DISCUSSION - Can Dave Batista "make it" as a MAIN-EVENT face? (Goldberg/Lesnar)
Since this has become a popular topic of late, I'll pop the question: Can Batista "make it" as a main-event face?
Some Postives I see:
1) Batista has NOT had a meteroic push in the WWE (like Goldberg did in WCW, and Lesnar did in the WWE). Instead, he has been built up SLOWLY, while still looking "credible" enough due to him dominating matches at times, and still looking very tough. If Batista wins the championship, there is a MUCH LESS risk of him experiencing a METEORIC drop in popularity, (Goldberg), motivation (Lesnar/Goldberg), and stature (Kane).
We saw what happened with Goldberg. Since Goldberg squashed all his opponents during the early stages of his career, the fans grew accustomed to this. Anything short of a squash, was perceived to be a "disappointment" (which is why Goldberg's tenure in the WWE was a failure......since the WWE doesn't like the idea of having so many "no-named" guys that can just be "squashed").
Batista will never have that problem with the fans. There's more "dimension" to his character (relative to Goldberg's). If he doesn't squash his opponent......no big deal.
2) The look. Batista has "the look" of a credible main-eventer. Since Batista "resembles" the likes of Lesnar and Goldberg (based on the way their bodies look), I hink that will help Batista quite a bit.
3) Decent in-ring talent. Batista won't be confused with Dean Malenko anytime soon, but he's not putz either. For a "big man", Batista is a very capable worker IMO.
4)
(This may be the most important point): Batista has never been beaten by Triple H. The two have never crossed paths. If Triple H or the WWE EVER had a chance to "pass the torch" to someone, then Batista could be that man.
Where the WWE can "fuck it up" for Batista
Since the WWE are rather good at screwing things up :P, I'll give my analysis on how this can be achieved:
1) Make Batista to be "sympathetic" and "tame": This is what the WWE did with Kane back in 1999. For whatever reason, the WWE loves to make big men look "vulnerable" upon turning face (which absolutely destroys their "monster" image). Big Show is another guy who was victim to this (although it wasn't nearly as severe as Kane's).
Even when Goldberg came to the WWE, they made him cut a "funny" promo with Goldust backstage.
Is adding depth to a character often a good thing? Yes. Can attempting to add "depth" to a character be detrimental at certain times? YES.
Emotional and vulnerable "big men" = 
*fart* *piss*
If the WWE make Batista look like a "whipped dog" within the next few weeks (one that submissively takes orders from Triple H..............in an attempt on the WWE's part to get the fans to feel sorry for Batista), then Batista's "turn" will flop (maybe not flop...........but won't skyrocket like it could).
On the other hand - lets say Triple H is fighting next week, and loses his title match (it won't happen, I'm just creating a hypothetical scenerio).
After the match, Batista tries to comfort HHH (at ringside), but HHH shoves him away. Batista then SNAPS, and power bombs Triple H! Flair slaps Batista, but then he gets Power bombed as well!
Lo and behold - a great face turn for Batista.
2) Give Batista short and "angry" mic time: The (second) worst thing that the WWE could do to Batista's character, is make him cut long promos. Batista isn't BAD on the mic, but it's not his strong suit.
If Batista can be short, angry, concise, and to the point, then that's good enough.
Batista's "impressive" physical dominance (if the WWE push him this way) will more than make up for his lack of "Rock-like" mic skills.