- Batista suggested a return to the ring in the near future could be possible
- 52-year-old says his ‘schedule is open’ during SAG-AFTRA strike in Hollywood
- The WWE legend retired for the third time in 2019 to pursue his acting career.
Batista has suggested he could return to WWE after saying his “schedule is open” during the American Actors Union strike in Hollywood.
The 52-year-old retired from the ring for the third time in 2019 following a No Holds Barred match against Triple H at Wrestlemania 35.
He hasn’t fought since, but the six-time world champion has hinted a return could be on the cards.
He told ET Canada: “I had retired, yes. I had my retirement match against my mentor, my buddy, Triple H – it was perfect.
“But right now my schedule is open and if they (WWE) call me and have something in mind, a segment, a moment… sure, we could do something.”
Batista has hinted that he could return to WWE for a fourth stint in the near future.
The 42-year-old retired recently in 2019 after a loss to Triple H at Wrestlemania 35.
Batista is a six-time world champion and said he may return to the ring because his “schedule is open” due to the SAG-AFTRA strike.
Batista initially retired from WWE in 2010, shortly after dropping the WWE Championship to John Cena.
He claimed he “didn’t like the direction the company was going” after suffering a spinal injury during an “I Quit” match against Cena.
The Washington-born wrestler first returned in 2014, winning a Royal Rumble on RAW.
He was greeted with boos from the crowd after the popular Daniel Bryan failed to appear.
The reaction surprised Batista, saying at the time: “It was weird. This was not a normal response. It was almost like a personal attack. It had to do with factors that were not in my control, factors and things that were happening in the company with other people, things that really had nothing to do with me.
“For me, it was a little frustrating, a little confusing and, you know, I don’t want to say I took it completely personally, but I did a little bit.”
Batista was defeated by Bryan at Wrestlemania XXX, then decided to retire a second time in May 2014 due to creative differences with WWE.
Batista had memorable feuds against John Cena, Randy Orton and The Undertaker
He has featured in a number of box office hits as an actor, including Guardians of the Galaxy (above), Dune and Specter.
However, he returned again in 2018 for one final storyline which saw him face off against his former Evolution teammate Triple H.
Batista was defeated at Wrestlemania 35 and retired again the following day.
After enjoying memorable feuds with Randy Orton and The Undertaker, Dave Bautista turned to acting midway through his wrestling career and went on to appear in box office hits such as Guardians of the World. Galaxy, Dune and the James Bond film Specter. .
Although he has a total of eleven championships to his name throughout his wrestling career, it remains to be seen whether Batista would return to WWE with open arms.
