Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Teases In-Ring Return

I’m afraid we’ve got some, well, pretty decent news, actually…

Speaking during an interview with BT Sport, Wade Barrett revealed that he has interest in an in-ring return, should the right opportunity arise.

As the five-time Intercontinental Champion detailed:

“Yeah, I can still move, I can still lift. Body is feeling good. I’ve always said, ‘Look, I’m in shape, I’m fit, and I’m healthy. If the right opportunity presents itself at my door, then maybe we’re gonna see a Wade Barrett return in the ring one day.”

Barrett continued on:

“I’m not chasing anything. Sometimes guys in these interviews start floating ideas up because they secretly really want to get back in the ring. I love my gig in NXT, I love commentating, it’s the happiest I’ve ever been. I don’t have a strange itch I’m desperately trying to scratch. With that being said, I don’t think you ever really retire when you’re a wrestler. So, if the right opportunity presents itself at the right time, then yeah, we might see me back in the ring at some point.”

It’s been over six years since Wade last wrestled, with that coming during the 4 April 2016 episode of Raw – as Barrett and Sheamus lost to the New Day in a Tag Team Title contest.

Nowadays 42 years of age, the former Nexus leader first signed with WWE back in 2007. He would famously win the first season of NXT in 2010 before then shortly leading a faction of ‘rookies’ on the main roster. In addition to those aforementioned IC Title wins, the Brit also picked up a King of the Ring win during his time as an active competitor.

Of course, these days Wade can be found alongside Vic Joseph as part of the NXT 2.0 commentary team. Prior to rejoining WWE in 2020, Barrett filled a similar commentary role for Billy Corgan’s National Wrestling Alliance.

Wade Barrett Open To WWE In-Ring Return?

Wade Barrett was recently interviewed by the Gorilla Position podcast, touching on all kinds of topics relating to his professional wrestling career – including a potential in-ring return.

“I have never retired from the ring,” said Barrett. “My focus at the moment is 100% on broadcasting, working with NXT, and telling stories verbally. I will tell you there is some gas left in the tank. That’s not to say 100% I will be back in the ring, maybe I never will, but if the right opportunity presents itself at the right time, I could see something happening.”

Barrett, 40, hasn’t wrestled since the 4 April 2016 episode of WWE Monday Night Raw, where he teamed with Sheamus to face The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Big E. Booted from the League of Nations stable that same night, he was let go from WWE in the aftermath, having decided against renewing his expiring contract.

Out of professional wrestling until April 2017, he returned via WCPW/Defiant Wrestling, where he served as a commentator and General Manager. He came back to WWE to ostensibly take the now-departed Mauro Ranallo’s seat in the NXT announce booth in August.

Wade Barrett Signs New WWE NXT Full-Time Contract

Wade Barrett is now a permanent member of the WWE NXT commentary team.

WWE announced this afternoon that Barrett has signed a new contract with the company, and will remain on the NXT announce team with Vic Joseph and WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix.

Barrett returned to WWE for NXT guest commentary roles last month, and it was revealed that he had been in talks with WWE for a full-time deal, that could also see him do NXT UK commentary down the line. The contract was confirmed this afternoon, and Barrett will be on tonight’s NXT episode on the USA Network.

A permanent spot at the NXT announce table opened up when Mauro Ranallo left the company last month, as noted at this link.

Barrett first signed a WWE developmental deal in 2007 and left the company in May 2016 after deciding to let his contract expire. The former WWE King of the Ring and five-time Intercontinental Champion has focused on his acting career since leaving WWE and has done little work in the world of pro wrestling, but he did do some commentary work for the NWA earlier this year after debuting in December.

Stay tuned for more on Barrett re-signing with WWE for the NXT announce team. Below is WWE’s full announcement on the new full-time gig:

Wade Barrett officially signs with NXT to remain on commentary team

Wade Barrett has officially signed with NXT as part of the commentary team.

The former Intercontinental Champion has been part of the announce team in recent weeks alongside Vic Joseph and Beth Phoenix.

As first reported by Sports Illustrated, Barrett will now remain an official member of the announce team. The former King of the Ring returned as a color analyst for the black-and-gold brand after several years away from WWE.

Don’t miss Barrett and all the black-and-gold action tonight on NXT at 8/7 C on the USA Network.

Wade Barrett Reportedly Negotiating A New WWE Contract

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett (Stu Bennett) is currently in talks with the company for a new contract.

