The Rock Praises AEW, Promotion Ready To Sign Another WWE Legend: Report

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) CEO Vince McMahon better bring his checkbook out and get ready to sign a hefty sum with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) reportedly making a move for Dave Bautista, popularly known as "Batista" in pro-wrestling circles.

Recently, reports emerged suggesting that WWE were in deep talks about bringing Batista back into the fold with his first appearance expected to come at their flagship pay-per-view event WrestleMania in April. He was said to be 50/50 about making his return to the squared circle after a number of years away from in-ring competition.

But they are not alone as the newly formed AEW are also thought to be looking to sign the WWE legend and are said to have made an offer to Batista. And much to WWE’s dismay "The Animal" is said to have welcomed the attention and is said to be looking at both offers before making a decision.

The new promotion took another step in the right direction after Chris Jericho — a long-time WWE loyalist — who signed a three-year deal with AEW took upon the duty of salesman in order to ensure they beat WWE to Batista’s services.

Jericho posted a picture of himself alongside Batista on his official Instagram account, stating: “Killer hang with my bro Dave Bautista today! Had a great chat.” And according to Comicbook.com, the former WWE star set up the meeting to give "The Animal" the hard sell about joining AEW.

It will be a massive blow to WWE if AEW was to snag Batista especially since he has always been connected to the former. McMahon is already a worried man with other WWE stars looking toward the new promotion as a way to earn a lucrative deal and have a better role.

Batista has previously in 2018 admitted that he does miss wrestling every day and is constantly thinking about making a return to in-ring competition. However, he has revealed more recently that 2019 will be the last year he will compete in the ring as he does not want to “overstay his welcome”.

"I told them [WWE] next year would be my last year," Batista said, as quoted on comicbook.com. "I'm turning 50 next year, I'd be willing to. I feel great. Physically, I'm in great shape. I've never let up on that. But I just don't want to be the old guy in the ring and I don't want to overstay my welcome. I just want to end my career the right way and next year will be the last opportunity, so if we can't make something happen by next year, then I'm just gonna officially hang it up."

Meanwhile, AEW’s week is only getting better after they received praise from WWE legend and Hollywood star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson after it was revealed that they sold out within four minutes of announcing their first show – Double Or Nothing – in Las Vegas on May 25.

“God I love when you cut baby face promos. Great s--t Mongoose! Congrats on the sell out!!” The Rock wrote replying to a video posted on AEW’s official Twitter page.