Batista Pulled From Advertising For WWE Live Event

UPDATE x 2: The time frame for Batista’s reported return to WWE is no longer clear.

UNLVTickets.com, the official ticketing company for the Las Vegas-based Thomas & Mack Center, is no longer advertising “The Animal” for WWE’s scheduled non-televised event at the venue on Sunday, February 16, 2014. A graphic featuring the six-time world champion was also removed.

On Friday evening, the ticketing company prematurely revealed that Batista would be returning to WWE for the show in the following promotional message: “WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania will make a stop at Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mack Center on Sunday, February 16. Don’t miss your favorite WWE Superstars including: CM Punk, The Shield, Big Show, Kane, the WWE Divas and much more! Plus, see the special return of “The Animal” Batista, LIVE!”

Sources within the company confirmed tous that while the 44-year-old is coming back, it was meant to be kept as a surprise. They are pissed off that word leaked out for obvious reasons.

This was not the only advertising miscue as Jeramie McPeek, Vice President of Digital Operations for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns, revealed on Twitter Friday night that Batista would appear at another non-televised event; scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The message was quickly deleted.

Batista had been contemplating a return to WWE since last spring, but his acting schedule prevented him from making a commitment until recently. He claimed in subsequent media interviews that he left the company in 2010 due to unhappiness with the family-friendly product.

UPDATE: As announced Friday evening, WWE will hold a live event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014, and according to www.unlvtickets.com, “The Animal” is scheduled to appear at the event. Sources within the sports-entertainment organization confirmed to us that this is not an advertising error as he is indeed coming back. Advertising was released prematurely, spoiling WWE’s planned surprise (which one source speculated as taking place at the Royal Rumble next month).

This is not the only event he is scheduled for as an executive for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns revealed on Twitter last night that Batista will appear at a live event scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The message was quickly deleted.

According to sources, Batista’s name will be added to more events but it’s unknown if they will be announced. If they are, you can expect WWE to immediately notify the arena websites to have his name removed. As we reported last night, WWE is trying to keep things a secret and aren’t happy that word has already leaked out.

ORIGINAL: Former WWE Champion Batista is returning soon to WWE.

As announced this evening, WWE will hold a live event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014, and according to www.unlvtickets.com, “The Animal” is scheduled to appear at the event. Sources within the sports-entertainment organization confirmed to us tonight that this is not an advertising error as he is indeed coming back. Advertising was released prematurely, spoiling WWE’s planned surprise (which one source speculated as taking place as early as the Royal Rumble next month). As you can imagine, WWE is not happy the advertising leaked out early.

Batista, who is now 44-years-old, had been contemplating a return to WWE since last spring in discussions with Triple H. However, his acting schedule prevented him from making a commitment until recently. We reported late Wednesday night that Batista had been in talks with WWE and that negotiations were continuing to take place.

One source speculated that Batista will not appear for WWE until he is called to promote Guardians, which is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 1, 2014. They likely won’t wait that long though and the return could happen as early as the Royal Rumble pay-per-view next month as we noted above.

Batista last appeared for WWE in 2010, with his final match resulting in a loss to John Cena. He later stated in media interviews that he left WWE due to unhappiness with the company’s family-friendly product. He did not, however, rule out a return to the organization as he has said that he would be interested in having another run.

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTO): Batista’s *NEW LOOK* Revealed!!! **WHOA**!! ((BRAND NEW))