WWE announcer Wade Barrett has set the record straight following the latest updates concerning the commentary line-up for main roster shows moving forward.
Both Barrett and Joe Tessitore were not on the call for the September 5 episode of SmackDown in Chicago, as Michael Cole and Corey Graves called the action throughout the night. It was announced on the show that Cole and Graves would be more regular fixtures on the show as Tessitore would be covering college football. A follow-up report from Mike Johnson of PWInsider then claimed that the duo would also be the Raw announce team, meaning that Barrett would not be at the desk.
Aware of the reports and some of the backlash that was generated from it, Barrett took to social media to clarify the online buzz. The former Intercontinental Champion stated that he has been given time off that was booked well in advance and that he would be returning soon:
“I usually ignore BS reports like this, but it’s causing needless hate to be spewed towards people I work with. WWE have kindly given me a couple of weeks off for personal time (booked nine months ago), and then I’m back to business as usual. A complete non-story. The end.”
Wade Barrett WWE Absence Not Related To Nikki Bella Comments
Following the updates online, one of the rumours that circulated was that Barrett’s absence was related to Nikki Bella being unhappy with Barrett’s comments about her on the Clash in Paris pre-show. The claim was debunked by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, who stated that the absence was nothing to do with Barrett’s prior comments and they were solely made in character.
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