When WWE started announcing the lineup of inductees for their Hall of Fame this year ahead of WrestleMania 39, a few big names made the list, including headliner Rey Mysterio, but due to the very late announcements, it felt like a rushed and incomplete list with one major expected name absent for some reason. With WrestleMania 39 being held in the shadow of Hollywood, it seemed to be the perfect time for Batista to be inducted. Instead, his name was shockingly never called. It turns out that there was a good reason for Batista's absence. It's not that WWE was disrespecting him and ignoring his accomplishments, but rather, he couldn't make it. In an interview with CoolKicks, he was asked if he was at WrestleMania 39. “No. I was in South Africa. I was supposed to go into the Hall of Fame, but I was on this film I was committed to. I couldn’t get out of it.” (h/t Fightful)RELATED: WWE Wrestler Batista's Body Transformation Over The Years, Told In Photos
Batista Was Supposed To Be Inducted Into The 2021 WWE Hall Of Fame As Well
This is not the first time WWE has tried to induct Batista into their Hall of Fame. He was also meant to be part of the 2021 festivities. This happened during the pandemic, so the Hall of Fame was held in the Thunderdome with zero fans in attendance. It also included inductees from 2020 who never got to have a ceremony due to the pandemic just starting. It was a packed induction, headlined by the nWo. One previously scheduled name was missing, however. Batista did not appear, taking to Twitter to say, "To the @WWEUniverse Unfortunately due to previous obligations I am unable to be a part of the @WWE #HOF this year. By my request they have agreed to induct me at a future ceremony where I’ll be able to properly thank the fans and people who made my career possible."
The speculation was that Batista didn't really have any commitment he couldn't get out of, but just simply didn't want to do be inducted when there were no fans. Next year's WrestleMania 40 will take place in Philadelphia. Hopefully WWE and Batista can come to an agreement well in advance and give the six-time world champion his Hall of Fame spot in the city of brotherly love.
