WWE legend Dave Bautista has lived in Hillsborough, Florida, for nearly twenty years. And it seems his reputation as a true bad*** precedes him, the town has actually made him a deputy sheriff.
Bautista dropped a photo of himself holding a deputy badge and ID on his Instagram this week. In the caption for the photo, he gave a special shoutout to the Hillsborough, Florida, Sheriff and WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil for a very unique honor.
“April 19, 2025, Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Hillsborough County, Florida,” Bautista wrote. “… I didn’t see that one coming either. 🤷♂️😂Big love and thanks to my brother Titus O’Neil and Sheriff Chad Chronister for the honor and for everything you do for this community.
“Appreciate you both. Tampa’s held a special place in my heart ever since I moved here 20 years ago. Always has. Always will.”
“The Animal” rose to prominence as a top WWE superstar with his journey beginning in the early 2000s. Batista began his tenure as part of Evolution, under the tutelage of Triple H and Ric Flair. He ascended to the main event at WrestleMania 21 after winning his first World Championship. After his WWE stint, Batista became a leading name in Hollywood.
The 6-time WWE Champion is currently thriving in Hollywood as a bona fide A-Lister. He has been a part of many blockbuster movies such as Guardians of the Galaxy, Spectre, and Dune: Part Two. Batista will next be seen in the film Alpha Gang with Cate Blanchett and the sci-fi thriller Dreadnought.
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