Batista Interview

[strummer 0]

Batista's bombshells

 

By THE LILSBOYS

 

HE'S wrestling's man of the moment - and this week we tracked down Batista for an exclusive interview.

 

The 36-year-old monster is in the middle of a heated storyline with Triple H, that many predict will see him leave this year's WrestleMania as world heavyweight champion.

 

The two are currently partners in Evolution, but as Batista says in our chat the WWE's fans and even his fellow wrestlers are desperate to see him hit the Batista Bomb on his mentor.

 

And the Raw star hinted that's exactly what may happen in the coming months.

 

Batista also revealed why watching Smackdown makes him sick, how he doesn't want to see his friend Goldberg back in the WWE and that he rates Triple H as the greatest wrestler of all time.

 

The former tag team champion says he loves performing in front of the British fans, and can't wait to do so again when Raw and Smackdown come to the Birmingham NEC Arena on Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 April.

 

Tickets, which are priced between £10-60, can be bought online from www.bookingsdirect.com or by calling 0870 735 5000.

 

Every single wrestling fan is waiting for you to turn on Triple H - can you sense that anticipation?

 

Definitely, especially during the last few weeks.

 

Triple H is just such a smart character that everyone is crying out for someone to put him in his place.

 

And it's not just the fans, even the guys backstage have really bought into this storyline.

 

At heart we're all just wrestling fans and when we see something good we want to watch it and find out what happens next.

 

The last few weeks must have been amazing for you - how are you feeling entering the main event mix?

 

Oh man, it feels great. It's incredible the way people are responding. Our attendance and viewing figures are picking up thanks to this storyline.

 

It comes to down to a rivalry between two guys about who's the best, there's no cheesy sideline there.

 

We have great chemistry and, even though in the storyline I may be turning on him, I'm still learning tons from Triple H.

 

We do have to follow certain storylines and scripts on the show, but we also ad lib a lot.

 

It's more natural that way and the crowd respond to it much better.

 

I don't like sticking to a script and speaking words that a writer may have written that don't sound like they would necessarily come from you.

 

Are you looking forward to the Royal Rumble later this month?

 

Very much. The Royal Rumble has always been one of my favourite matches.

 

Last year I didn't get a chance to participate as me and Ric were tag team champions and we had to defend those titles.

 

So I'm really looking forward to being in the Rumble this year - if I qualify that is.

 

Conditioning is a big question if I come into the match early, as I definitely didn't grow up as an endurance athlete.

 

Hopefully I'll get a lucky draw and won't come out too early in the match, but if I do I'm going to have to suck it up and go with it.

 

If I'm in the Rumble, then I want to win the Rumble!

 

So does that mean you'd like to face Triple H at WrestleMania 21?

 

Man, you're really putting me on the spot here.

 

Let's just put it like this - I would hope to go against the best.

 

I'm at the point where I want to be the man.

 

 

POWER TRIP ... Will Hunter be Batista's

opponent at WrestleMania 21?

 

What was it like being in the ring with Mick Foley, The Rock and Ric Flair at last year's WrestleMania?

 

It was incredible, I can't even describe the feeling I had at WrestleMania XX. It really was a special once-in-a-lifetime moment.

 

But that match was about Randy Orton and Mick Foley, rather than me, The Rock or Ric Flair.

 

This year I want to go into WrestleMania for a one-on-one marquee match, where I'm the focal point. That's what I need in my career right now.

 

The Elimination Chamber match at New Year's Revolution was your biggest bout to date. Can you talk us through your role in it?

 

I had the easy part of coming in last, so I was a spectator for most of the match. The other five guys put on a hell of a bout and it was really gruelling for them.

 

Then I came out, cleaned house and didn't take much punishment. I also had the Puerto Rican fans behind me, so that was easy for me too.

 

It's very frustrating being locked in the chamber though - as you're just dying to get into the match.

 

When it was my turn to join in I wanted to get out there so badly I started to open the door and put so much pressure on the chain the referee couldn't actually get it off to let me out.

 

Believe me - that was not staged!

 

Who do you think is winning in the rivalry between Raw and Smackdown?

 

I don't consider it a rivalry at all. We're a better show, period. There's no comparison.

 

I feel for Smackdown, I just don't know what's going on over there.

 

I try to watch the shows but, for me, they're hard to sit through. And that really makes me sick as it should be a top show.

 

I've watched their tapings live and it seems like a lot of the guys couldn't care less. There's a lack of passion and pride.

 

They need the stress of a live show on them, like we have. A lot of them think: "Oh, it's taped. If I mess up, we'll just redo it."

 

They're more worried about where they're going after the show, which also makes me sick because it means they're not there to work.

 

 

GOLDEN MEMORIES ... Evolution at their peak

 

Many people are surprised when they hear you are 36 - why did you enter the WWE so late?

 

I was always a fan but I never had any intention of becoming a professional wrestler. I just fell into it.

