Batista as 'Leviathan' in Ohio Valley Wrestling
I didn't really see much in Batista early on. I remember hearing Jim Cornette say back in 2001 (when Batista was still cutting his teeth in Kentucky based Ohio Valley Wrestling) that he was a can't miss future Wrestlemania main eventer. He actually said "Wrestlemania main eventer". That's a lot of stock to put in someone who at that point had had maybe fifty professional matches. But after a shaky start on the main WWE roster (who else remembers Reverend D-Von's whipping boy, Deacon Batista?) and a couple of stints on the injured reserve, Batista joined up with Evolution (I may hate Triple H, but he's the right guy to get the rub from) and started working with better wrestlers on a consistent basis.
Deacon Batista guards the poor box
I think it must have been Wrestlemania 20 when things started clicking for me where Batista is concerned. He's not a great wrestler, by any means. But he only does the things that he can do well, the mark of a smart wrestler. He has an intensity unmatched by any wrestler in WWE today (and not seen in major league wrestling since the initial appearance of Bill Goldberg in WCW) and it makes everything he does seem urgent, like it means something. Add to that the fact that his character is developing layers, and he himself is becoming quite a gifted, nuanced actor (by professional wrestling standards). He's not in the league of a Mick Foley or William Regal, but he more than holds his own in backstage confabs with Ric Flair and Triple H on a weekly basis.
Big Dave triumphant in the Royal Rumble match
The main thing about Batista that will make him an enormous superstar in 2005 is his believability. I think it was on this very blog many months ago that I stated, "Kane plays a monster on TV. Batista IS a monster." After years of big men like Nathan Jones, Matt Morgan, John Heidenreich and the lamentable Gene Snitsky, it's a wonderful change of pace to have a big man like Batista fucking up people's entire week each and every Monday. I declare this, January 31st, to be "Big Dave Day". You earned it, pal. You truly are the man.
Even if I didn't like him, this picture would strike enough fear in me to declare a day for him anyway
4 comments:
Yes indeed, he deserved his day. But Andy, the LAMENTABLE Gene Snitsky? Really? Who thought I'd see the day? And so soon!
I'll post something fresh this afternoon or early morning.
ANDY!!!
You should totally check this out. Get a little culture, or some junk.
Here's the link: http://www.oal.org/MCE.html
Excerpted from the site:
March 1 - 29
Viva El Santo! The Art of Mexican Wrestling
Trent Marx
Curated by Terry Tietz
Opening reception, Saturday, March 5, 6 - 9 pm
Trent Marx uses illustrations and acrylic paint to depict his modern approach to La Luche Libre (the free fighters of Mexico), the country’s third favorite spectator sport: Mexican wrestling. Mexican citizens have idolized these masked men as super heroes for more than half a century, through figurines, comic books and movie roles. Marxπs paintings of well-known 1950's and 60's wrestling icons, including El Santo (The Saint) show his pop-art vision of what appeals to todayπs techno-eye. This exhibit offers viewers a glimpse of another culture through the eye of an American artist. Viva El Santo pays tribute to a timeless sport which, simply defined, depicts good against evil.
954 North High Street.• Wednesday- Saturday Hours: Noon-5 p.m. [kehneth]
I'm so there it isn't even funny. Thanks, Kehn.
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