Wade Barrett Coming Out Of WWE Retirement, Huge Comeback Match Planned
Wade Barrett to END eight-year WWE retirement with huge return match...
Wade Barrett could be set to come out of WWE retirement for a match with Drew McIntyre, reports WrestleVotes.
During WrestleVotes radio on Backstage Pass, it was stated that Barrett returning to action for a McIntyre program has been discussed. This would likely be a short-term deal, rather than a full-on, full-time in-ring comeback for Wade, who hasn't wrestled since 2016.
Emerging through the British independent scene of the mid-2000s, Barrett was signed to WWE's developmental system, OVW, in 2007. Three years later, he broke out through the first season of NXT, then as the Nexus' leader in the stable's company-wide takeover angle, before becoming a notable victim of John Cena's unbeatable babyface push, forever halting his momentum towards the top of the card.
Nonetheless, Barrett later found success as a five-time Intercontinental Champion and King of the Ring winner, as well as with his Bad News Barrett gimmick, which caught on in 2015.
The 44-year-old departed WWE shortly after WrestleMania 32. He and League of Nations stablemate Sheamus were defeated by the New Day on the 4 April 2016 episode of Raw, which, to this date, is Wade's last wrestling match. This might not be the case for much longer, however.
Wade Barrett vs. Drew McIntyre Is In The Works For WWE
Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett have wrestled many times, primarily in WWE's developmental territories, OVW and FCW. They teamed as The Empire in 2007, reigning as FCW Florida Tag Team Champions for a while, but reprised their rivalry before Drew returned to the main roster.
McIntyre and Barrett's last singles match came on a June 2013 house show in Cardiff, Wales.
The duo have interacted heavily as part of McIntyre's feud with CM Punk this year, with Barrett, now a WWE announcer, standing up to Drew on occasion. This gives WWE a creative starting point for a feud between the two.
McIntyre has been off WWE television since losing a brutal Hell In A Cell match to Punk at Bad Blood 2024 (5 October). Barrett, meanwhile, has been back in WWE since 2020, serving as a commentator across multiple brands.