By Peter Atencio

FIL-AMERICAN professional wrestler David Michael Bautista Jr. wants to make a comeback this year.

Bautista, known for his ring name Batista, expressed his desire to return to the mat during a round-table discussion with selected scribes yesterday inside his room at the Crowne Plaze Hotel in Ortigas.

The 30-year-old Batista, who is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered last November, hopes that he would be able to make it to the Annual Raw Draft in April and be able to fight in the World Wrestling Entertainment?s SmackDown event at the Araneta Coliseum on July 10.

?I don?t know who is on board. But I want to be on it,? said Batista, who relaxed a few hours after quietly arriving in Manila late Sunday evening.

A public appearance with fans has been scheduled at 2:30 p.m. today at SM Megamall.

An early morning workout enabled Batista to stay fit and keep a calm and composed attitude throughout the entire day.

Batista, who is a four-time world heavyweight champion, three-time World Tag Team titlist and WWE Tag Team titleholder, said he suffered an injury while he was on a European Tour last November.

He only learned of the extent of his injury when he and partner John Cena took part in the Dec. 15 edition of Raw, when Randy Orton struck him in the head and knocked him down.

Eleven days later, Batista underwent surgery, and now needs at least six months to recover. Cena is recuperating from a neck injury.

?I?m over the hump. It?s been two months,? added Batista, also known as ?The Animal.?

Batista, who had a checkered past while growing up in the southeast Washington D.C. area, has a Filipino father Dave Bautista and Greek mom Donna Rae.