People in WWE are comparing Batista to Jim Hellwig a lot now. They say he doesn’t really love wrestling and simply got in because he had a great body and was well-pushed and well-protected. Triple H is a huge supporter of his and views him as a protege. He was obsessed with getting Batista over in 2005, particularly after his Randy Orton angles failed, because he felt it would be a part of his legacy. Triple H is aware that, from the outside, there is a certain doubt as to how he will be remembered. However, Batista has also developed a star attitude. Things he has said in the Smackdown locker room, plus perceived arrogance and aloofness have hurt his popularity with the rest of the guys, although since he is actually quite a shy person much of that may have been unintentional. The fight with Booker T hurt him a great deal more though. He had been scheduled to win the title back at SummerSlam but Vince McMahon changed that plan and at the time said Batista was never getting the title back at all. This was not because of the fight occurring but because Batista lost it and Vince could no longer personally buy into Batista as a huge tough guy for losing to Booker. Michael Hayes and Dusty Rhodes talked Vince around since Smackdown was in such a bad shape over the summer and Batista still had drawing ability, while Booker was mainly comedy. When the plan worked Vince was prepared to even let Batista go over Undertaker at WrestleMania to ‘take him to the next level of stardom’, but Batista has made such a bad impression on people during this latest reign that it is very unlikely to extend past Mania.
Melina was told her WrestleMania match with Ashley is her big chance to determine which way her career will go. It’s accepted that she is the best female personality in the company now but she has tremendous heat with the other women backstage, which is why neither her nor Johnny Nitro are being pushed to the main event.
WWE wants you to forget La Resistance ever reformed on ECW. Rene Dupree has been suspended again and is very close to being fired. Sylvan is back to his Ambassador to Quebec gimmick and is considered a Smackdown guy once again. Rob Conway (that guy!) had been working as an assistant trainer down in OVW, but lately has not.
Credit: Wrestling Observer newsletter (click here for subscription information)
