield tonight that it's…
survival of the fittest.
[JBL] We have seen the reuniting of Evolution.
[music fades out]
Three of the greatest WWE Superstars of all time
united in a common desire
to prove they are still the dominant force in WWE.
And just one month later,
"The Animal" Batista and "The Viper" Randy Orton
would again team up
to face the former Tag Team champs and real-life brothers,
Goldust and Cody Rhodes, in this Raw Classic.
[Evolution's theme music plays]
[Michael] You're watching the longest-running
weekly episodic television show in history.
This is Monday Night Raw episode 1096.
[King] Oh man.
[bell dinging]
[Justin] This is a tag team bout set for one fall.
Introducing first, at a combined weight of 523 lbs,
representing Evolution,
"The Viper" Randy Orton
and "The Animal" Batista!
[Michael] King, I gotta ask you.
What do you think is gonna give this coming Sunday
at the Payback pay-per-view,
available on the WWE Network, live in Chicago,
when The Shield takes on Evolution
in a no-holds-barred elimination match?
[King] I'm gonna tell you,
that's a question that I don't have an answer for.
I'm just gonna be there and watch it and witness it.
I mean, anything could happen when these two factions collide.
[Michael] Two of the most successful, most important factions in history
clashing on Sunday.
♪ Evolution ♪
[music ends]
[Goldust's theme music plays]
[Justin] And their opponents, at a combined weight of 452 lbs,
the team of Cody Rhodes and Goldust!
[Michael] King, as I mentioned before,
we are honoring Memorial Day here in the United States.
And to support our military veterans on Memorial Day,
WWE is donating a portion of all sales on WWEshop.com
to Hire Heroes USA.
WWE is proud to support Hire Heroes
as they assist our nation's veterans
in their transition from military service to civilian success.
[King] Oh, it's a great cause, all right. We're proud to be a part of it.
[Michael] We'd like to welcome all our troops
who are watching around the world,
at our bases throughout the world, and, of course, on all our ships at sea
tonight on the American Forces Network.
So Cody and Batista start things off in this tag team match.
And it was almost like Cody and Goldust, King, were picking a fight
with Evolution earlier on tonight.
[King] Well, they went into Triple H's office looking for…
you know, I don't know if it was a fight with Evolution they wanted.
They were just looking for action.
But then it sort of deteriorated, and it's boiled down to this.
And Cody may regret that trip into Triple H's office. Ooh, man.
[Michael] Listen to the things Cody Rhodes said.
He said, "Ten years ago,
Orton and Batista were lapdogs for Triple H."
"Ten years later, they're still lapdogs."
-[King] Yeah. -[Michael] He called Orton "RK-Blows."
And he called Batista "A skinny jeans sell-out."
[King] Well, that's the old expression I've used many times.
Keep your words soft and sweet because you may have to eat 'em.
[Michael] And here comes Goldust.
Goldust and Cody Rhodes were talking earlier
about how they went on to win the Tag Team titles last year
after both were fired here in WWE.
[King] What would you think, Michael? I mean, what would be on your mind
if you were Batista and Randy Orton,
and Cody Rhodes had just called you both lapdogs?
[Michael] Well, I think we're gonna find out in this match.
As Goldust comes over the top. Shoulders down for Orton.
-And a kickout. -[King] Them's fighting words.
[Michael] Nice slam by Goldust.
And a kickout again.
You gotta put yourself, I guess, in Cody's position as well, King.
He comes in off the tag.
Cody has had some problems winning matches as of late.
He's been extremely frustrated,
and perhaps taking out some of his frustration
on Orton and Batista tonight.
[King] The problem with some of those losses Cody has had
is because he and his brother, Goldust, have not been on the same page.
It's… It goes back to since they lost the Tag Team titles months ago,
these two have just not…
they have not meshed like they were at one time.
[Michael] And look at Cody.
Oof!
Remember, Cody knows all about Randy Orton.
A long history between Cody and Randy.
They were once part of a group called The Legacy.
Well, it's Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes.
"The Viper" Orton.
[King] And I'm sure if you asked Cody Rhodes…
Oh!
…he would tell you that Legacy was twice the faction that Evolution is.
[Michael] We're gonna find out who the dominant faction is Sunday.
Batista, Orton, Triple H against The Shield,
no-holds-barred elimination match.
Remember, King, back at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view,
The Shield knocked off Evolution.
A surprise to many.
And Evolution has been dying for this return match.
