Batista’s Royal Rumble victory in 2005 was the beginning of a lot of changes in the WWE, and marked the occasions when two of it’s upcoming stars made their way to the top. Batista entered the Rumble as a member of Evolution, but left with a championship match at Wrestlemania. After Triple H’s attempts at masterminding his way out of a match with Big Dave failed, the two former stablemates would clash at Wrestlemania 21, and Batista would ascend to the very top of the WWE, an event paralleled by Smackdown’s John Cena. To see Batista’s evolution into one of WWE’s top guys, follow the link.
At the beginning of 2005, Batista was still very much a member of Evolution, along with Triple H & Ric Flair, a group that had dominated WWE throughout the most of 2004. Randy Orton had been kicked out of the group after the Summerslam of 2004 for winning the World Heavyweight Championship that Triple H felt was rightfully his. Batista remained loyal to Triple H, who eventually won the title back from Orton; after which Triple H would then use the group as a means to retain his World Heavyweight Championship. At New Year’s Revolution of 2005, Triple H, Batista & Randy Orton were the final three contestants of an Elimination Chamber match to determine a new World Heavyweight Champion, after the title had been vacated. Orton managed to eliminate Batista, but he remained in the chamber, and helped his mentor Triple H defeat Orton to retain the championsh
The following night on Raw, Batista faced Randy Orton in a match to determine the new #1 contender for Triple H’s title, which Batista lost. Orton earned himself another title shot at the Royal Rumble, whilst Batista was free to enter the Rumble match itself. Triple H suggested that Batista and Ric Flair shouldn’t enter the Royal Rumble match, but instead focus on helping him retain the World title. Raw GM manager Eric Bischoff went on to ban Evolution from ringside, leaving Triple H to face Orton alone, but Hunter managed to defend the championship anyway. Both Batista and Ric Flair then chose to enter the Royal Rumble match later that night. regardless of Triple H’s wishes.
The 2005 Royal Rumble match began with Eddie Guerrero & Chris Benoit as the first two entrants, and together they both survived the majority of the match. Other entrants like Edge, Rey Mysterio & Chris Jericho would also survive a lot of competition, but it wasn’t until the match reached its final few entrants that it really began to shake up.
The United States champion John Cena arrived at #25 to one of the biggest reactions of the night, and made an immediate impact on the match, eliminating Viscera single-handedly and hitting everyone in sight. Gene Snitsky also made his presence felt, and turned Paul London inside out while eliminating him. The #27 entrant Kane would then arrive to assert his dominance with chokeslams-a-plenty.
Batista then began his first Royal Rumble match as the 28th entrant, eliminating Snitsky in a matter of seconds. As Batista then started to slug it out with Kane, it was starting to become apparent how popular he was with the crowd, who cheered Big Dave on as he Batista-Bombed Kane and then continued his roll by eliminating the long standing Chris Jericho from the match. Christian entered the match at #29, and soon after John Cena FU’d Kane over the top rope and out. The luckiest man of the night however was #30, and Batista’s Evolution partner, Ric Flair, and together they started to double team the remaining contestants.
Batista and Flair started to clear the ring of more weary opponents, and a cocky Flair strutted his way about the ring. He tried to double-cross Batista by attempting to eliminate him from behind, but failed. As Flair tried to explain himself, Edge & Rey Mysterio double dropkicked Batista down, and following a Spear, Flair was eliminated by Edge.
It then came down to the final four, Edge, Rey Mysterio, John Cena & Batista. Edge took the early advantage, Spearing both Cena & Batista. Rey would avoid Edge’s Spear and hit a 619 instead, but as he tried to find his balance on the apron Edge would Spear him off it and onto the arena floor, eliminating him from the contest. As Cena & Batista pulled themselves up near the ropes, Edge tried to clothesline them both out at the same time, but was back bodydropped out by Cena & Dave, leaving just two men in the ring.
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