Wade Barrett Teases Potential WWE Return: “If the Opportunity Arises”
Wade Barrett, the former WWE megastar who made his mark each as a wrestler and now as a renowned commentator, isn’t always absolutely ruling out a return to the ring. While fans are accustomed to seeing him in the back of the statement table, the British icon these days unfolded about the possibility of stepping again into the squared circle if the situations are right.
Best known for leading the original Nexus team, Barrett’s WWE career reached great heights. He is a five-time Intercontinental champion and earned the title of King of the Ring in 2015. However, his last in-ring appearance was in April 2016, against Sheamus the Big E & Kofi Kingston of Nine Days. After that match, Barrett quietly exited the WWE ring, leaving fans to wonder if they had seen the latter as an active competitor.
Since retiring, Barrett has been involved with WWE, working as an in-ring commentator on NXT, SmackDown, and most recently Raw. Her distinctive voice has become an integral part of the story, and fans now count on hearing her unique perspective. But despite his success in this role, Barrett didn’t completely close the door when he returned to the ring.
In a candid interview with PWMania (via AceOdds), Barrett was asked if he would ever consider stepping back into the ring. His response was not entirely definitive but left the door open for a return. “If the opportunity arises, obviously it’s something I would consider,” Barrett explained. He emphasized that while he is deeply satisfied with his current role on commentary, he wouldn’t dismiss the idea of returning to the ring under the right circumstances.
“People want to talk about it all the time,” Barrett continued. “I hype it up a little bit here and there. But I’m really, really satisfied with what I’m doing right now. I love contributing in any way I can on the desk.” Nevertheless, the former Intercontinental Champion made it clear that if the right moment presented itself, he might just dust off his wrestling gear. “If the magic is there and it happens and it’s the perfect storm, maybe those tights will be pulled out of storage, have to make sure the moths haven’t eaten them or I may have to pay for a new pair.”
For Barrett, the idea of an in-ring comeback wouldn’t just be about recapturing past glory; it’s about the right circumstances, the right match, and the perfect build-up. He also made no secret of who his ideal opponent would be: Drew McIntyre. “Absolutely it would be Drew McIntyre,” Barrett confirmed, citing their long-standing friendship and history together. “He did talk a little smack to me a few weeks ago on Raw, and I haven’t forgotten about that.” Barrett hinted that McIntyre might have gotten away with it this time, but a future match between the two could very well be on the horizon.
Barrett’s desire for a potential return isn’t driven by any “itch to scratch” like many other legends who yearn for a comeback. Instead, he is genuinely content in his current role. “I don’t have some itch to scratch like a lot of the older guys have when they talk about comebacks,” he added. “But like I say, if the opportunity arises, maybe. But don’t hold your breath.”
Adding further excitement, Barrett revealed that he recently called a surprise moment on Raw that surprised him. He talked about Bronson Reed’s vicious attack on Seth Rollins, in which Reed delivered a tsunami six on Rollins. Although Barrett wasn’t present for the live broadcast, he was behind the SmackDown commentary table that evening, and his reaction to the Raw moment was palpable “It would have been an epic moment,” Barrett reflected , and expressed his disbelief in Reed’s cruelty.
As fans eagerly await the next chapter in Barrett’s career, one thing is clear: Whether he’s in the ring or behind the microphone, Wade Barrett continues to captivate WWE fans, leaving them to wonder maybe his wrestling days really are over—or at best, they’re still over or if you’d come to agree.
H/T to PWMania.com for the above transcription