Barrett made his WWE NXT commentary debut last Wednesday night and will be back this week for the special NXT Super Tuesday episode, but word now via PWInsider is that he’s negotiating a full-time return to the company as an announcer.

It was noted that the two NXT appearances were a “feeling out” process to see if Barrett and WWE were interested in working together moving forward. WWE has had interest in hiring Barrett as an announcer since earlier this year, shortly after he made his debut on the NWA announce team.

If Barrett and WWE do agree on a new contract, it will be strictly for announce team work, not an in-ring return. There’s also talk of Barrett doing commentary for the NXT UK brand, which returns with new content on September 17.

Wade Barrett To Work The WWE NXT Announce Team This Week

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett (Stu Bennett) is set to join the WWE NXT announce team this week.

Barrett has not signed a full-time deal to return to the company, according to Pro Wrestling Sheet. The NXT commentary gig for this week is just a one-shot deal for now.

Barrett first signed a WWE developmental deal in 2007 and left the company in May 2016 after deciding to let his contract expire. Barrett has focused on his acting career since leaving WWE and has done little work in the world of pro wrestling, but he did do some commentary work for the NWA earlier this year after debuting in December.

There’s no word yet on if Wednesday’s appearance could lead to more work with WWE, but we will keep you updated. During an interview with Wrestling Inc. in June, Barrett noted that a full time return to the ring was not high on his list of priorities.

“Part of my issue is that I’m close to 40 now,” Barrett said, when asked by Wrestling Inc. if he would be interested in signing with AEW. “I’m 40 in two months, so the prospect of going back and working a full-time professional wrestling schedule isn’t particularly high on my agenda at the moment. That might change… I am really excited about the explosion in opportunities in the professional wrestling world.”

Stu Bennett Joins NWA Powerrr Commentary Team

NWA have confirmed Jim Cornette’s replacement on the Powerrr commentary desk, following the veteran’s controversial departure last month.

At the close of the latest episode of the YouTube show, NWA Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis revealed former WWE superstar Stu ‘Bad News Barrett’ Bennett as the new man on the mic.

The ex-Nexus leader will make his broadcast bow on 14 December’s Into the Fire PPV.

Cornette quit his role on the NWA announce team after becoming embroiled in a racism storm, following unedited comments made during the sixth episode of the show.

The company released a statement, thanking Cornette for his work:

“Lastly, it’s the final episode of the NWA Powerrr called by analyst and pro wrestling legend Jim Cornette. We thank Jim for his support of the National Wrestling Alliance in Season 1, and his over thirty plus years with the organization. His call of the Rock N Roll Express match is an exemplary display of his many talents, and we wish Jim nothing but the best moving forward.”

In the wake of the outroar, Cornette has doubled down on his controversial comments.

Since leaving WWE in 2016, Bennett has largely focused on his acting career, though he has made some wrestling appearances, notably in Lucha Underground and DEFIANT.

Freddie Prinze Jr. Talks His Issues With John Cena In WWE, Cena Interrupting His Promo Class

Even though he is best known for starring in movies like I Know What You Did Last Summer, She’s All That and Scooby-Doo, Freddie Prinze Jr. had a short stint as a member of the WWE creative team. 

While Prinze would contribute to the SmackDown brand, he would also conduct acting workshops with the talent. During an interview on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show, Prinze revealed that the only WWE star that he ever had a problem with during his time with the company was John Cena.

“John Cena and I were the only one’s that really didn’t get along,” Prinze revealed. “It got to the point where, and I respect what John brought to WWE. He had to hold that company on his shoulders during the PG era when no one else wanted to. That could’ve been Hunter, but he didn’t want that cross. He wanted to be more rated R and do the stuff he liked to do. John took that upon himself. So for that, fans should be grateful, because it’s what made the company enough money to go to the direction that hopefully we all want it to go in.”

Prinze recounted Cena interrupted one of his promo classes. Cena’s antics forced Prinze to have a one-on-one conversation with him outside of the building.

“But we did not get along,” Prinze continues. “He did not like that I was there. He called me Ashton Kutcher for like the first three months that I was there, and walked in to the one of the acting classes in the middle of it and just sat down in the middle of the class in between the two wrestlers. And I said, ‘yo man, let me talk to you outside for a bit.’ He comes outside, and I’m not one to have confrontation with some giant muscle head dude. But I’m not going to take s—t off of anybody or otherwise you’re dead in that company. 

