Adam Pearce to drag top WWE star out of retirement to face Nick Aldis at Survivor Series? Chances explored
WWE General Manager Adam Pearce might have his eyes set on a former five-time Intercontinental Champion. Pearce might bring this superstar out of retirement and get him to face Nick Aldis, SmackDown's GM, at Survivor Series: WarGames on November 30.
The superstar in question is Wade Barrett, one of WWE's most popular heels of yesteryear. Barrett made his debut as the leader of the heel faction The Nexus in 2010. He stayed in the company for the next six years before finally departing after a series of poor bookings, injuries, and no clear direction.
Barrett stepped back from in-ring competition after leaving the company. He later returned to WWE as a color commentator in NXT. In 2022, he moved to the main roster, joining Michael Cole on SmackDown.
The rumors of Barrett's in-ring return have been in the air for some time. The former Nexus leader himself has spoken on the prospect now. In an interview with PW Mania, Barrett said that even though he is content with his role as a commentator in WWE, there might be a "tiny chance" of him returning in wrestling gear.
"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," Wade Barrett said. [H/T: PW Mania]
Wade Barrett's debut as SmackDown commentator:
Adam Pearce is not on good terms with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis these days. There have been significant tensions between the two WWE executives over the superstars from their respective brands.
At Crown Jewel, SmackDown's Randy Orton hit Pearce with an RKO out of nowhere. A few days back, SmackDown superstars Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline members had come to RAW and cost Jey Uso his Intercontinental Championship.
Pearce called up Nick Aldis last week on RAW, asking him to control his roster. After Orton's attack on Pearce at Crown Jewel, the RAW GM is also expected to show up on SmackDown this week. And if he gets into a confrontation with Nick Aldis, then Pearce certainly can think about getting Wade Barrett in and pitting him against Aldis.
Wade Barrett backs Triple H's creative control in WWE instead of Vince McMahon
The 44-year-old former WWE superstar also praised Triple H's creative control in the company compared to Vince McMahon. He said that it's the unpredictability of things he likes in the company today under Hunter's watch.
Barrett noted that when he was an active wrestler and Vince McMahon was in charge, there was stagnation at the top of the card, and he could easily predict how the matches would flow or how it was going to end.
"So that stagnation would often kill me. I love the fact that today, I don’t know who’s going to be in the main event of the next premium live event. I have absolutely no clue what the card is going to look like," Barrett said. [H/T: PW Mania]
He stated that today, he could not predict if Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes was going to make it to the top of the match-card or if he would be left off. Barrett said that today, he just cannot predict if a superstar like Roman Reigns would make it to a PLE event or if someone like CM Punk is making an in-ring return.
He further mentioned that it is this part of the company that keeps him excited today, as it keeps the audience guessing and is not formulaic.