Retired WWE Star Not Ruling Out In-Ring Return

Wade Barrett is open to getting in the ring again in WWE “if the opportunity arises.”

Before becoming a colour commentator, Wade Barrett was a formidable force in the ring. The English star led the original Nexus faction in their attempted takeover of WWE before going on to become a five-time Intercontinental Champion and the 2015 King of the Ring. Barrett had his last match in April 2016, teaming with Sheamus in a losing effort against The New Day’s Big E & Kofi Kingston. The star left WWE shortly after the bout and effectively retired from the ring, although he made appearances as an authority figure in the NWA and the UK’s World of Sport.

Since returning to WWE in 2020, Barrett has been a colour commentator for NXT and SmackDown, and is currently one of the voices of Raw. During a recent interview with PWMania (via AceOdds), Barrett was asked about a potential return to the ring and who he would want to face. The star named Drew McIntyre as his ideal opponent for a comeback due to their history.

“Yeah, I think we all know the answer to that. Absolutely it would be Drew McIntyre. He’s someone I go way back with and very close friends with the guy over the years. He did talk a little smack to me a few weeks ago on Raw and I haven’t forgotten about that. I’m not going to make a major deal of it, but he’s lucky he stopped where he did. Let’s just put it that way because if he did take one more step forward, the old bull hammer would have come out, boom, knocked him on his ass, and perhaps that in-ring comeback would have happened by now, but I’m not clamouring for anything like that.”

While Barrett is “thrilled” to be behind the announce desk, he wouldn’t rule out getting back in the ring if the circumstances are right.

“Let me be clear. I always say this. People want to talk about it all the time. I hype it up a little bit here and there. If the opportunity arises, obviously it’s something I would consider and think about and think, could I deliver something here but similarly, I’m absolutely thrilled with my role on commentary. It’s not something I’m looking to step away from. I don’t have some itch to scratch like a lot of the older guys have when they talk about comebacks. I’m really, really satisfied with what I’m doing right now. I love contributing in any way I can on the desk. But like I say, 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, we’ll see. There’s always a tiny, tiny chance, but don’t hold your breath.”

In the same interview, Wade Barrett named two other stars he would like to see come out of retirement, saying one return would create an “epic moment.”

Wade Barrett Wants Audio Of Epic WWE Raw Moment To Leak

Wade Barrett has revealed he called a shocking moment on Raw despite missing it live. When Bronson Reed viciously attacked Seth Rollins, landing six devastating Tsunamis on The Visionary on Raw, Barrett was behind the booth on SmackDown. However, when WWE was looking for a partner for the recently hired Joe Tessitore, they got the English star in to call the match with him as a test run.

H/T to PWMania.com for the above transcription