Former WWE Intercontinental Champion “Not Ruling Out” In-Ring Return

Former Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett has not ruled out a return to a WWE ring despite not competing in seven years and names one star he’d love to mix it up with.

Wade Barrett last laced his boots in anger back in April 2016 when he teamed with his League of Nations partner Sheamus in a loss to The New Day. The group soon disintegrated and Barrett soon found himself out of WWE before returning in a commentary role with NXT in August 2020. He has since made it on to the SmackDown announce team due to Pat McAfee’s hiatus from the company.

Speaking to the Daily Star, the former King of the Ring has discussed the possibility of him returning to the ring and says it’s something he won’t rule out:

“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.”

Barrett then discussed one star he’d love to mix it up with as he lavished praise on current United States Champion Austin Theory:

“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.”

Austin Theory looks like he is set for a collision course with one of Wade Barrett’s old rivals, John Cena, at WrestleMania 39 after offering to give Cena a “warm, warm welcome” when he returns to Raw.