Would Batista still be booed if he had been a surprise?

[Shadrick]

Originally Posted by Tom Guycott Seems more like a reaction to the "Part-timer Syndrome" than him actually winning. For example, you have guys down the card who are there year round and spinning their wheels, then you get guys like Batista and Lesnar (or like with The Rock before) coming back to INSTANTLY be a big deal in the title scene. It's one thing to come back and be a feature attraction in and of themselves, like Undertaker... but to have someone almost literally walk in off the street and be in a positon to be "the man" again? You can argue all you want about Bats having star power and such shit, but the point I'm trying to make is that it seems they'd rather bring back someone who has been GONE FOR 4 YEARS (as they're so quick to point out) to put asses in seats instead of making someone new to give a shit about. And I don't mean in a quick, instant impact way that rarely works, but with slow build and instilled familiarity. He comes back after a long absence, gets a title shot that literally could have been given to one of 29 other people, and then after 'Mania, he'll dissappear. To answer your question, they likely would have popped huge with him being a surprise, but then, to actually win it... might have still gotten him boo'd. For this very same reason.

Bats signed a two year deal.