 

My original dream was to be a bodybuilder - as you can probably tell by looking at me!

 

That was what I wanted to do for years and years, so all I did was lift weights all day and work as a bouncer in the evenings.

 

When I was training in Minneapolis I met some wrestlers - including Brock Lesnar, who I trained with before either of us got into the business - and decided to try out for WCW.

 

That didn't go too well, so I called the WWE and got lucky break after lucky break. I've been so fortunate that everything has gone my way.

 

My first trainer was Afa "The Wild Samoan" Anoa'i - although I spent more time with Afa in his office talking about the business than I did in the ring.

 

Afa knew that I wouldn't learn a lot of wrestling down there - although he taught me the basics - but he really wanted to see me do well.

 

Afa picked up that I was a nice person, and he was afraid that the business was going to eat me alive, so he schooled me on that side of things.

 

You came into the WWE as the Deacon for 'Reverend' D-Von Dudley - what did you think of that character?

 

You had to bring that up! I get constantly ribbed about it and every once in a while fans will even show up with Deacon stuff that they want to get signed.

 

That was the lowest point in my career. It was heartbreaking for me as I was a major player in OVW - our development territory - as Leviathan and then when I got to the WWE they chopped my legs off at the knees. They put me in a suit and made me carry around that stupid box.

 

I was happy that I had my foot in a door and working for the WWE was a dream come true.

 

But after that fiasco it was hard to repackage myself and pick up steam to get to where I am now.

 

You're quite similar in look to Brock Lesnar and Bill Goldberg. Do you think them leaving the WWE helped you?

 

I really don't know how things would be for me if they were still here.

 

I always got a lot more comparisons to Brock than I did to Goldberg, but I'd like to think I'd still be on the up now if they hadn't left.

 

One day I'd love to see Brock come back, as he's a very good wrestler who left way before his time and there's a lot of money to be made with him.

 

Goldberg, I don't know. It seemed like a lot of times we were bouncing around making him look good.

 

I don't think Goldberg ever really had a grasp of wrestling or got it.

 

Goldberg is a friend of mine and I like him a lot personally, but he just didn't have that love or passion for the business. He was a paycheck player.

 

I hated seeing him go, but at the same time it was hard seeing a guy like that with so much potential throwing everything away when guys like us are really struggling and clawing our way to the top.

 

What's it like working with Triple H and Ric Flair every day - how much have they taught you?

 

Well if you can't learn about the business being on the road with those two - who will just sit and dissect wrestling matches and crowds - then you must be dumb.

 

You learn the physical aspect of wrestling and how to react to crowds when you're in the ring, but I've have definitely learnt more in the car with them.

 

Talking about your match afterwards and laying out all the different scenarios - what could have happened, what should have happened, what worked and what didn't - is when you really pick things up.

 

How special was it winning the tag team gold with Ric Flair and seeing Evolution with all the belts at the Armageddon PPV in 2003?

 

That was one incredible night and I'll never forget Armageddon. It's definitely been the highlight of my career so far.

 

Standing up at the top of the ramp with those guys holding gold was great, but the greatest thing about that night was being the tag team champion partner of Ric Flair.

 

It was definitely a dream come true for me, it just felt surreal.

 

 

RAW ... hits Birmingham in April

 

Are you looking forward to taping Raw again in the UK - what did you think of the last show in Manchester?

 

The British fans were just incredible then and I can't wait to come back in April.

 

The American fans are a little spoiled and take us for granted, so it's a good feeling to come over here and work in front of such appreciative crowds who are so into the show.

 

You don't have to tell the Brits to get up and cheer!

 

We really feed off the crowd, that's why we're out there and that's what keeps us going. The louder the fans are the harder we want to work and the better the show we want to give them.

 

Who were your favourite wrestlers growing up?

 

I was always a Ricky Steamboat fan and when I was a kid The Warlord was my favourite, although people look at me funny when I say that now.

 

There were lots of big freaks in wrestling and The Warlord was the biggest - that's why I liked him the best.

 

I was also a massive fan of The Four Horseman, I don't know any wrestler anywhere in the world who wasn't.

 

Finally, if you had to pick one person as the greatest wrestler in history - who would you choose?

 

I love and respect Ric Flair, but I'm going to have to say Triple H. He has the total package and is the best there has ever been.

 

Most performers have a weak link, but I don't think Triple H has one.

 

He's technically as sound as can be and he's incredible on the microphone. He's rugged, looks good and his psychologically is incredible.

 

I haven't told Triple H this though - we're friends and it would be awkward.

 

He'd tell me to shut up and ask what I was on!

 

 

[Guest Archibald Mutombo]

I've watched their tapings live and it seems like a lot of the guys couldn't care less. There's a lack of passion and pride.