“So we go outside and I’m like, ‘look bro, you’re not in this class because you know how to do this. You don’t want to teach these guys or girls, so let me do my job. Let me do what Vince wants me to do, and just stay out of here.’ To his credit he goes, ‘look I know I approached this stuff in a barbaric sort of way. But you either got it or you don’t.’ I said, ‘dude you’re right about that. But you can get better or worse, depending on the type of instruction you have, and do you want them to have instruction from Vince in the promo class, or from me?'” 

Prinze gave an example of Vince running a promo class. There was one time that Vince asked Wade Barrett and Sheamus to pretend to act like dogs who are wanting to fight. Sheamus accidentally said at one point that he was having an out of body experience. Vince was incensed and told him that he’s a dog and can’t talk. Barrett then barked and Vince flipped out, yelled and threw a table over before heading out. Prinze then suggested that he could handle the classes, which is when he took over.

Drew McIntyre On Which NXT UK Star Fans Should Look Out For

Drew McIntyre’s WWE career has come full circle over the last 10 years. He went from being billed as The Chosen One to a glorified jobber to being released in the span of a few years. McIntyre then went to various other promotions to rebuild his name and reputation before returning to NXTand then WWE.

McIntyre recently was asked by Akhilesh Gannavarapu of Wrestling Inc. about his journey back and how NXT UK is a great opportunity for others who come from a similar background as him.

“There’s nothing easy about it, but you got lot more eyes on you, and a lot more opportunities…,” McIntyre said about NXT UK. “More opportunities than when we were signed. There weren’t many UK guys around; I think it was only Paul Burchill that was signed from the UK, unless you go back to the Finlays and Regals who were already living in America and were the first group of guys signed. But it was Sheamus, myself and Wade Barrett who were in that first group that were cherry-picked from the UK and brought to America.

“Now, you get to train in the UK, you get to experience the WWE, get to learn about how it is with the camera, etc. Then go to a live building, get acclimated with the country and the new culture. So no matter what town it is, it is way better opportunity-wise, and I’m very happy about it. I’m not bitter about it that I had to do it [the hard way], I’m happy that it is working out well down there.”

The European scene is currently thriving but it was much different when McIntyre was coming up. He remembered his time wrestling in Europe before being signed by WWE in 2007.

“I remember having a lot of fun,” McIntyre said of those early days. “The European scene had died down at that point and we were trying to get something going…. There was only one televised show in Europe.

McIntyre has been with Sheamus and Wade Barrett since pretty much day one and they were all brought over at the same time.

“We had a lot of fun and we all got signed to WWE on the same day,” stated McIntyre.

He was then asked about the current crop of Superstars in NXT UK and who fans should be on the lookout for.

“It’s hard not to say that Pete Dunne’s not the best considering he’s had the title for a number of years,” said McIntyre. “But there’s so many good guys and I’ve worked with the majority of them so I know how good they actually are.”

McIntyre also said that he not only enjoys the NXT UK Superstars, but he also enjoys their style of wrestling as it suits him as well.

“Everyone’s very physical in the ring and that’s my favorite style – the British style,” stated McIntyre.

Wade Barrett On Leaving WWE: ‘It Was Kind Of A Sad Run For Me’

Stu Bennett performed in WWE as Wade Barrett, Bad News Barrett, and King Barrett before deciding not to re-sign his contract in 2016. He left to pursue other interests including acting and his new film I Am Vengence recently premiered after two years in post-production. The differences between professional wrestling and fighting on-screen are vastly different. While admitting professional wrestling can be “corny,” Bennett further elaborated on his transition from wrestling to acting on Build where he also explained why his 2016 exit from WWE was the right decision for him.

“I think the biggest difficulty from transitioning from professional wrestling to the acting world is generally toning down your performance,” Bennett said. “So in the pro wrestling world, everything is massively over the top and every reaction that you do in the ring is kind of corny if we’re honest — it’s not supposed to be serious — it’s a comic book world.

“One of the things they used to say when I was beginning in wrestling was that you need to do huge emotions. Every time you react in any way whether you’re happy or sad or angry, make it one hundred times bigger than it would be normally because the guy in the very back row in these giant arenas in Row Z or whatever it is, he needs to see that reaction. So you do everything huge and over the top.

