Batista Winner Pose

World Heavyweight Championship pursuits and reigns (2005–2008)
Batista in September 2005 as the World Heavyweight Champion.


Batista won the World Heavyweight Championship on 3 April in the main event of WrestleMania 21.WrestleMania 21 received 1.09 million pay-per-view buys worldwide - the then-highest ever number of buys for any non-boxing pay-per-view. Batista's match with Triple H was described by sports journalist Dave Meltzer as "the peak of one of [WWE's] best storylines in years" Batista won a rematch with Triple H for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash.After Batista retained his title against Edge, he was betrayed by Ric Flair, who helped Triple H viciously attack the champion as Triple H challenged Batista to a Hell in a Cell match at Vengeance.Batista won the match at Vengeance, retaining his title yet again. With this win, Batista became the first wrestler to pin Triple H in a Hell in a Cell match.