 

I agree with Batista

[Shanghai Kid 0]

Batista sounds pretty knowledegeable about the buisness, so does it hurt the smarks pride when he says HHH is the best? Or are we just going to say he's sucking up in order to keep his posistion.

[Eclipse 0]

Interesting interview there. A mix of kayfabe and real answers.

 

I agree with Batista. There is a noticeable lack of passion there. But, in my opinion, SD has been picking up. I am enjoying the Angle/Show/JBL feud, and I liked the little twist they did last night, with Angle and JBL planning the WHOLE thing along, just to bait the Big Show. I was expecting a cliche all out war, but that took me by surprise....

[Guest Trivia247]

You can hate HHH's tactics in remaining in the top spot

 

But you can't deny he does have superior Mic skills, Ring ability a vast knowledge of Wrestling history, and know how to work the crowd in either direction.

 

thats where Batista was going with his assement.

[brighty 0]

You can hate HHH's tactics in remaining in the top spot

 

But you can't deny he does have superior Mic skills, Ring ability a vast knowledge of Wrestling history, and know how to work the crowd in either direction.

 

thats where Batista was going with his assement.

are you saying he's number 1 in all those categories?

[Dandy 0]

You don't have to be number 1 in every category to be number 1 overall.

 

I'm not agreeing that HHH is number 1 overall, just pointing that out.

[Guest Trivia247]

Im just saying you can hate HHH for his bullshit and his manipulations in the back, but still acknowledge he has the tools in the ring.

 

If Hulk Hogan is the Babe Ruth in his elder years of wrestling

 

then HHH is Ty Cobb.

 

HHH is not a better worker than a jericho or a benoit or any other Smark darling favorite, but he is better than most hosses and holds his own with those who are better than him in that aspect..

[Guest Fook_Theta]

Terrible interview to try to read. Try to clean that up next time if you wouldn't mind. Breaking every sentence up and not labeling who is speaking makes it hard to follow.

 

Almost zero kayfabe doesn't make for a smart Dave.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

But Cobb was the best. He just didn't hit home runs.

 

That's besides the point though.

 

However...if I were to make the Ruth = Hogan, Cobb = ??? equation I would pick like...Lou Thesz or someone.

 

Someone who worked long enough ago to where modern fans never saw him...but if you asked the people who saw them both...they'd pick Thesz as best. Like Cobb being elected to the HoF with more votes than anyone in the first class...including Ruth.

 

Wow this went off topic.

[The Ghost of bps21 0]

Oh...and HHH is totally Tony Perez.

 

Good player. Hall of fame numbers...but always overshadowed by the Joe Morgans and Pete Roses (Rock and Austin) that were playing at the time.

 

You wonder if Perez would have been put up those numbers in another lineup.

[Twisted Intestine 0]

I think HHH is one of the best of all time. He's just been shoved down our throats so much as of late, that you start to get tired of it.

 

He is good, not great, but good in almost every aspect, where as the other "greats" like flair, lack in some aspects.

 

If it wasn't for his over exposure I think that everyone would think more highly of him... His over exposure doesn't really bother me though, as I think he deserves to be on the top of RAW.. No one else on the roster are as well rounded as him.

 

You could argue that Jericho is, but I think his size makes HHH alot more appealing to the fans.

[SuperJerk 0]

It comes to down to a rivalry between two guys about who's the best, there's no cheesy sideline there.

 

Did Dave say this, or the interviewer?

 

Its a great observation either way.

[DMann2003 0]

This is a bit off topic, but considering it's a Batista thread I'd make mention

 

Anyone see similarities between Batista's push and Monty Brown's in TNA

 

"The Beast" vs "The Alpha Male"- hmmm, we have so few dream match-ups these days, this is probably one of them

[Dandy 0]

I have no desire to see that match.

 

Dream match for me would be Batista vs. Lesnar. It's been done before, but not in WWE, and not with Batista's current position.

[alfdogg 0]

But you can't deny he does have superior Mic skills

The hell I can't.

 

And Batista is 36??

 

EDIT: Well yeah, I guess that was touched on.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

know how to work the crowd in either direction.

No, he's never been a successful babyface unless he's hanging around people who are successful babyfaces.

[Guest Hass of Pain]

Is anyone else morbidly curious to see what happens when Batista gets around the Smackdown wrestlers tommorow at the Royal Rumble? I like Batista, but I think that he was a little bit out of line more or less saying that nobody on Smackdown is even trying and saying the entire roster lacks heart.

 

I'm personally hoping that The Undertaker pulls his tough guy, head of BOTH locker rooms act, steps up to Batista and big Dave puts the old fossil out of his misery. I think if there is one guy on either roster that tough guys like Bob Holly aren't going to step to, it's Batista.

 

Should be interesting. Am I overreacting or does anyone else think something might go down?

[Guest Loss]

Nothing will go down. No one is dumb enough to pick a fight with the company's current pet project.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Bob Holly was dumb enough to dick around w/ Brock Lesnar.