Is he a high maintenance show pony?

No that is NOT true, directors like James Gunn, RZA, and other directors especially cast members did not have any problem working with him, they like him, for example, Chris Pratt, Daniel Craig and Alan Moussi says that Dave Batista is a gentle giant and is the nicest most humble guy to work with

Interesting. Those are all big names though, I wonder if the staff, the people below him feel the same. It was just what I heard a few years back. Just chatter, no idea if there was a source.

I'll say gentle giant also. Even though he is divorced, he stays on well terms with his ex wife, she either had/have cancer and he stays in contact with her. Also, he became a father and grandfather (yes Grandfather) pretty early. He brings his grandbabies with him at movie openings.