Update on Batista's delayed WWE Hall of Fame induction

One name that is still waiting on his WWE Hall of Fame induction to finally take place is former world champion Batista. 

Batista was announced as an inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2020. However, after the ceremony was postponed a year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 class were inducted together at last year’s WrestleMania in Tampa.

That class included the legendary names of The British Bulldog and the nWo, but Batista announced that he wouldn’t be attending the event. With ‘The Animal’ asking that his induction be postponed until fans were once again in attendance. 

There had been a train of thought that Batista would then be inducted as part of the 2022 class, but so far WWE have announced The Undertaker, Vader and Queen Sharmell and show no sign of the 53-year-old being part of that list.

It is now being reported by PWInsider, that Batista is now expected to take his place in WWE’s Hall of Fame as part of the class of 2023 next year. However, he will be present for the ceremony in Dallas to see Undertaker’s induction as well as Glen Jacobs, better known as Kane, who will also be at the event. 

Batista was one the biggest stars of WWE’s ‘Ruthless Agression’ era. Arriving on SmackDown in May 2002 under the name Deacon Batista before being moved to Raw and aligning himself with Ric Flair, Triple H and Randy Orton as part of Evolution. 

After graduating from the iconic stable, by way of a memorable face turn on Triple H, The Animal would defeat The Game at WrestleMania 21 to win the World Heavyweight Championship. He made his last in-ring appearance for WWE at WrestleMania 35, when he was defeated by Triple H and subsequently announced his retirement from professional wrestling. 

The WWE