Dave Bautista’s career has been one of incredible versatility, showcasing his talents in the worlds of professional wrestling and Hollywood. From his dominating performances in the ring to his captivating portrayals on the silver screen, Dave Bautista has cemented himself as a force to be reckoned with. Leaving a lasting impact on both industries. Outside of wrestling and acting, Batista is also an entrepreneur and animal rights activist.
In the world of professional wrestling, Dave Bautista, also known as Batista, has left an indelible mark with his dominating presence and charismatic personality. Beyond his in-ring prowess and successful acting career, Batista’s body is adorned with various tattoos that add to his intriguing persona. Each tattoo holds a special meaning, providing a glimpse into the wrestler-turned-actor’s personal journey and values.
Until now, Batista has had a total of 33 tattoos on different parts of his body. One of Batista’s most prominent tattoos is the tribal design that spans his upper back, encompassing his shoulder blades. The tribal pattern symbolizes strength, power, and heritage. Another noticeable tattoo of the Sun is around his navel. However, it was later modified with Crows and the number 202 on it.
Moreover, of all his tattoos, the one of Manny Pacquiao on his left wrist has been the most controversial and talked about. is a retired professional boxer and a prominent figure in the world of boxing. Pacquiao’s career has spanned multiple weight divisions. And garnered him worldwide recognition as one of the sport’s greatest fighters.
Why did Batista cover up the Manny Pacquiao tattoo?
Dave Bautista had a Manny Pacquiao tattoo printed over his lower wrist. In an interview with GQ, Dave describes the tattoo as the team logo with his friend Pacquiao. He also admitted that he used to look up to the boxing legend. However, in 2016, The Animal covered up the tattoo with a Sarah Jade tattoo. Moreover, Batista also shared a picture before and after covering up the tattoo on Instagram in October 2016.
Dave also described the reason for concealing the tattoo in his GQ interview. He stated, “he [Paquiao] come out publicly with some anti-gay statements and turned out to be an extreme homophobe. I had a huge issue with it. It’s a personal issue with me, my mum is a lesbian”. Dave further said that he couldn’t call Manny his friend after his statements. That’s why he covered the tattoo up.
Actually, Pacquiao had referred to homosexual people as “worse than animals” in a public appearance. In another interview with TMZ, Dave said, “I don’t think it’s funny. If anyone called my mother an animal, I’d stick my foot in his ass”. Furthermore, Pacquiao later apologized for his homophobic statements on social media.
