If you've been around the SmackDown locker room at all in the last few weeks, you would've noticed that seemingly all of the talk has been centered around the highly anticipated return of former World Heavyweight Champion, Batista. The Animal has been out of action for several months since being injured at the hands of the World's Strongest Man, Mark Henry. This Friday however, Batista is back.

Sources close to Batista have told WWE.com that when The Animal makes his return to SmackDown on Friday, he's going to call out the man who injured him, Mark Henry himself. Having spent the last few months out of action because of Henry, Batista will surely have some poignant words for the World's Strongest Man when he takes to the microphone in Philadelphia.

Further fueling the rumors, was a fax received by WWE.com early Wednesday morning from SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long. The message within the fax was clear: at the Great American Bash, Batista will get his chance for revenge when he meets the World's Strongest Man in one-on-one combat.

Moments ago, WWE.com caught up with Mark Henry to discuss the rumors regarding Batista's return, and to get his thoughts on their meeting at The Great American Bash.

In regards to those rumors, Henry welcomes them with open arms. "Batista, Batista, Batista, that's all I'm hearing lately. If he calls me out, fine. But, consider this, when he does, he's going to have to face the consequences of his actions. When I respond, if I respond, he's going to get the beating of his life."

Regarding the Bash, The World's Strongest Man claims he is looking forward to meeting Batista again. "I'm glad this match has been made. I'm hoping that he's stupid enough to face me again. With all his hatred and anger, it's going to make it that much easier for me to get my hands on him. Now, I get to prove once and for all that what happened to him last time wasn't a fluke. I'm gonna hand him his head once again, and everybody will know that he was lucky to last as long as he did." 

The world will find out exactly what Batista has in store for the World's Strongest Man when the Animal makes his return to SmackDown this Friday at 8/7 CT on UPN.