Batista: WWE Had A Very Toxic Atmosphere When I Started

Batista has recalled the 'very toxic atmosphere' that he felt around WWE when he first debuted for the promotion in 2002.

Dave Bautista has enjoyed one of wrestling's biggest success stories over the last 20 years, going from being an underutilised talent on WWE SmackDown, to becoming a World Champion, to breaking Hollywood and one of the industry's top movie stars.

Regarding his start with WWE, which came during an era of reported questionable behaviour and attitudes in the locker room, Batista admits he found it difficult to settle in such a tough environment.

Speaking with Lauren Larson of Men’s Health, he said: "I couldn’t get comfortable, people didn’t like me, I was doing something wrong, the company wasn’t going to do anything with me, they didn’t know what to do with me, they didn’t know where I fit in.

"It was just a very toxic atmosphere. Wrestling is very competitive. It’s very cutthroat. You’re put in a position where you have to posture up all the time, and it’s exhausting. It’s just exhausting."