During his weekly sit-down interview with Michael Cole at WWE.com, Triple H was asked about the return of Batista and what might be in store for him now that he's coming back to WWE on the Jan. 20, 2014, episode of Monday Night Raw.
There are some who believe his extended answer was a teaser for the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view in Minneapolis in February.
"Dave and I go way back. I've been there with him since the beginning. Through Evolution we have fought side-by-side as the best of friends and we have fought face-to-face as the worst of enemies. I'm excited. I'm thrilled to see Batista back here where he belongs, back home in the WWE. You would have to ask Dave (what his plans are) but I can tell you this: If you look at the landscape now all of sudden... Randy Orton, John Cena, CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, The Beast Brock Lesnar and The Animal Dave Batista. All of a sudden things are very interesting at the top."
Because he listed six names, the natural assumption is that could be the elimination chamber match this year, and if that's the case it would be loaded with as much star power as its ever been. That's pure speculation at this point, however, and there has been no report or even rumor to suggest as much until now.
So don't go getting too excited just yet.
Then again, Cena is in the title picture with a rematch against Orton upcoming at the Royal Rumble, Lesnar stated he will be number one contender to the winner of that match, Batista is rumored to be in line to win the Rumble match itself, and both Punk and Bryan have ties to issues with The Authority and, in turn, Orton.
So this isn't exactly crazy speculation drummed up from nothing.
Still, managing expectation is key here.