The Animal Unleashed

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to another round of the Wrestling Spectator. I have a few short topics that I'm going to smash together within one week (or two), so stay continued!

Batista is making a return January 20th, a little less than a week from the Royal Rumble, and this return won't be a short term deal--the rumor mill is speculating that this will be about a two-year deal for the Animal, facing off within main event status.

I mean, being who Dave Batista is, why would he come back unless it wasn't for TV exposure and in the spotlight picture? My question is, as with all the Ruthless Aggression (or any previous era) superstars, will Batista be utilized in the manner in which we are perceiving?

My sources say yes.

Batista is coming back for two reasons; a big payoff, and a proper send off. His last stint with the WWE had him taking his ball and going home like a whiny little b*tch playing second fiddle to John Cena, so more than likely, he's interested in a feel-good way to leave. And Triple H will see to it. Here in lies the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He will be the next guy to be thrown into the pot for the belt, and my estimation is that he will carry it for quite some time. Within the past year, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship has been held by four different champions, and Cena held the title the most for a little over four months. Then Orton, then the Rock. I don't necessarily count the Rock as a legitimate champion because his reign was only transitional in order for Cena to gain his "retribution" taken care of and extend another run.

Triple H will make sure Batista takes the helm, much longer than his meager 35 day WWE Championship run back in 2010. More than likely, Batista will be pushed to the moon when he returns, possibly winning the Royal Rumble and headlining Wrestlemania. Of course, there are a few names passed around WWE corporate who are slated to win the Rumble (no Slater wins, sorry). Brock Lesnar being one. Sheamus being another (as a surprise entrant, I assume). Needless to say, I believe that the Royal Rumble will be an interesting mix of talent, new and old.

What will happen with Batista in the WWE within the next two years? Will Triple H control the powers that be and give Batista something he can proudly hang his boots on? Can "The Animal" defeat Randy Orton and become the new heel? Does he become a tweener and work as the "Anti-Hero"? Or does he allow the beast within to be released and demolish Cena (with or without Orton or the Authority) and the WWE locker room?

Time will tell. I am excited for Batista's return. Hopefully it's a great one.