Wade Barrett On Potential In-Ring Return: I’m Not Ruling It Out, I See My Future In Commentary

Wade Barrett comments on potentially returning to the ring.

Wade Barrett comments on potentially returning to the ring.

Barrett signed a developmental deal with WWE in 2007 and arrived on the main roster as the leader of The Nexus in 2010. He was featured on WWE TV for the next few years, and he won the Intercontinental Championship five times, among other accolades. WWE released Barrett in 2016, and he hasn’t wrestled since. He returned to the company as a member of the NXT commentary team in 2020. In 2022, Barrett moved to SmackDown, and he has since called the action alongside Michael Cole.

Speaking with the Daily Star, Barrett made it clear that he is enjoying his work on commentary, and while he’s not ruling out a return to the ring, it would take something special to make it happen. He noted that there’s a possibility of a part-time return or a one-off match for the right storyline. However, Barrett made it clear that he sees his future in commentary, as he’s having more fun than ever. 

“I’m not ruling it out – maybe one day it will happen. I’d be surprised if I ever got to a point where I wanted to do it full time like a Sheamus or a Drew is still doing it. But on a part-time basis or a spot match, if the storyline made sense, it’s not something I’d rule out. In terms of my future within the industry, I 100% see it in commentary. I am probably having more fun now in my current role than I ever have in any point in my career, from the independent scene [to] the main roster of WWE and main eventing shows like SummerSlam and Survivor Series in 2010,” Barrett said.

Barrett also described how, if he did return to the ring, he’d want to work with a promising young talent, and he pointed to Austin Theory as a prime example. He stated that Theory has a high ceiling, and he shared his belief that the WWE RAW star could have a run at the top for the next 15-20 years if he can keep going.

“There are so many youngsters coming through right now that I’ve been really impressed with. I’m going to cherry pick one that I worked with a bit in NXT. He’s young, up and coming and I think he’s got a huge future, and that’s Austin Theory. That guy’s ceiling is as high as any [in] this young pack of Superstars coming through right now. I think Theory probably has another 15-20 years at the top if he wants it and can keep going, and stay fit and healthy. In terms of his personality, his confidence on the mic, his smarts behind the scenes and of course his athletic ability, he’s a guy who could really go to the top. That’s the kind of person I would certainly be looking at if it was to be a youngster I’d step in the ring with,” Barrett said.

In an interview with Fightful, Theory stated that he wants a replica of the $100 million golden egg. Click here to see what he had to say.

Check out the card for the March 3 episode of WWE SmackDown here.

Paul Heyman recently discussed Sami Zayn’s journey to the main-event level. Check out his comments here.