Home Batista returns to WWE Raw: What is in store for The Animal?
State/U.S. News

Batista returns to WWE Raw: What is in store for The Animal?

Chris Graham

Batista’s long-awaited return to WWE begins tonight on Monday Night Raw. What will WWE to do capitalize on one of the more anticipated comebacks to WWE in recent years?

A quick look at his Facebook and Twitter pages gives us the indication that he will at least debut as a face, which makes sense. Fans would be cheering his return even if he were for some reason to be brought back as a heel, so you might as well go with the anticipated crowd reaction.

Expect the honeymoon to linger on perhaps through WrestleMania 30. There is a lot of speculation right now about a Batista-Brock Lesnar match at ‘Mania, which could set the stage in terms of storyline for a possible Lesnar departure to head back to UFC.

It’s plausible to think that after WM30 Batista could insert himself into the WWE Title picture. Imagine a summer-long program building up a Batista-John Cena match to main-event SummerSlam, for example. Batista as the monster heel who sent Lesnar packing, Cena as the, well, Cena.

Batista makes you money both ways – as a face and as a heel. It all begins tonight on Raw.

Column by Chris Graham

Support AFP

Multimedia

 

Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to Substack or his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

Latest News

uva basketball paris clark
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Well, Virginia, looks like we have a Sweet 16 team after all

uva basketball floor
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Ranking the best hoops seasons that ended too soon

I’m about to get myself in trouble here, but in terms of the best UVA Basketball seasons that ended too soon, those who have been fans long enough know, there are a lot of them, and we’ve all got feelings about them.

uva basketball huddle
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: First look at roster construction for 2026-2027 season

I’m writing this from a bench in the 30th Street Amtrak station in Philly, so, not only not even home yet, but as I’m putting thoughts to tablet, I just got out of the Uber that drove past the Xfinity Mobile Center, where our 30-win UVA Basketball season ended 15 hours ago.

waynesboro map
Local News, Politics

Waynesboro: Why is the center-left majority allowing the MAGAs to run the city?

interstate 81 rockbridge county VDOT
Local News

Interstate 81 southbound lane closures expected through mid-June

malik thomas sam lewis uva basketball
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

That’s a wrap: Magical UVA Basketball season ends, unfortunately, too soon

ryan odom uva basketball
Basketball, Go 'Hoos

UVA Basketball: Attack more, get to the line less, you’re going to lose