[King] You're not kidding.
Who do you think a no-holds-barred elimination favors?
[crowd chants] Batista!
[Michael] Well… [chuckles] Oh!
[King] I just have to, uh…
[Michael] Cover off the clothesline by "The Animal."
And Cody gets the shoulder up.
[King] I just have to go with the experience,
and the, um… knowledge,
and possibly even the treachery of Evolution.
I'm afraid that these guys, in a no-holds-barred match,
will be able to think of, uh, things that…
Oh! …that they've done in the past that Shield have yet to witness.
[Michael] Well, there's a reason Triple H is called "The Cerebral Assassin,"
and that man, Randy Orton, is called "The Viper,"
and Batista is called "The Animal."
[King] Whoa!
[Michael] Cody Rhodes trying to fight out of it. Tag to his brother.
And here comes Goldust.
The fairy gold dust.
[King] Wow. Big clothesline putting Batista right on his back.
[Michael] Think about what this would do for the Rhodes Brothers,
to knock off Batista and Orton here on Monday Night Raw.
Talk about getting back on the-- And Orton from behind.
Knee to the spine.
And spinebuster by Batista!
-Is that enough to put Goldust away? -[referee] One!
-Two! -[Michael] Hooks the outside leg.
Almost had a near fall.
[King] Really close, and that…
that wicked smile on the face of "The Viper."
[Michael] Batista and Orton working very well as a team,
dominating Cody and Goldust, as…
-We'll be back with more. -[crowd cheering]
[Michael] And we are back live on Monday Night Raw.
It has been all Evolution.
Batista and Orton picking apart Goldust and Cody Rhodes.
You think they're trying to send a little message, King, to The Shield
as they head toward the Payback pay-per-view Sunday?
[King] I don't think there's any doubt whatsoever.
I mean, look at Randy Orton. He's smiling about this.
Of course, I mean, there is some personal gratification
to, uh, I mean, putting it to Goldust and Cody Rhodes
after the things that Cody Rhodes said to 'em earlier.
But you're right.
This is all about what they wanna do to The Shield Sunday.
[Michael] Yeah, no-holds-barred elimination Sunday.
As Goldust tries to fire out of this here.
And Goldust absorbing a ton of punishment, trying to get to his brother, Cody Rhodes.
Batista trying to use his power and strength here.
Oh man! What a collision!
And Batista right now may put Goldust down.
Somehow, Goldust stayed in it.
Again, if you're just joining us,
Jerry "The King" Lawler and I calling the action here ringside.
Our normal broadcast colleague, JBL, is back in the trainers' room
undergoing medical attention
following an attack by The Wyatt Family earlier tonight.
We'll have an update on JBL's condition a bit later on.
[King] I would hope…
Hopefully, he'll be able to come back out and join us sometime tonight, but…
Well, I'll tell you, right now, Goldust needs some help.
Orton… There's the tag!
[Michael] Critical moment now for the Rhodes Brothers.
-And Cody Rhodes taking out Orton. -[King chuckles] Collision!
[Michael] And Cody had some things to say, and he looks to back them up here.
[King] Uh-oh. Oh, Cody landed on his feet.
-[Michael] Cody, top rope. -[King] Look at this!
[Michael] Oh! Missile dropkick. Down goes Orton.
Cody looking to put Orton away.
-Hook of the leg. -[King] No!
[chuckles] I thought Cody Rhodes had him.
Whoa. Cody on his feet!
[Michael] Disaster Kick to Batista.
[King] He caught Batista when he wasn't looking.
[Michael] And now Cody
slowly stalking, measuring Orton, going for the Disaster--
-RKO! -[King] Oh my God!
-[Michael] From out of nowhere! -[King] Oh my God!
-[Michael] An RKO from Randy Orton. -[King] Wow!
-"The Viper" strikes. -[Michael] How incredible was that?
[King chuckles] I mean…
you hate it for Cody Rhodes, but, man, that was a thing of beauty.
Don't ever count Randy Orton "The Viper" out.
[Batista] Give it to him!
[Michael] Cody went for The Disaster Kick.
-[King] Again! Oh, that's it. -[Michael] A second RKO!
And now Randy Orton…
-One, two, three! -…gonna take care of the Rhodes Brothers.
-[bell dings] -[crowd cheers]
-[rock music plays] -[King] Wow.
What a victory here.
[Justin] Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed
that the match we just saw
was, in fact, an elimination match.
