Entertainment
WWE Champion Bobby Lashley promises Dave Bautista a title shot if he comes out of retirement after reunion
Bobby Lashley has promised Dave Bautista a WWE Championship match if he decides to come out of retirement.
The reigning champ met up with the legendary superstar – who was known to wrestling fans simply as Batista before leaving and kickstarting his acting career – this week, and he couldn’t resist teasing fans.
The All Mighty – who was wearing a face mask – shared a few photos of them both near a restaurant, with big Dave lifting him up at one point in a big hug.
He captioned the snaps: ‘So good seeing my good friend @davebautista. And Yes I will give you a title shot if you ever return!
‘Nevertheless Congrats on all your successes brotha. (sic)’
IMPACT Wrestling star – and former ECW and WWE wrestler – Tommy Dreamer couldn’t resist getting in on the action.
He quipped: ‘Since your feeling generous Can I have one if I return (sic)’
Of course, fans will know Bautista is content in his retirement, with his final match coming as a brutal epic with mentor and friend Triple H at WrestleMania 35.
Appearing at Zack Snyder’s Justice Con last month, he reiterated: ‘It’s hard to convince people that I’m actually retired. You have no idea how tough that discussion is.
‘When professional wrestlers retire, they don’t really retire. They kind of retire. But, you know, when the pay cheque’s big enough or the event’s big enough, they come out of retirement.
‘It’s just not that way with me. I exited the business in such a storybook way, I’d never go back.
‘I would never take away from that. I am just done, man. I really got to finish on my own terms and nothing is going to take away from that.’
Bautista was set to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame last year in recognition of the former world champion’s contributions to the company.
However, the 2020 ceremony was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the class was instead honoured as part of this year’s event.
The 52-year-old star wasn’t featured during WrestleMania week, and he later clarified his induction will instead take place once fans are able to attend and share in the special moment.
He tweeted: ‘To the @WWEUniverse Unfortunately due to previous obligations I am unable to be a part of the @WWE #HOF this year.
‘By my request they have agreed to induct me at a future ceremony where I’ll be able to properly thank the fans and people who made my career possible #DreamChaser.’
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