Batista tried out at the WCW Power Plant but was told he would never make it in the wrestling business by Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker. He then went to the WWF who sent him to train with Afa Anoa'i's school in the Wild Samoan Training Centre.

He made his Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) debut in 2000, joining forces with Synn. During his tenure in OVW, he was known as Leviathan. As a member of the Disciples of Synn stable he went undefeated until being beaten at an OVW supercard, Christmas Chaos by World Wrestling Federation (WWF)'s Kane, with help from Steve Austin. He later went on to win the OVW Heavyweight Championship from 'The Machine' Read more...

He began his WWE career on the May 9, 2002 episode of SmackDown! as Deacon Bautista, a heel enforcer for Reverend D-Von. Batista made his WWE in-ring debut in a tag match teaming with D-Von against Randy Orton and Faarooq with Batista pinning Orton after using his spinebuster. Over several weeks, Orton tried to beat D-Von and Bautista with different partners, but ultimately lost each time. Bautista Read more...