Batista Explains How WWE Reached Out to Him to Team With Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34, Discusses Why Plans Fall Through After WWE Refused to Get Back to Him, Addresses Time Frame Him for Him to Have One Last Run

– During a recent interview with 106.7 The Fan, former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista (Batista) discussed the reports that Batista was originally one of the potential tag team partners with Ronda Rousey for her in-ring debut at WrestleMania 34. Below are some highlights and audio from the show.

Batista on how WWE initially reached out to him for WrestleMania 34: “This is all insider stuff, and I usually don’t share. I’m really an old-school kayfabe guy. But they reached out to me earlier this year to possibly come back and do that thing with Ronda [Rousey]. And I said that I would be willing to do it only if we teased something for me and Hunter to go to Mania next year. And they said, ‘Yeah, that would be great. I love that idea.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s great. I’ll come back a few times during the year, and we’ll tease it, and we’ll work it and we’ll milk it. And we’ll go to Mania, me and Hunter, next year.’ Oh, I love that idea. Let’s do it!”

Batista on how WWE stopped calling him after the initial interest: “So, we literally talked for about like three weeks and then they just stopped calling me. I sent a text to Hunter. I was like, ‘Hey man, I don’t know if you put any more thought into what’s going on. I’m really excited about the possibilities.’ And I literally never heard back from them. They just stopped talking to me about it. Man, I don’t know what else I can do to try to … I want to end my career the right way. I’m faithful and loyal to the WWE. I’m proud of being from there and I want to do good business with them, but they just don’t make it easy. You know, they just don’t.”

Batista on how next year would be his last year to have another run since he’s almost 50: “I told them next year would be my last year. I’m turning 50 next year. I’d be willing to … I feel great. Physically, I’m in great shape. I’ve never let up on that. But I just don’t want to be the old guy in the ring and I don’t want to overstay my welcome. I just want to end my career the right way and next year will be the last opportunity, so if we can’t make something happen by next year, then I’m just gonna officially hang it up.”

Batista on why would want to go back for another run: “I’m doing okay for myself, so I don’t need to be there. I just, I love it there. Even thought the fans totally crapped on me the last time I was there, I would still go back in a heartbeat and love to entertain them, and I would have fun doing it, man. I’d be happy to be there. But, I just don’t get it, man. I don’t get that company. I just don’t understand.”