Real Reason Wade Barrett Has Been Replaced On Commentary (WWE News)
Wade Barrett addresses his WWE absence amidst Nikki Bella rumours.
To the surprise of many, this past Friday's SmackDown had Michael Cole and Corey Graves as its commentary team, with Cole remarking how this will be the case for the next few months. And with that, some fans have speculated as to why Wade Barrett, in particular, will no longer be calling the action for WWE's blue brand.
In the case of Joe Tessitore, he's away from WWE for the next little while due to college football commitments, though certain fans believe that Wade's absence ties back to an 'incident' with Nikki Bella.
This all started with WWE Clash in Paris, where the pre-show had Barrett previewing the upcoming Women's Intercontinental Championship match between Bella and Becky Lynch. There, the Englishman made comments along the lines of Nikki being the best of her era, but that things are different now, and that the Fearless One is chasing former glories, with Wade "disgusted" by Bella's remarks about Lynch in the build to this match.
All very much Heel #101, with the heel commentator making heel comments as he showed his clear bias towards the heel competitor in the match, right? Seemingly not to Nikki Bella.
Speaking on The Nikki & Brie Show, Nikki talked about how disappointed she was with Wade, how she wanted to have a conversation with him about this, and pointed out how, while they usually speak when they see one another, Barrett had avoided her at the following night's Raw.
In response to this, Wade Barrett took to X, saying he's happy to have that conversation and that he wishes Nikki had brought up any issues when they spoke at Raw, rather than discuss them on her podcast. He also rubbished the suggestion that he'd avoided Bella.
I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast. I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true. https://t.co/H7lkgKxkp0— Stu Bennett ????????? (@StuBennett) September 5, 2025
Following up on this 'situation', Wade revealed that he and Nikki had spoken and "smoothed things over", and that he's now back in the Bella Army, pointing to his history with the Bellas dating back to their time together in Florida Championship Wrestling.
Great news, fight fans.. @NikkiAndBrie and I have spoken, we’ve smoothed things over, and I’ve graciously been allowed back into the Bella Army. Fully paid-up member since FCW 2008 ???
A difference of perspective - to which we are all entitled - but to be clear, some of the…
— Stu Bennett ????????? (@StuBennett) September 5, 2025
In a further update, Barrett has clarified the real reason for his absence from the SmackDown announce desk, explaining how this is simply a case of him taking some pre-booked, pre-approved time off. Specifically, this is time off that the five-time Intercontinental Champion booked a whole nine months ago.
I usually ignore BS reports like this, but it’s causing needless hate to be spewed towards people I work with.
WWE have kindly given me a couple of weeks off for personal time (booked nine months ago), and then I’m back to business as usual. A complete non-story. The end. https://t.co/ZPcBQatnCK
— Stu Bennett ????????? (@StuBennett) September 6, 2025
So, for those looking for something more controversial about Wade Barrett's absence or looking to stir the pot, it's really not a big deal. The only story here is 'man books annual leave', like we all do in our professional lives.
As for how long Wade will be away from TV for, that remains to be seen, but the 45-year-old is very much one of the best in the game these days. In the absence of Barrett and Joe Tess, it appears Michael Cole and Corey Graves will be calling both Raw and SmackDown, and we'll find out on Tuesday if Graves will still also be on NXT duties.