Ronda Rousey signing with WWE was always going to be a big deal, the company always had the intention from day one to include her headline match at WrestleMania 34 in New Orleans and as such she is teaming up with Kurt Angle to take on WWE power couple Triple H and Stephanie McMahon on Sunday. 

This however wasn't always the plan with The Rock originally considered in Angle's role but due to legalities surrounding movie insurance a deal could never be reached. The risk of him injuring himself is just too much of a concern to movie studios. 

It now transpires that former WWE Superstar Batista was another name being considered for the match, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Batista has been vocal about returning to the company but it is currently unknown why he turned down the role, we do know that he did also turn down an induction at this year’s Hall Of Fame because he felt that his in-ring career is not over.

It is likely Batista sees more value in himself in singles action rather than being added to a tag match and given he is doing well outside the ring in Hollywood he was in the position to turn down the offer.