WWE legend reveals real reason for absence after ‘commentary shakeup’
The longtime broadcaster won't be calling any action on Raw or SmackDown.
WWE star Wade Barrett has shrugged off speculation he is being removed from the SmackDown commentary team.
The Preston-born wrestler, who is a former Intercontinental Champion, has spoken out after reports he was ‘off the road’ and not expected as part of the broadcast team on Raw or SmackDown in the near future, while play-by-play man Joe Tessitore is off during college football season.
Raw duo Michael Cole and Corey Graves are set to call the action on SmackDown for a couple of months, as announced on last night’s show.
As reported by PWInsider, Barrett ‘will be off the road’, with the current plan being Cole and Graves handling duties on both Raw and SmackDown together.
Now, Barrett – who real name is Stu Bennett – has clarified on X: ‘WWE have kindly given me a couple of weeks off for personal time {booked nine months ago)’, and them I’m back to business as usual.’
He added that the ‘BS’ speculation about his future was ‘causing needless hate to be spewed towards people’ he works with in WWE.
Barrett has been paired with Tessitore on Raw and SmackDown (Picture: WWE/Getty Images) Tessitore will be working on college football for the next couple of months (Picture: Shanna Lockwood/WWE via Getty Images)The 45-year-old star’s last appearance at the announce desk was at last week’s Clash In Paris premium live event, as he called the action with veteran commentator Cole.
Recently, the wrestler turned broadcaster revealed he and Hall of Famer Nikki Bella had smoothed things over after an apparent disagreement following his in-character comments before and during her Clash In Paris match.
‘I would love to have a conversation with Wade Barrett. He avoided me on Monday, which was shocking because he always comes up and says hi to me. He tried to avoid making eye contact with me in the hallway,’ she claimed on the Nikki and Brie Show.
‘I understand when you wanna be a heel commentator and stuff, but then there’s one thing of like… Michael Cole does this beautifully, and this is why Michael Cole’s one of the greatest commentators – he knows how to take a life story and put it into what we do. Because that is real.’
Barrett has clarified his future (Picture: Andrew Timms/WWE via Getty Images)In response, Barrett insisted he ‘had no idea Nicole felt this way’, adding that he was ‘happy to have this “conversation” any time she likes.
He continued on X: ‘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.’
He later shared an update on Friday before SmackDown, saying the pair had spoken and ‘smoothed things over’.
Barrett and Nikki Bella are on good terms (Picture: Michael Marques/WWE via Getty Images)Barrett, without going to more details, added: ‘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 personal abuse that gets sent to Nikki on here is reprehensible and completely out of line, so let’s cut that out immediately.’
After he clarified his upcoming absence, Nikki confirmed they were on good terms.
‘lol yes great news! Sorry been off X this week. Thank you Stu!!! This all has been so wild!! Sorry for not coming to you first before chatting with Brie on the pod,’ she said.
‘Was not expecting any of this. You know how much love I have for you and loved our chat! So excited for you! Enjoy that well deserved time off!’
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