Source: f4wonline.com

According to Pro Wrestling Sheet, former WWE star and popular actor Dave Bautista is talking to both WWE and AEW about a return to wrestling.

Dave Meltzer confirmed the accuracy of the story.

PWS reported that Bautista and WWE are talking about a return at this year's WrestleMania but according to their sources, he is "50-50" about a comeback there based on how the negotiations are going. AEW has also shown interest in bringing in Bautista, and he is listening to what they have to say.

The 50-year-old left the company in 2014 to pursue acting, landing notable roles in Spectre, the Guardians of The Galaxy movies and the Blade Runner sequel. He was last seen on WWE TV during the SmackDown 1000 show last October teasing a match with Triple H, something that has been rumored for several years.

His last in-ring action was when he teamed with HHH and Randy Orton against The Shield at Payback in 2014.

If WWE are half smart, they’ll bring Batista in and blow off that Triple H comment from the Evolution reunion.

However, AEW have a huge chance to grab one last run out of Batista as he is 50 years old and AEW need to be careful not to make the WCW mistake of building their show around the aged guys. You can get away with Jericho because he’s remained relevant worldwide. But Batista will likely want to main event for his entire run if he signed AEW.

But shunning Vince and the WWE now will delay any Hall of Fame induction...

With all due respect, because I've always liked Batista, but I feel like he's the kind of "WWE Guy" AEW said they weren't going after. He's the movie star. He's the part-timer. He's the guy people like Cody got so frustrated with, and the kind of thing that bogged down TNA.

I see the appeal, too, but he's just one of those guys I have trouble thinking of working outside of "The Universe"... which surprises me AEW would be humoring talks. I think they'd gain so much more, they'd prove their point and who they are, by telling somebody like a Batista, "No thanks, we just don't think it's a good fit."

Bob-O wrote: ↑Feb 11th, '19, 18:12 With all due respect, because I've always liked Batista, but I feel like he's the kind of "WWE Guy" AEW said they weren't going after. He's the movie star. He's the part-timer. He's the guy people like Cody got so frustrated with, and the kind of thing that bogged down TNA.

I see the appeal, too, but he's just one of those guys I have trouble thinking of working outside of "The Universe"... which surprises me AEW would be humoring talks. I think they'd gain so much more, they'd prove their point and who they are, by telling somebody like a Batista, "No thanks, we just don't think it's a good fit."

I get where you're coming from, but the more I think about it, the more I really like the idea of one Omega vs. Batista match. I usually liked Batista's stuff, and after seeing NJPW Jericho, I'm really curious to see what a "chains off" Batista would be like.

Bob-O wrote: ↑Feb 11th, '19, 18:12 With all due respect, because I've always liked Batista, but I feel like he's the kind of "WWE Guy" AEW said they weren't going after. He's the movie star. He's the part-timer. He's the guy people like Cody got so frustrated with, and the kind of thing that bogged down TNA.

I see the appeal, too, but he's just one of those guys I have trouble thinking of working outside of "The Universe"... which surprises me AEW would be humoring talks. I think they'd gain so much more, they'd prove their point and who they are, by telling somebody like a Batista, "No thanks, we just don't think it's a good fit."

It's not like he really made a difference as far as Rhodes was concerned back then.

KILLdozer wrote: ↑Feb 11th, '19, 19:01

Bob-O wrote: ↑Feb 11th, '19, 18:12 With all due respect, because I've always liked Batista, but I feel like he's the kind of "WWE Guy" AEW said they weren't going after. He's the movie star. He's the part-timer. He's the guy people like Cody got so frustrated with, and the kind of thing that bogged down TNA.

I see the appeal, too, but he's just one of those guys I have trouble thinking of working outside of "The Universe"... which surprises me AEW would be humoring talks. I think they'd gain so much more, they'd prove their point and who they are, by telling somebody like a Batista, "No thanks, we just don't think it's a good fit."

It's not like he really made a difference as far as Rhodes was concerned back then.

I'm not saying it's personal, the point I'm trying to make is that AEW's goal is to be an alternative to the WWE Machine. They said there were only a handful of WWE guys they were interested in, so it just seems odd to me that they'd be talking to Batista as he's never done anything outside of WWE, and in essence is one of the reasons people are looking for this alternative. Guys that USED to be over coming back and taking the paydays of the guys going hard 365.

I just feel like instead of having another got-dang party announcing they landed 50 year old Hollywood supporting actor Dave Bautista, they could make a bigger statement by saying "Meh. Pass."

Big Red Machine wrote: ↑Feb 11th, '19, 18:29 I really like the idea of one Omega vs. Batista match. I usually liked Batista's stuff, and after seeing NJPW Jericho, I'm really curious to see what a "chains off" Batista would be like.

Fair enough. I just remember how pissed he was the last time when the crowd was hot for DB instead of him. I get the feeling that he wants his last run to be a babyface run, and I don't think AEW is the place for him to do that. For AEW's sake, it'd be nice for them to have somebody on that level to be opposite Omega besides Jericho while they build things up, I just can't get over it being an awkward fit.