Former WWE Champion Batista explains why he will never have another match

Batista looked back on the final match of his professional wrestling career and why this was truly the last time the beast was unleashed.

Returning for one final bout at WrestleMania 35, the former world champion faced the man he had worked with for much of his career, Triple H. Unlike their encounter at WrestleMania 21, The Game was able to defeat The Animal and the Hollywood star announced his retirement later that night.

Currently a very successful actor in Hollywood with outstanding roles in Guardians of the Galaxy And BladeRunner2049, the WWE legend has not appeared on weekly shows since then. With Batista still in top form and other wrestlers making comebacks in Hollywood, such as John Cena and The Rock, The Animal could probably still step into the ring if given the opportunity. However, for those hoping for a comeback, the Hollywood star has confirmed that it won’t happen.

“I will never tarnish that”: Batista

In conversation with Chris Van Vliet to promote his upcoming film The murderer’s game, The former world champion explained that he knew that 2019 was the time to end his career:

“I have [know] I just didn’t tell anyone. I didn’t want it to be a big deal. I didn’t want to go on tour and give a speech. I wanted to have my opponent and call it a career. So I wanted to quit on my own terms. [My last match] was great, I was really proud of it.

That’s how I wanted to quit. This is like a dream to me. That’s why it’s so perfect, it’s so romantic. Wrestlers don’t get to choose how they quit. I do. I left on my own terms, the way I wanted to, with the guy I wanted to date. I’m never going to tarnish that. It’s not that I don’t miss it. I miss the crowd. I miss the energy of the crowd. I dream of going out there and hearing my entrance music. But I know if I do that, I’m just going to tarnish my fairytale ending, and I’m just not ready to do that.”

When asked by his co-star Sofia Boutella if he was ever tempted to go back, Batista admitted that nothing could compare to the mood in the crowd, but he knew his time had passed:

“It’s always a temptation because I miss it and every time I listen to my music I want that feeling again. It’s like a drug. It’s pure adrenaline, I won’t get that anywhere else. I just have to accept that my time is over.”

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