Batista rounded off his comeback from injury and proved himself every bit The Animal in a Steel Cage Match with WWE champion Randy Orton.
The Animal becomes a five-time world champion with victory over Orton
Batista rounded off his comeback from injury and proved himself every bit The Animal in a Steel Cage Match with WWE champion Randy Orton at Extreme Rules.
Having shamelessly preserved his WWE title reign by getting himself disqualified in their contest at Judgement Day three weeks ago, Orton found himself with no easy escape on Sunday night because the champion could only be determined by pinfall, submission or by climbing out of the cage.
It was the one night of the year for WWE to go Extreme and Batista followed suit, by brutalising his opponent within the 15-foot-high entrapment.
With his loyal disciples locked out of the contest, the Legacy leader found himself in serious trouble, as he repeatedly failed to slither out of The Animal's clutches.
Stunning
After stunning the challenger it had looked like Orton might surmount the steel structure to win, but The Viper instead opted to inflict more damage on his battle-worn foe and go for a punt to the head.
The decision proved pivotal as Batista managed to avoid the boot and Orton then attempted to scale the reinforced walls of steel again.
But as he climbed the cage he left himself in a position susceptible for a climactic Batista Bomb.
There was no kick out forthcoming from The Viper and Batista picked up the one-two-three to ensure he became a five-time world champion.
