Batista's 10 Greatest Matches, Ranked

When Batista burst onto the scene, it was clear that he wasn't going to be the next Bret Hart. There were even questions as to how far he'd go in sports entertainment considering he didn't begin training to become a wrestler until he was 30. In the face of what seemed like an uphill climb, Batista went on to become one of the best big men wrestling had ever seen.

While most powerhouses could be one dimensional, Batista showed great versatility in his matches and used enough power moves and physical charisma at the right time to tell amazing stories in the ring. As Batista gets ready to take his place in the WWE Hall of Fame, we've ranked the best matches of The Animal's career.

10 Chris Benoit - Raw

On the first Raw of 2005, Batista was pitted against former World Champion Chris Benoit. Though the match was fairly competitive, this served as Batista's coming out party as The Animal was being groomed for a World Title run of his own.

On this night, Batista shocked fans by not only dominating Benoit, but by surviving The Crippler's best moves. The end came for Benoit when Batista repeatedly dropped Benoit headfirst on an exposed turnbuckle before turning his lights out with a Batista Bomb.

9 Rey Mysterio - Survivor Series 2009

Rey Mysterio was supposed to be Batista's friend. But when their common pursuit of the World Title left Batista empty handed, The Animal violently turned on Mysterio. Still, Batista needed to make a more declarative statement to cement his new heel status.

At SurvivorSeries, Batista would withstand Rey's best offense before cutting through his former friend with a spear and three consecutive Batista Bombs. With Mysterio unable to continue, the referee stopped the match and declared Batista the winner by TKO.

8 Triple H - Vengeance 2005

The feud between former Evolution teammates Batista and Triple H reached its climax as the two waged a bloody way inside of Hell in a Cell. Though the action was contained to the confines of the Cell, everything around the ring was fair game.

Chairs, stairs, and The Game's famous sledgehammer all came into play as Batista withstood every dirty tactic Triple H threw at him. But before his former mentor could make use of the sledgehammer, Batista dropped Triple H in a Batista Bomb to finish their rivalry.

7 Shawn Michaels - One Night Stand 2008

Batista was upset with Shawn Michaels for retiring Ric Flair at WrestleMania that year. He challenged Michaels to a match, which Michaels won after faking an injury. This only furthered Batista's hatred for the Heartbreak Kid. At OneNightStand, The Animal set out to destroy HBK in a brutal Stretcher Match.

Though Michaels held his own, it was only a matter of time before Batista's physicality became too much to handle. The finish came when Batista drilled Michaels with a spinebuster on the steel steps before placing Michaels' limp body on the stretcher and rolling it across the finish line for the win.

6 WrestleMania XXX

Batista was the biggest casualty of the Yes Movement in 2014. After winning the Royal Rumble to the disgust of fans firmly rooting for the underdog Bryan, Batista found himself in a triple threat match for the WWE Title against Bryan and Champion Randy Orton.

Despite returning specifically for the chance to become WWE's Undisputed Champ, Bryan was booked to win the title. Along with Orton, Batista turned in a solid performance that helped make Bryan a star. In fact, it was Batista who tapped out to Bryan to give the Yes Man the win and the title.

5 Royal Rumble 2005

As the 2005 Rumble boiled down to Batista and John Cena, both men accidentally tumbled over the top rope, spoiling what was supposed to be The Animal's victory. Vince McMahon made an appearance to sort things out but ended up tearing both of his quad muscles in the process.

As McMahon and officials talked it over, Batista took action by dumping Cena over the ropes to prove his superiority. Cena returned and did the same, but ultimately the match was restarted. Batista once again dumped Cena over the top rope, this time decisively and officially, to win his first Royal Rumble.

4 The Undertaker - Cyber Sunday 2007

The rivalry between Batista and The Undertaker carried over from WrestleMania and lasted through the fall. Except this time they'd have extra company joining them in the ring as Stone Cold Steve Austin was pegged as the special referee.

Batista came charging out of the gate, but 'Taker moved out of the way before following up with a boot to the face. On this occasion, Batista picked up the biggest win of his career after a second Batista Bomb buried WWE's grim reaper.

3 John Cena - SummerSlam 2008

Batista hits a Batista Bomb on John Cena

WWE's version of Batman v Superman took place here as WWE's two top stars met at the peak of their careers. Not only did both men hit each other with their signature moves, but Batista dug into his bag of tricks by wrapping Cena up in a figure-four leglock.

Late in the match, Cena, unable to put Batista away, leaped off the top rope for a flying leg drop, but Batista countered it into a Batista Bomb. He followed it up with a second Batista Bomb to claim bragging rights over WWE's other resident superhero.

2 The Undertaker - WrestleMania 23

After being told his match with The Undertaker would not main event the show, an angry and motivated Batista went into his World Title match with the Dead Man with something to prove. For Batista, 'Taker represented his toughest challenge as World Champion. For 'Taker, Batista posed the most serious threat to The Streak.

They tore into each other from the star and brought their best offense throughout as The Undertaker soared over the ropes to flatten Batista. Later, The Animal drove The Phenom through the announce table. Though 'Taker went on to score the win, Batista was satisfied with their efforts as he felt they had the best match of the night.

1 Triple H - WrestleMania 21

From the beginning of 2005, WWE pulled out all the stops to make Batista look like a star. And to his credit, Batista hit a home run at every stop along the road to WrestleMania21. Soon, the question became could Batista deliver in the main event on WWE's biggest stage against Triple H.

Though the match was methodical affair, Batista kept pace with The Game to look every bit of his former mentor's equal. In the end, Big Dave bludgeoned and battered Triple H on his way to his first World Title.

NEXT: Every Batista Title Reign, Ranked