Performers on E.R. or the Law & Order franchise have the luxury of taking leaves of absence; the longevity of such TV shows provides a certain leeway where one can be temporarily “written off” for whatever reason, then return at a time and place of everyone’s choosing. That, sadly, is never the case for a WWE Superstar, especially when they’re at the top of their game—which made it all the more difficult for Dave Batista to relinquish his World Heavyweight Championship January 13, 2006, when SmackDown emanated from Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center.

“History will be made tonight!” Those words, spoken by SmackDown announcer Michael Cole to open the show’s 334th installment, were truly prophetic—though they were in reference to, among other things, Chris Benoit and Booker T’s (through proxy Randy Orton) final match in their Best of Seven Series for the U.S. Championship. Neither Cole nor fellow commentator Tazz were expecting a civilian-clothed Batista, championship in hand, to suddenly enter the ring. And no one watching SmackDown, either from the arena or at home, was prepared for the words of the wounded Animal.

Although nagging injuries are a part of life for any WWE Superstar, Batista explained how his most recent—a torn right triceps suffered at the hands of Mark Henry less than a week before—“is a severe injury that I won’t be able to work through. It will require a surgery that will leave me sidelined indefinitely.” WWE fans throughout the Wachovia Center broke into tears as the World Champion expressed his love for their support, and how proud he was to “follow in the great tradition” of Ric Flair, Harley Race, Triple H and Dusty Rhodes. However, realizing he was physically unable to compete, he also knew that he must do the right thing. “I have no choice,” he declared, “but to surrender the World Heavyweight Championship.”
Relinquishing his title to a sympathetic Theodore Long, The Animal conveyed one more message to the SmackDown General Manager, the fans and the next WWE Superstar who would wear the championship: “I will be back. I will reclaim that title. I will be World Heavyweight Champion again.” He then embraced Long and SmackDown’s commentators, and from the top of the stage bowed to the WWE fans for being in his corner. While saying goodbye to fellow Superstars and crew members backstage, he’d share one last heartfelt clinch with a saddened Rey Mysterio, as well as one last piece of advice: to go out there and become a World Champion.
Nothing—not even the Best of Seven finale for the U.S. Title, nor an impromptu 20-Man Battle Royal to determine a new World Champion—would prove as unforgettable as The Animal surrendering his kingdom that January evening. As Tazz himself would observe, a dominant champion like Batista should have lost the World Heavyweight Championship in battle, not to injury. Although he would dethrone the rechristened King Booker to reclaim his coveted prize at Survivor Series ten months later, Batista’s anguished words continue to resonate within WWE fans and Superstars to this day—as WWE.com’s No. 7 Most Memorable SmackDown Moment.