Nick Aldis to be replaced by WWE star as new SmackDown GM, WrestleMania retirement? - 5 Directions for Wade Barrett after leaving RAW

WWE commentator Wade Barrett will not be heading into RAW’s Netflix era. The Stamford-based promotion has announced Michael Cole and Pat McMafee as the commentary duo for the Monday night show.

However, the company could also have several plans for the former five-time Intercontinental Champion. Here are five directions that Bad News Barrett can take after his exit from RAW:

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#5. Wade Barrett could go back to SmackDown

Since Michael Cole would be vacating his spot on SmackDown, Wade Barrett could replace the veteran on the blue-branded show. The former British pro wrestler could join another former pro wrestler, Corey Graves, or Joe Tessitore for the play-by-play commentary of the Friday night show.

The blue brand's commentary team could use a boost and the addition of Barrett could be perfect.

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#4. Start a feud with Drew McIntyre at the Royal Rumble

Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett are real-life friends. However, during his feud with CM Punk, The Scottish Psychopath didn’t listen to Barrett while the latter was trying to calm him down during an ambush. Moreover, McIntyre also threatened the commentator the following week and asked him to not meddle in his business.

WWE could use this as the foundation to kickstart a feud between the two veteran superstars. Barrett could make his in-ring return at the Royal Rumble, clashing with The Scottish Warrior. This could lead to a big WrestleMania 41 match that finally retires the five-time Intercontinental Champion.

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#3. Replacing Nick Aldis as the General Manager of SmackDown

Nick Aldis took the reins of WWE SmackDown as its General Manager back in October 2023 when Adam Pearce was relieved from the GM duties of both brands. Notably, Aldis is a terrific in-ring performer and is a former NWA World Heavyweight Champion, with his reign standing at a staggering 1043 days.

Fans and several pro wrestling analysts have been speculating that WWE could soon remove Aldis as the GM of SmackDown and use his in-ring talents. Moreover, he is a former rival of Cody Rhodes and the latter had even defeated him for the NWA World Title at the 2018 ALL IN.

Thus, the Stamford-based promotion could make Aldis turn heel and become The American Nightmare’s future challenger, while Triple H could appoint Wade Barrett as the new General Manager of SmackDown.

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#2. Wade Barrett could take a break from WWE

Wade Barrett had made his exit from WWE and retired as a professional wrestler back in May 2016. The former leader of Nexus and The Corre later returned in September 2020 as a commentator for the NXT brand.

If the company doesn’t have any plans to unretire him and if Wade is unwilling to get back in the ring, he could take a break from the Stamford-based promotion.

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#1. Barrett could join hands with Gunther

Wade Barrett is a staunch supporter of the reigning World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. After retaining his title against Damian Priest at the Survivor Series: WarGames, The Ring General had a conversation with Barrett in a post-show segment.

Interestingly, the WWE commentator was clad in the all-black attire of The Impeirum and asked if he made the cut to join the stable. In response, the 2024 King of the Ring said that Barrett was qualified to join the crew and that he had also discussed his inclusion with Ludwig Kaiser:

"We talked about that before around here. Ludwig and I are both under the assumption that Wade would be a very fitting member," Gunther said. [17:32 - 17:57]

Barrett clarified that he is too old for an in-ring return. But, since he is interested in joining the faction and Gunther and Kaiser also want him on board, he could team up with them as a manager.

As the Netflix premiere of RAW comes close, it would be interesting to see what lies in the future for Barrett.