Fans are in shock over the stunning body transformation legend of wrestler-turned-actor Dave Bautista, better known as “Batista” during his WWE career.
The 55-year-old Dave Bautista has emerged as one of the top stars in Hollywood over the past decade. “The Animal” has starred in blockbuster films such as the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, the James Bond film “Spectre” and “Dune.”
As a WWE superstar, Bautista was known for his incredible physique, muscle mass and strength. Of course, Bautista’s figure is a key reason why he’s been cast as a tough guy in most of his films.
Bautista appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” last week. A selfie of him backstage has quickly gone viral, with fans noticing that The Animal has shredded a considerable amount of weight:
Batista backstage at Jimmy Fallon pic.twitter.com/yD3xxPol8G
— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) July 19, 2024
Maintaining that much muscle at his age naturally is not healthy for him, still looks solid and healthy
W Batista
— ChrisKingNYC (@Chriskingnyx) July 19, 2024
Is it me or batista is getting small 😭 pic.twitter.com/vpcaSdcuTL
— 4KT WHO YOU HATE (@royal_bobby24) July 19, 2024
Dang he skinny as heck dang.
— Antoine Parrish (@themoe85) July 20, 2024
Bro sacrificed his muscle to be an actor 😫
— Jay D. Cartere (@JayCartere) July 19, 2024
Looking a lot smaller now, he is not working out like he was before.
— Turnbuckle Telegram (@Frumpyfauxhawk) July 19, 2024
i hope he’s okay.
— JULI★N (@JUL7VN) July 19, 2024
That is not the animal 😤😤😤 pic.twitter.com/M4URSwP8ny
— Ghostmalone90 (@Pankow90) July 19, 2024
The former world champion recently admitted that he put on more weight for his 2023 film “Knock at the Cabin”, but he has lost around 50 pounds since taking up jiu-jitsu as a regular activity.
Dave Bautista’s Final WWE Match Happened Five Years Ago
Bautista left the WWE due to creative differences in 2010. His return four years later was short-lived, thanks to WWE’s questionable decision to book him as the 2014 Royal Rumble winner over Daniel Bryan.
Bryan was the most popular star in WWE at the time, and the negative reaction behind the decision to book Bautista as the winner forced the company to call an audible. Bryan was thrown into the main event of WrestleMania 30 with Bautista and Randy Orton, which the former won after getting The Animal to tap out.
After a five-year hiatus, Dave Bautista returned to WWE in 2019 for one more feud with old friend and “Evolution” faction mentor Triple H. The two finished their program at WrestleMania 35, which Triple H won. Bautista announced his retirement from in-ring action soon after.
