Over the weekend, the WWE confirmed that one of the most successful stables in WWE history will reunite for the 1000th episode of SmackDown.

Evolution - Triple H, Ric Flair, Randy Orton and Batista - will be together for the first time properly since 2004 and with 49 world titles to their name, there's no doubt they are one of the all-time great groups in the business.

Of course, they did reunite without Flair in 2014 to battle The Shield twice, losing on both occasions. However, that angle did result in Seth Rollins turning on the Hounds of Justice and saw all three Shield members go on to be world champions.

It seems like everything Evolution touches turns to gold in that sense - pun intended - and they'll be looking to create another memorable moment on October 16.

It is rather strange that this was a stable that spent the entirety of their run on Monday night Raw, and yet, they are reunited on SmackDown.

But it seems some sources believe that there's a deeper reason for this reunion.

Batista has spoken openly about wanting to return to the WWE and his dream farewell would be a WrestleMania match against Triple H. Sources have speculated that Batista is finally getting his wish at WrestleMania 35.

The Animal will likely start his rivalry with The Game at SmackDown 1000 and whether he outright attacks him or goes for the slow burn, it's bound to develop over the coming months.

Logic says Batista wouldn't be returning with something in mind, especially given his creative differences with the WWE in the past.

The Guardians of the Galaxy star said last month: "They know that I'm always open to going back, it just has to be on the right conditions. I have to be available.

"As long as that makes sense, I'd love to go back because I miss it. I miss the audience, the immediate feedback, the adrenaline rush of the physical performance.

"It's just something that's still in me, wrestling.”

Batista had said that Triple H stopped answering his calls after originally being pencilled into partner Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 34, so there must have been a pretty dramatic turnaround behind the scenes for them to pull this reunion off.

Where a heel Orton figures into all of this, one can only speculate at this point.

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