Former World Heavyweight Champion Batista has said he left the WWE in 2010, partly out of spite.

Batista quit the company in 2010, with the on-screen explanation being that then-RAW GM Bret Hart demanded he compete whilst in a wheelchair. 

In an interview with Talksport, the Animal said how he wanted to develop his skills as an actor, which WWE were not allowing him.

"I have to say it came from me discovering I was a horrible actor and I wanted to be a better actor and I wanted to do it while I was still with WWE. They would not give me the opportunity within the company. So I said, ‘I should be given the opportunity to do it outside of the company.’

"They said, ‘absolutely not.'” I said, ‘Well I’m going to let my contract run out and I’m going to leave.’ So that’s exactly what I did and I set out to be an actor.”

Since leaving the company, Batista has become a major Hollywood star, appearing as Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel films, Mr Hinx in James Bond's 'Spectre', and in Blade Runner 2049.