“So one of the hardest things really was transitioning into bringing everything a lot further down for the screen roles. When you’ve got a camera right in front of your face it picks up every little crease in your face and every slight hint of emotion and things like that. So bringing that down was definitely important. For me personally, one of the things I did when I was getting ready for this role [in I am Vengence] is I studied some of the older action stars like Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood because I felt they played their roles very stoically and very reserved vs the kind of action roles you see these days which is a lot more over the top — which is great — but I felt for me personally, I had to study guys who had very, very small emotions and that kind of thing.”

Bennett was asked by one fan if he could help him get a job in NXT or WWE. He joked about Vince McMahon blocking him after his exit from WWE, but he had some advice for the fan on how to start his journey in professional wrestling. Bennett also took the opportunity to explain how some of the best professional wrestlers on the planet work their entire careers to end up on the bottom level of WWE just to work their way up in Vince McMahon and Company.

“I think when I left WWE, Vince blocked my phone number so he never wants me calling him again,” Bennett said. “So I don’t think he’s going to answer my call, but what I would suggest if you’re interested in pro wrestling is doing what I did. Finding yourself a good school — I take it you’re not actually in a wrestling school at the moment? No?

“The best bet is finding a good wrestling school who are gonna teach you the ways of doing it properly and there’s a whole kind of production line of wrestlers who are kind of climbing that ladder. Even to get to NXT now — which is the bottom rung of the WWE ladder — you have to be really good just to get there.

“They generally don’t take guys who can’t wrestle. You have to have been out there on the wrestling circuit for a number of years perfecting your skills and have something to offer them. Then they’ll say, ‘okay you’re now one of the best wrestlers in the world. You now come to our bottom rung of the ladder and start working your way up from there.'”

Bennett wasn’t happy in WWE during his last run as King Barrett and discussed some of the reasons why he felt stifled with the character. He considered it a sad time because it was the end of a fun career, but Bennett was confident in moving on from WWE to follow his other passions.

“So my last run in WWE I was portrayed as The King Of The Ring,” Bennett explained. “I won a tournament called the King Of The Ring tournament and I became The King of wrestling which I was hoping at the time when it initially happened that it was gonna springboard me into bigger and better things in WWE.

“I felt that the direction the character took was a little hokey. I was kind of asked to wear a plastic crown and a ridiculous outfit and stuff like that — which if you go back to the ’80’s worked great, there were some great King Of The Rings back then like Haku and Harley Race and all these legends of wrestling and that worked for them. I felt that in 2016 that I was doing that character that I thought it was a little hokey and I wasn’t being allowed to have the kind of creative latitude with the character to do what I wanted to do and do the things that I felt an audience would enjoy as The King of wrestling.

“So that was one of the reasons why I kind of soured on my job and my contract came up to an end around April 2016 and I decided not to extend it at that point and move onto new ventures like I Am Vengence. So yeah, it was kind of a sad run for me because it was the end of what had been a lot of fun, but I knew for me it was time to move on.”

Wade Barrett On WWE Misusing Superstars, Neville Being One Of The Best In-Ring Performers Ever

Wade Barrett spoke to SPORTbible on working with Neville and WWE’s misuse of some Superstars. Here are some of the highlights:

Neville being one of his favorite opponents:

“Neville for sure is in my top three opponents of all-time. When I saw my name against him, it was almost like I knew I could go asleep during that match because everything he does is amazing. I think a lot of people look at Neville think, ‘Oh he’s that high-flying guy who does all the flips’, but literally everything he does, from even the most basic stuff, locking up, tying up, the way he moves around the ring; the way he reacts to anything I do to him and sells my stuff is always incredible, so, he’s one of the best in-ring guys ever.”

WWE having limited space at the top and misusing some Superstars:

“They [WWE] misuse a lot of guys, there’s a lot of guys you could do more with but at the end of the day they pick the guys they want to go with and go with them. I don’t think they purposely sabotage, I think there are limited spots to be at the top of the card or the highlighted guys – there are probably seven or eight guys where it’s like, ‘Ok these are our main guys going forward for the next six to twelve months’ and they need to be the guys getting the biggest reactions, being involved in the biggest storylines and stuff like that. So if there’s a guy who is getting bigger reactions than them, then I think there is an attempt to, I’m sure, make that reaction transfer on to the guys they are going with – the guys they want to push. There are just a limited number of spots, that’s the issue. You can’t have everyone in those spots.”

Barrett also discussed more on Neville. You can check out the full interview by clicking here.