Former WWE Tough Enough winner and three-time Hardcore Champion, Maven, has recently shared his admiration for Batista.
In a video on his YouTube channel, Maven expressed his high regard for Batista, even going as far as saying he would take a bullet for him.
I love this guy. One of my favourite human beings on Earth. Dave Bautista. Another guy who, in my personal life, helped me out at one of my lowest points. I would take a bullet for Dave Bautista. In the leg, in the leg. I would take a bullet.
Maven recounted a story where Batista selflessly visited a new gym that opened in Maven’s hometown.
Let me give you a quick story on who Dave Bautista is. In my hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia, the Gold’s Gym was opening up a new location, and the owner of this gym came up up me and said, ‘Maven, we’d love to maybe get one of our wrestling buddies down for our grand opening.’ I said, ‘Okay, who’s your wish list?’ They said, ‘Dave Bautista.’ I said, ‘Let me ask him.’ I asked Dave, and without hesitation, within a second, he said, ‘Absolutely.’ Dave’s line was out the door and down the driveway for people to meet.
Throughout his WWE career, Maven had the opportunity to work with some of the biggest names in the business. He notably feuded with Evolution, a faction consisting of Triple H, Batista, Ric Flair, and Randy Orton.
What Is Maven Doing Now?
Since Maven’s departure from WWE in 2005 he bounced around the independent circuit and Impact Wrestling, he wrestled his final match for a while in 2007 against Test which he lost.
Since leaving the world of professional wrestling Maven has had numerous jobs, including working as a bouncer in New York. In 2021 he stated on a podcast with Chris Van Vliet, that he now works in finance on Wall Street. Maven also discussed his issues with painkiller addiction on the podcast.
Maven has since made a return to the squared circle, he returned to the independent scene in 2015 and has been somewhat active since, notably having a match in FWF against Matt Cardona in October 2022.
H/t to Fightful.com