Dave Bautista had been due to be inducted in 2020 but the ceremony was moved to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to his pulling out.
This led to hopes from fans and even the man himself that the former World Champion might be inducted as part of the class of 2023, but it seems that this won’t be the case.
A new report from PWInsider has noted that he is currently filming a new movie called My Spy in South Africa. The report adds that it’s essentially “physically impossible” for the star to appear in California for the ceremony.
At time of writing, Rey Mysterio, The Great Muta, and Andy Kaufman have officially been confirmed for the class of 2023. It has been reported that Stacey Keibler will be one of two further inductions.
Bautista is better known to WWE audiences simply as Batista. The star debuted on SmackDown in 2002 and went on to feud with the likes of Edge, Triple H, and The Undertaker before deciding to leave the company in 2010. After a four-year break, the star returned at the 2014 Royal Rumble winning the Rumble match in a wave of controversy after fan-favorite Daniel Bryan didn’t appear in the match.
Batista left WWE six months later due to creative differences.
Despite this, he returned to the ring one more time at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 where he lost to Triple H in a match that he stated was his farewell to wrestling.
Will Dave Bautista Wrestle Again?
Speaking during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in February, the star discussed his role as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Batista explained why was leaving the role, describing it as the perfect exit, noting that he did the same in wrestling, seemingly confirming his retirement.