WWE Announces Batista Will Return for Evolution Reunion on Smackdown 1000 on Oct. 16
Batista will make his return to WWE after four years away and it’s for the Smackdown 1000th episode in his hometown of Washington, DC on October 16th. Batista will join his Evolution stablemates Triple H, Ric Flair and Randy Orton for the festivities even though the group ran roughshod as Raw exclusive talents in 2003-04. The group also had a short-lived reunion where they put over The Shield right before The Shield split up.
Batista was one of Smackdown’s biggest stars after he was moved there post-WrestleMania in 2005 and spent most of the rest of the decade on Smackdown. Randy Orton has been on Smackdown a lot. Triple H was mostly a Raw guy after the brand split, but did spend some time on Smackdown. Flair was not on Smackdown that much in his career.
In the video below, it notes that they will be together as a group on Smackdown for the first time ever.
Here’s more info from WWE.com about it:
The band is back together.
At SmackDown 1000 on Tuesday, Oct. 16, Evolution reunites – Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton and Ric Flair will be in Washington, D.C. for the historic event.
Evolution is comprised of some of the most successful Superstars in history – there are 49 world championship reigns between the four members, who ran roughshod through WWE from 2002 to 2005, then rode again for a vicious rivalry with The Shield in 2014.
What does Evolution have in store as they make their first-ever appearance on the blue brand during this groundbreaking night? Find out during SmackDown’s 1000th episode, Tuesday, Oct. 16, at 8/7 C on USA Network!
Batista was vocal against WWE recently because they hadn’t yet invited him to appear for Smackdown 1000, but apparently, that has changed because WWE officially announced “The Animal’s” return today. Batista has had a lot of success as an actor this decade namely as part of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies with his character Drax. Batista has said that he is open to do a final run with WWE, so perhaps this could lead to that final run he wants.
A group created to ensure the represent the past, present, and future of @WWE … returns on a historic night. #ThenNowForever#EverythingEvolves#EvolveOrPerishhttps://t.co/MXT9gpnEBw
— Triple H (@TripleH) September 28, 2018
TJR Thoughts: I think it’s cool. Why not? I hope that more of the big names from Smackdown’s past like The Undertaker and Edge are there too. Batista being there is a good sign.
On another note, Batista blocked me on Twitter about five years ago because I questioned why a man in his 40s would wear tight jeans in public. I don’t think I deserved to be blocked, but I still think he’s a good guy.
Evolution has a great theme song too. One of the best ever.