'Made former World Champion Batista throw up,' says ex-WCW star DeWayne Bruce

Batista overcame several criticisms to rise as WWE superstar and become six-time Champion.

Batista in action at WWE (Courtesy: wwe.com)
By Samrat Chakraborty | Mar 9, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Six-time World Champion Batista had his fair share of ups and downs before rising as a global superstar at WWE and former WCW star DeWayne Bruce remains a close witness to it. Bruce, best known by his in-ring name Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker, was tasked to train the upcoming wrestlers in the 1990 era. The Animal once, came out for trials at WCW Power Plant, but was not happy with the strict training methods enforced by Bruce. 

Bruce, however, rubbished such claims and believes that he was the one to largely help the career of Batista shape-up. 

“Well, Batista… best thing I did was run him off of the Power Plant because WCW at that time had no farm system, no nothing,” Bruce told Monte & The Pharaoh. 

“Yes, I made him throw up putting his f***ing shirt on… what a big deal. And if he’s still blaming me for that, he’s a p***y. That’s the best thing to ever happen to him. Look where he’s at now,” 

READ MORE: Why six-time World Champion Batista was rejected for WCW tryout

Batista overcame several criticism on his way to fame

Even before turning out to be a six-time World Champion in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Batista overcame his fair share of rejections and critics. One such incident turned out during the WCW tryout held at its Power Plant wrestling school where former trainer Sgt. Buddy Lee Parker, nicknamed Sarge, rejected him for the trials.

He, however, believes that it was the right decision he made at that point for the Animal as he would have been eventually rejected by the WCW management but Batista still holds grudges against him.

Following the rejection, Batista moved to train under WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i at the Wild Samoan Training Center, before signing for the lucrative event in early 2000s.

“You know what, WCW was set-up for training program there. He did come for a tryout, I did run him off but I knew WCW was not going to take him like he was. I thought I did him a great favor going to WWE because I sent him to the Cincinnati – whatever their training ground is. But he still holds it against me. But all things looking at it, it was the best thing to happen for him,” Buddy Lee Parker said in an episode of UnSKripted with Dr. Chris Featherstone.

Batista gained prominence during his time between 2002 to 2010 at the WWE as he also earned the World Heavyweight Championship four times and the WWE Championship twice.