Although Batista’s decision to embark on a hiatus from WWE was initially viewed publicly as a personal move for the wrestler to pursue outside opportunities, new information suggests it also had to due with unhappiness towards WWE’s product.
Speaking to F4WOnline.com’s Dave Meltzer, Batista said that he left, at least in part, due to frustration with the direction with the company and that he has no immediate plans of returning. The wrestler specifically pointed to the new PG initiative, arguing that stars like Steve Austin and The Rock, who were from his preferred era of wrestling, would presently not be able to do what got them over in the late-90s.
— Shawn Michaels, who was in the camp that believes Bryan Danielson’s WWE release is legitimate, was said to be “furious” about the release.
Shawn Michaels’ Texas Wrestling Academy was the first real home for Danielson’s pro wrestling training.