Therefore, Cody Rhodes must exit ringside.
Furthermore, this next match
will be Randy Orton and Batista
versus Goldust
in a handicap no-holds-barred match.
-[King] Come on! -[Michael] My Lord.
Well, you have to assume that those directions
came from The Authority.
[King] Yeah. Remember what Triple H said earlier in his office?
This wasn't gonna be just any kind of match, and it wasn't.
[Michael] Yeah, he said, "This is gonna be no ordinary match."
"It's gonna be interesting."
Those are the words from Triple H earlier tonight.
Now it is a two-on-one handicap match.
-[King] Well, it has become interesting. -[Michael] No-holds-barred.
And Orton and Batista can do whatever they want to the veteran Goldust.
I guarantee you, Goldust is not gonna go down without a fight.
-It doesn't look good for Goldust. -[King] It doesn't.
[Michael] Goldust going right after Orton. And now Batista from behind.
And now the attack is on. Batista and Orton.
They're trying to pick apart Goldust here.
All legal. No-holds-barred elimination, much like it's gonna be like Sunday.
[King] Oh no! No! Oh!
-[Michael] Off the barricade, spine-first. -[Batista] I hope that hurt.
Bring him over here!
[King] Man, no-holds-barred.
I mean, they can do absolutely anything that they want to to Goldust.
Watch out!
-Oh! -[Michael] God!
[crowd shouting angrily]
[King] Goldust sent flying into that wall.
[Michael] Terrible, terrible situation here.
[King] Orton and Batista are in absolutely no hurry.
This is just like a sacrificial…
-[Michael] It's a slaughter. -[King] Yeah, exactly.
[woman] Go, Randy!
[King] And now, you gotta… you gotta wonder.
That question you asked me earlier, Michael.
Are they thinking about Goldust right now, Orton and Batista,
or are they thinking about what is gonna happen
in the no-holds-barred match
with The Shield?
[Michael] They're sending a signal to The Shield.
Goldust nearly helpless.
-Oh, wait a minute. Goldust-- -[King] Hey!
[Michael] …trying to fight back.
-[King] Orton hangs on. -[Michael] And Batista with a spear!
A wicked spear.
[King] Man.
[Michael] Goldust is… Showing no mercy!
[King] Just stay down.
[Michael] Ah, of course, the spear.
[crowd booing]
[King] Well, you said it. No mercy.
Goldust will certainly receive no mercy from Batista and Orton.
[Michael] And a Batista Bomb!
[King] And if The Shield finds themselves in this situation Sunday,
they'll receive no mercy either.
One!
Two!
Three!
[bell dings]
[Batista] Yes!
[music plays]
[King] You know…
[Justin] Our winners in this match, the team of Randy Orton and Batista!
[King] Orton and Batista very proud of themselves right now.
And, you know, not taking anything whatsoever away from Goldust,
but this match was not against The Shield.
[Michael] Yeah, but, King, you made a good point earlier.
The numbers could line up like this on Sunday.
[King] Sure.
[Michael] You could have a situation where two members of The Shield are eliminated.
You could have a three-on-one, no-holds-barred situation
for Evolution versus The Shield,
or vice versa.
[King] Yeah. Let's go back and look at, uh, what went on earlier.
-This was in the first part of the… -[Michael] Oh!
[King] …what we didn't know then was an elimination tag match.
[Michael] That was the second RKO from Randy Orton to Cody Rhodes.
[bell dinging]
[King] Then we were informed that… Oh.
…the match wasn't over. It was then a handicap match.
And there you see the end,
delivered with a Batista Bomb by "The Animal."
[Michael] Evolution laying waste to the Rhodes Brothers tonight.
Will this be the fate of The Shield
come Sunday at the Payback pay-per-view in Chicago?
No-holds-barred elimination match.
♪ Nothin' ever stays the same… ♪
[music fades out]
Batista and Orton were all business that night.
It's safe to say the message was delivered.
And though it would turn out to be "The Animal"'s final match
on Monday Night Raw,
his legacy as one of WWE's most intense and powerful performers
will be remembered forever.
Thank you for joining us for a look back at Dave Batista's Raw Classics.
I'm Big E.
See y'all next time.
-[Batista's theme music playing] -[Big E grunting softly]
[music continues]
♪ I walk alone ♪
♪ I walk for miles Inside this pit of danger ♪
♪ A place where no one follows me ♪
♪ I walk alone ♪