Old school: Batista takes out Evolution and signs contract to face HHH at WrestleMania

[Everlong]

Hard to believe this was nearly ten (EDIT: Nine, I can't math) years ago now. This was the moment that made Batista. Give WWE credit, they executed this storyline brilliantly and they got a lot of mileage out of Batista because of it.

[The Legend]

Unfortunately just about right after this the wheels kind of fell off the wagon and things got lazy.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Naitch's face after Batista does the thumbs down - that would be a great addition to our smilies but doubt can do am afraid.

But yeah, that turning of Batista was done perfectly. A nice, slow turn and had some funny moments prior with Batista teasing HHH.

[xgamr]

and 30 years ago to date, Hulkamania was born

[Hanley!]

It's one of the most recent examples I can remember of WWE coming up with a story, plotting its course, and then executing it precisely. It's the kind of wrestling television I love to see (even though none of the performers involved were favourites of mine) and the kind we get far too little.

The majority of the time, WWE bases their booking around cheap surprise moments manufactured to generate a buzz among the audience. This often works, but they rarely if ever have a plan for where the story is supposed to go and it quickly becomes either extremely bland or extremely messy. Their pay offs are usually terrible. Batista v Triple H was a prime example of how good a properly planned wrestling story can be. The slow build to Batista's face turn was timed excellently. It made him super over, when he had never seemed destined for that kind of spot. They need to take this approach more often.