Batista returning to WWE in 2012?

Batista, the man known to the WWE Universe as “The Animal” and the multiple time world heavyweight champion could be returning to the WWE very soon according to reports and rumours. It is said that with Batista’s Strikeforce deal off due to the MMA promotion being purchased by the UFC, Batista’s MMA future is in question. This means that a return to pro wrestling should not be ruled out of the question and of course, considering he left the WWE on good terms, the door could potentially be open for his return later this year in 2011.

There are several major WWE pay per views coming up in the coming months including Summerslam and Survivor Series. Summerslam is known for its returns as it has seen the likes of Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker return on several occasions. Given the fact that it is a big pay per view, not to mention one that is full of historic moments, this would be a logical time for “The Animal” Batista to make his WWE return.

It has to be said that Batista’s return really could not come at a better time. The WWE is currently plagued with a youth-filled roster whether for better or worse. There are hardly any veteran talents left on the roster since the retirement of Shawn Michaels and Edge as well as the recent retirement of The Undertaker from regular, active in-ring competition. This means that there is a huge veteran-shaped void in the WWE that only those with experience, star power and plenty of years in the ring under their belt can fill.

This is where Batista comes in.

He left the WWE at a high point in his career as a dominant heel. He has enjoyed several years of success as a babyface but also as a heel and he had feuded with some of the biggest and best names in the WWE including Triple H and The Undertaker, both over the world title on several occasions. Batista was known for being a mainstay on the Smackdown brand where he was the world champion but leading up to his contract expiration date, he had become more prominently seen on RAW.

At this time, it is unknown whether Batista will return to the WWE as a part of the Raw brand or the Smackdown brand. Both brands need an influx of major veteran talents to even out the brands that are both currently dominated by young, up and coming stars such as Daniel Bryan and Wade Barrett.

There is actually a lot of potential for Batista if he does decide to return. Triple H, who has also been missing in action since WrestleMania, is a veteran talent that needs a major opponent following his coming return. There are very few that he has more history with than his former Evolution partner and world championship opponent, Batista. This would make a potential feud of the year candidate and Triple H and Batista have both proved that they tear the house down each and every time they set foot in the ring together.

Of course, both brands are full of talent that Batista could feud with or even take under his wing. With The Nexus and The Corre factions both in the WWE, Batista could return to either be a part of these and take them to the next level of fame and success or he could even feud with them and bring them to an end as a major babyface. Smackdown is currently lacking major babyface wrestlers with the exception of Christian and with Batista’s former Evolution partner, Randy Orton, currently dominating WWE Smackdown as a heel and a world champion, it would certainly make sense to have Batista return as a major face and challenge Randy Orton for the world heavyweight championship.

Needless to say, the highly anticipated return of Batista to the WWE is a very exciting subject. With his MMA future in question, “The Animal” could be returning to the WWE sooner rather than later. Exactly what does the future hold for Batista in the WWE in 2011 and beyond and when he finally does return, will he return to RAW to feud with Triple H as a heel or will he return to Smackdown to feud with Randy Orton as a face, or something completely different that will shock the world?