WWE fans have received fresh hope that former Intercontinental Champion, Wade Barrett, may finally make his return to the ring.
The British icon arrived on the scene in 2010 and made an immediate impact. The NXT winner called upon his fellow rookies and formed the ultimate heel stable. ‘The Nexus’ left no stone unturned in destroying everything in their path.
The group caused absolute havoc, and engaged in a heated rivalry with John Cena. It included an epic elimination tag team match at SummerSlam, before the 16-time champion, eventually and much against his will, joined forces with his biggest rival.
Throughout his time as one of wrestling’s biggest heels, Barrett nearly reached the mountaintop. But he fell short at Night of Champions. The English star challenged Sheamus for the world title in a classic Six Pack Challenge. He outlasted Chris Jericho, Edge and Cena. But in the end, the eventual winner, Randy Orton, caught him with an RKO to end his pursuit of the belt.
But regardless, the powerhouse, who ultimately started operating under the highly popular ‘Bad News Barrett’ gimmick, won an impressive five Intercontinental Championships – a resume most wrestlers would be desperate for. He is also a one-time King of the Ring.
However, WWE accepted Barrett’s request to be released from his contract in 2016 – news that disappointed WWE fans. But they have been given fresh hope that the Englishman could make a comeback one day.
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Wade Barrett talks possible WWE comeback
Since his initial release six years ago, the wrestler has re-signed with the company as a commentator for NXT. But in a recent BT Sport interview, he opened up on a return to the ring.
He said (quotes via WrestlingNews): “Yeah, I can still move. I can still lift. My body is feeling good. I’ve always said that I’m in good shape, I’m healthy, and if the right opportunity presents itself at my door, then maybe we’ll see Wade Barrett return in the ring one day.
“I’m not chasing anything. Sometimes guys start floating ideas out because they secretly want to get back into the ring. I love my gig in NXT. I love commentating. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, so I don’t have some sort of strange itch I’m trying to desperately scratch.
“But, with that being said, I don’t think you ever really retire when you’re a wrestler. So if the right opportunity presents itself at the right time, then, yeah, we might see me back in the ring at some point.”
Although the former professional athlete is enjoying a life of commentating and continuing to support his beloved Preston North End, there’s seemingly more in the tank. And with the first UK premium live event in almost 20 years just a week away, hope is rife that a return could happen soon.
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