(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Dave “Batista ” Bautista is currently the name being floated around backstage in WWE to headline the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame class.
Related: Batista Opens Up to Lilian Garcia On Suffering From Social Anxiety and Being Estranged From His Father
He goes on to note that the move would make sense since Batista’s last WrestleMania match would be at WrestleMania 30 which also took place in New Orleans. Batista has obviously broken out in Hollywood over the last few years with the Guardians of The Galaxy films and James Bond. His induction would bring WWE a lot of mainstream attention.
With many of his outspoken comments about the PG WWE product and his botched 2014 run Meltzer speculates that it could lead to some very interesting interviews if he is inducted.
Batista Guardians Galaxy
Batista Guardians Galaxy #1
HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 19: Actor Dave Bautista attends the premiere of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Dolby Theatre on April 19, 2017 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #2
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) David Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, James Gunn, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at the Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by David M Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #3
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: The cast (L-R) Director James Gunn, Pom Klementieff, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell and Chris Pratt on stage at the European launch event of Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." at the Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Ian Gavan/Getty Images for Disney)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #4
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Dave Bautista, Pom Klementieff and Chris Pratt attend the European Gala screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #5
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Dave Bautista attends the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Maher/FilmMagic)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #6
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Kurt Russell, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Joe Maher/FilmMagic)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #7
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) (L-R) Actors David Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russel, Karen Gillan, director James Gunn and actor Michael Rooker attend the UK screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Marsland/Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #8
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #9
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #10
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #11
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt and Kurt Russell attend the European Gala screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #12
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: (L-R) Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt and Kurt Russell attend the European Gala screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #13
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #14
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 24: Dave Bautista, Zoe Saldana, Pom Klementieff, Chris Pratt, Kurt Russell, Karen Gillan, James Gunn and Michael Rooker attend the European Gala Screening of "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" at Eventim Apollo on April 24, 2017 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #15
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Dave Bautista attends The Cinema Society Hosts A Screening Of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2"- Arrivals at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #16
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and Dave Bautista attend a screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew Toth/FilmMagic)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #17
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and Dave Bautista attend a screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #18
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and Dave Bautista attend a screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rabbani and Solimene Photography/Getty Images)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #19
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #20
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #21
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #22
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #23
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Shane McMahon and actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #24
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 03: Actor Dave Bautista attend the screening of Marvel Studios' "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" hosted by The Cinema Society at the Whitby Hotel on May 3, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #25
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Actor Dave Bautista attends Build Series to discuss his new film "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" Build Studio on May 4, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Steve Zak Photography/FilmMagic)
Batista Guardians Galaxy #26
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 04: Dave Bautista appears to promote "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" during the BUILD Series at Build Studio on May 4, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)