Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dave Bautista

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Dave Bautista made an impact.

Dave Bautista, born David Michael Bautista Jr., is an American actor and retired professional wrestler. He achieved significant recognition during his time with WWE from 2002 to 2019, establishing himself as one of the most successful professional wrestlers of his era. Following his wrestling career, Bautista transitioned to acting, appearing in numerous films.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

October 30, 1999: Debut Match

On October 30, 1999, Batista wrestled his debut match under the ring name Khan, three months before his 31st birthday.

1999: Wrestling Career Start

In 1999, Bautista officially started his wrestling career.

2000: WWE Signing

In 2000, Bautista signed with WWE (then WWF).

May 9, 2002: WWE Televised Debut

On May 9, 2002, Batista made his televised WWE debut on SmackDown! as Deacon Batista, an enforcer for Reverend D-Von.

2002: Rise to Fame as Batista

From 2002, Bautista gained fame under the ring name Batista, beginning as a member of Evolution.

2002: WWE Debut

In 2002, Dave Bautista debuted in WWE, beginning his rise to fame as a professional wrestler.

January 2003: Evolution Formation

In January 2003, Batista joined Triple H, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton to form the heel stable Evolution.

February 16, 2004: World Tag Team Championship Loss

On February 16, 2004, Batista and Ric Flair lost the World Tag Team Championship to Booker T and Rob Van Dam on Raw.

2004: Relationship with Triple H Deteriorates

In late 2004, the relationship between Batista and Triple H began to deteriorate in kayfabe, leading to Batista behaving more like a face.

2005: Heel Turn

In 2005, Batista turned heel for the first time since then, initiating an attack on Rey Mysterio after a tag team match and expressing frustration with being undermined.

2005: SmackDown! Draft and Feud with JBL

In 2005, Batista was drafted to SmackDown! and began a feud with John "Bradshaw" Layfield (JBL), culminating in a Texas Bull Rope match on September 9 where Batista retained his championship. Also in November, he suffered a muscle tear in his back.

2005: Royal Rumble Win and Evolution Split

In 2005, Batista won the Royal Rumble, leading to a split from Evolution after he chose to face Triple H at WrestleMania 21. On February 14th, a plot was made by Triple H to have Batista run over in a limousine.

2006: Championship Pursuits and Feuds

In 2006, Batista pursued the ECW World Championship and later the World Heavyweight Championship, eventually defeating King Booker at Survivor Series on November 26 to regain the title. He also had a real fistfight with Booker T during a commercial shoot for SummerSlam.

2007: Feud with The Undertaker

In 2007, Batista feuded with Mr. Kennedy and then The Undertaker, losing the World Heavyweight Championship to The Undertaker at WrestleMania 23 on April 1. He was unsuccessful in regaining the title afterward.

2008: Draft to Raw and World Heavyweight Championship Win

In 2008, Batista was drafted to Raw, feuded with John Cena, won the World Tag Team Championship with Cena, and defeated Chris Jericho at Cyber Sunday on October 26 for his fourth World Heavyweight Championship, only to lose it back to Jericho shortly after.

June 2009: Neighbours Cameo

In June 2009, Batista made a cameo appearance as himself on the Australian soap opera Neighbours.

October 20, 2009: First biographical DVD release

On October 20, 2009, Bautista's first biographical DVD, Batista: I Walk Alone, was released through WWE Productions.

January 2010: Royal Rumble Elimination

In January 2010, at the Royal Rumble, Batista entered at number 30 but was eliminated by John Cena, failing to win the match.

June 16, 2010: Attended Strikeforce Event

On June 16, 2010, Batista attended Strikeforce: Los Angeles, indicating his interest in competing in MMA.

2010: End of WWE Tenure

By 2010, Batista had achieved considerable fame in WWE, winning multiple championships.

2010: Television and Film Appearances

In 2010, Batista appeared in an episode of Chuck, made a cameo in Relative Strangers, and starred in the action film Wrong Side of Town.

2010: Departure from WWE

In 2010, Batista departed from WWE.

2010: Fundraising for Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance

In 2010, Bautista held a campaign to raise money for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance due to his ex-wife Angie's battle with ovarian cancer.

April 2011: MMA Negotiations Fall Through

In April 2011, Batista's negotiations with Strikeforce fell through after the organization was bought by Zuffa company, stalling his MMA career plans.

October 1, 2012: Opponent Change for MMA Debut

On October 1, 2012, Rashid Evans was forced out of the bout against Batista after a probation violation, and Vince Lucero replaced him for Batista's MMA debut.

October 6, 2012: MMA Debut Win

On October 6, 2012, Batista made his MMA debut against Vince Lucero at CES MMA: Real Pain and won by TKO in the first round.

January 20, 2014: WWE Return and Negative Fan Reaction

On January 20, 2014, Batista returned to WWE on Raw, but despite winning the Royal Rumble as a face, he received negative reactions due to Daniel Bryan's absence in the match, leading to storyline changes and an eventual heel turn.

June 2014: Second DVD released, detailing WWE departure and return

In June 2014, WWE released a second DVD, WWE Batista: The Animal Unleashed, continuing Batista's life story, detailing his 2010 departure from WWE and his 2014 return.

2014: Guardians of the Galaxy Release

In 2014, Batista played Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy, a critical and commercial success.

2014: Quitting WWE

In 2014, Batista quit WWE after Bret Hart, the Raw General Manager, booked him to face an injured Randy Orton. Batista cited dissatisfaction with the company's direction as the reason for his departure.

2014: Second Royal Rumble Win

In 2014, Batista won his second Royal Rumble match and subsequently headlined WrestleMania XXX.

2014: Negative Fan Reaction to WWE Return

In 2014, upon returning to WWE, Batista was heavily booed by the crowd after winning the Royal Rumble, leading to storyline changes and a villainous character turn.

2015: Spectre Role

In 2015, Batista played Mr. Hinx in the James Bond film Spectre.

2017: "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Blade Runner 2049" Release

In 2017, Batista starred in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Blade Runner 2049".

2017: Blade Runner 2049 Praised Role and Guardians Vol. 2

In 2017, Batista was praised for his supporting role in Blade Runner 2049 and reprised his role as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

October 16, 2018: Evolution Reunion and Tease of Triple H Match

On October 16, 2018, Batista reunited with Evolution on SmackDown's 1000th episode, teasing a future match with Triple H due to Triple H never defeating Batista in singles competition.

2018: Avengers: Infinity War

In 2018, Batista reprised his role as Drax in Avengers: Infinity War.

2018: Multiple Film Releases

In 2018, Batista starred in "Avengers: Infinity War", "Final Score", and "Master Z: Ip Man Legacy".

2018: Support for James Gunn

In 2018, Batista supported James Gunn after Gunn's firing over old tweets and threatened to ask to be recast if Gunn's script wasn't used for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

February 25, 2019: Attack on Ric Flair and Demand to Triple H

On February 25, 2019, Batista attacked Ric Flair and demanded "give me what I want" to Triple H, beginning a storyline that led to a match at WrestleMania 35.