When the former WWE wrestler-turned-Hollywood star, David Michael Bautista Jr., appeared on stage at the Mr. Olympia, cameras flashed, pictures clicked, but at the same time, curiosity sparked about why the wrestling icon was there.

The former WWE champion made a special appearance at the Mr. Olympia 2007 event, which was held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. He attended the fitness expo representing his sponsor, Nutrabolics.

Speaking about his experience, Batista said, "It was cool. I didn't get to go to the contest because I had to fly out, but I have an endorsement with Nutrabolics." He added that he spent almost two days and thoroughly enjoyed the environment, calling it a rewarding and memorable experience.

The wrestler said it felt totally like home among the bodybuilders and fitness fans. He said, “There were so many huge bodybuilders. Some are so big. There were female bodybuilders too, and fitness girls and supplement models. It was an awesome time.”

He admitted that watching "so many built people" can feel "overwhelming" for those unfamiliar with bodybuilding. However, Bautista's connection to bodybuilding is far more intense.

Bodybuilding once saved Dave Bautista’s life

In 2022, on the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel, while talking with Olympia president Dan Solomon, Bautista said, "I don’t take this lightly when I say this, but bodybuilding saved my life."

The Guardians Of The Galaxy actor detailed, "I was a really f****** up kid. I was in a lot of trouble, getting in the worst kind of trouble and hanging out with the worst kinds of people. I just didn’t have anywhere to focus and channel all my anger and aggression. And when I found a gym, it just became therapeutic for me."

Bautista also revealed that his affinity for the gym led him to wrestling. He stated, "When I got out of high school, all I wanted to do was be a bodybuilder. For years and years and years, I just paused that [because] I didn’t have what it took to be a professional bodybuilder. But I loved training so much that I turned it into professional wrestling."

So, do you think Bautista could've become a WWE star if he hadn't gotten into bodybuilding first?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy