While the eyes of the wrestling world are trained on the WWE's biggest show of the year with WrestleMania XXX just over three days away, the WWE creative team is working on their long-term plans and arcs for the aftermath of the biggest show of the year, and reports indicate that Batista doesn't round out the Top 5 stars the company is looking to push following the big event in New Orleans.
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According to Wrestlingheadlines.com, there is an internal list within the WWE of which superstars they want to push going forward and Batista is not in the Top 5. Wrestlingheadlines.com reports that the Top 5 superstars going forward as far as the list is concerned are John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, Sheamus and Roman Reigns of The Shield.
Batista signed a two-year big money deal to return for the WWE for the first time since 2010 in January, and he was expected to be pushed as a babyface and take the WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Orton at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, but unfavorable crowd reactions have forced the WWE to make Batista a heel.
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Batista will take on Orton still, but Bryan will likely be added to the match now that there is a stipulation in the Bryan vs. Triple H match as if Bryan wins he gets into the main event.
Batista was expected to at least be in the title picture heading into SummerSlam in August to coincide with a movie release he stars in coming out around that same time, but it looks as though he's not one of the bigger names going forward, according to the list.
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Bryan may very well win the title but if not he'll at least be pushed as the No.2 babyface behind Cena, who is expected to be involved with Bray Wyatt beyond WrestleMania.
Win or lose, Orton will figure to likely either be the champion heading out of New Orleans or at least still figure in the title picture as he'll likely use his rematch sometime after WrestleMania. As for Sheamus, the WWE has always been high on him and he may get a singles match with Christian at WrestleMania as a way to build him up.
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Reigns is someone the WWE has been high on for months, as it has been noted that the WWE is looking to push him to the moon. The WWE has teased a breakup of The Shield and then reunited them, so it remains to be seen what happens with the trio.
There are rumors involving the WrestleMania XXX card regarding the WWE Tag Team Championships as well. The WWE was planning on having the New Age Outlaws take on The Usos in a rematch for the gold, but Wrestlingheadlines.com reports that "Road Dogg" Jessie James is dealing with legitimate back issues that may keep him from competing, but it remains to be seen.
Though WrestleMania XXX is the big focus now and Batista is in the main event, things may be bleak for "The Animal" coming out of New Orleans.
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