Batista set for shock WWE return in October as Evolution reunites

Dave "The Animal" Batista is set to make a stunning return to WWE in October [Courtesy]

Batista will be reuniting with his former Evolution cohorts Triple H, Ric Flair and Randy Orton for the 1000th episode of Smackdown on October 16.

Batista's participation at the event at the Capital One Arena in Washington DC had been in doubt amid recent suggestions that he hadn't been called by the company to make a return for the showpiece occasion.

But now WWE have confirmed that the former world champion will return to share the ring with the other three members of the super group one more time.

A statement released by WWE declared: "The band is back together.

"At SmackDown 1000 on Tuesday, Oct. 16, Evolution reunites – Triple H, Batista, Randy Orton and Ric Flair will be in Washington, D.C. for the historic event.

"Evolution is comprised of some of the most successful Superstars in history – there are 49 world championship reigns between the four members, who ran roughshod through WWE from 2002 to 2005, then rode again for a vicious rivalry with The Shield in 2014.

WWE have confirmed that the former world champion will return to share the ring with the other three members of the super group one more time [Courtesy]

"What does Evolution have in store as they make their first-ever appearance on the blue brand during this groundbreaking night? Find out during SmackDown’s 1000th episode, Tuesday, October 16".

Batista hasn't been seen in WWE since 2014.

He spoke earlier this year of missing the "incredible feeling" of performing for the WWE Universe, despite the "constant struggle" of his last run with the company, and his keenness for one final stint.

"Before I'm too old, yeah, I would, I would like to go back," Batista confirmed on Edge & Christian's Pod of Awesomeness. "But it's going to have to be under certain conditions. I won't go back and go through what I went through last time. And I don't care, the fans can boo me. I don't care. Whatever.

"As long as, I hope, they're watching some of the matches. And it seems like from what I've seen that the crowd has changed a bit. They've matured a bit and I think it was a real transition point when I went back.

"It was almost like a whole new generation of audience and I think that it was a really, really weird [pocket], but I think the audience has matured a bit and they appreciate the wrestling a little bit more and are less focused on what's not there and instead paying attention to what's on the show."