Wrestling’s Superstars Are Invading Hollywood

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the Marvel Studios tale of intergalactic heroes tangling with the universe’s baddest baddies, raked in $145 million of domestic box office last weekend, aided in no small part by the performance of Dave Bautista. The muscular actor’s star turn as the dimwitted yet lovable (and hilarious) Drax the Destroyer drew praise from critics and the film’s director.

Meanwhile, World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the galaxy that Bautista called home until 2014, took advantage of his pop culture boost. That same weekend on its subscription service, WWE touted a package of videos called “Batista Unleashed,” a collection of his defining moments in the ring as the character Batista (minus the “u” from his real name), from his initial ascension to world champion to his final main-event match at WrestleMania.