Wade Barrett Then and Now

Wade Barrett Then

Stuart Alexander Bennett, known professionally as Wade Barrett, was born on August 10, 1980, in Penwortham, United Kingdom. 

Raised in Preston before moving to Wales at the age of six, Barrett had a somewhat transient childhood, having never lived in one place for more than nine years. 

Despite this, his early experiences and inspirations were deeply rooted in the world of professional wrestling. 

Barrett’s passion for wrestling was ignited by his admiration for Davey Boy Smith, and his favorite match of all time was the WWF Intercontinental Championship bout between Smith and Bret Hart at SummerSlam 1992. 

This early admiration for the sport set the stage for his future career in wrestling.

Before embarking on his wrestling journey, Barrett pursued a degree in marine biology at the University of Liverpool. 

Following his graduation, he worked in a science lab and as a recruitment consultant, all while training to become a professional wrestler. 

His path to wrestling was not conventional, as he spent part of his early 20s competing as a champion bare-knuckle boxer across Europe. 

This gritty phase of his life was marked by a high-profile match in Budapest, known as “The Battle of Buda,” where he defeated a notable opponent for a significant cash prize. 

However, this period was not without its dangers; Barrett was involved in a violent incident where he was stabbed during a robbery attempt. 

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Despite severe blood loss and a resulting 12-inch scar, he managed to defend himself and escape with the money. 

His bare-knuckle boxing experiences left him with a disfigured nose and a deep scar, but he has expressed no regret about this chapter of his life.

Barrett’s bare-knuckle boxing career significantly influenced his WWE persona. 

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At the behest of WWE legend Dusty Rhodes, Barrett’s wrestling gimmick incorporated elements of his real-life fighting background, portraying himself as a bare-knuckle champion with a reputation for street fights across Europe. 

This backstory was reflected in his signature wrestling move, “Wasteland,” which he named after the many fights he had participated in during his bare-knuckle boxing days. 

This gritty, tough persona helped establish Barrett as a formidable presence in the WWE, blending his real-life experiences with his wrestling career.

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Wade Barrett Wrestling Career

At the age of 21, Stuart Alexander Bennett, known professionally as Wade Barrett, made the pivotal decision to pursue a career in professional wrestling. 

He began his training under Jon Ritchie and Al Snow, gaining the skills necessary to enter the wrestling world. 

Barrett’s debut came in June 2004, when he appeared as Stu Sanders in a 30-man battle royal hosted by NWA UK Hammerlock Wrestling. 

Early in his career, he performed in various promotions, including Dropkixx Wrestling, Real Quality Wrestling, and Welsh Wrestling. 

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Notably, he won the Dropkixx IWC Heavyweight Championship in June 2005 and engaged in a feud with Nick Aldis and Danny Dexter.

Barrett’s first significant opportunity with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) arose in November 2006 when he appeared as part of a security team on an episode of Raw in Manchester. 

Following a series of tryouts, he signed a developmental contract with WWE in October 2007. 

He was initially assigned to Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW), where he competed under the Stu Sanders ring name. 

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There, he teamed up with Paul Burchill, and together they won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship in January 2008. Their reign lasted nearly two months before they lost the titles to Los Locos.

As WWE transitioned from OVW to Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) as its developmental territory, Barrett moved to FCW. 

On May 6, 2008, he and Drew McIntyre, known as The Empire, captured the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship. However, they lost the titles back to The Puerto Rican Nightmares shortly after. 

The team disbanded, and Barrett, now wrestling under the name Lawrence Knight, transitioned into a commentator role due to an injury. 

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In August 2009, he adopted the name Wade Barrett, inspired in part by Wade Dooley, and began to develop a darker character, which he described as an extension of his “dark side.”

Barrett’s career took a major turn in 2010 when he won the first season of WWE’s NXT. 

He made his main roster debut later that year as the leader of The Nexus, a notorious faction of NXT rookies. 

Barrett’s role as the leader of The Nexus elevated him to prominence, and he headlined multiple WWE pay-per-view events, including SummerSlam and Survivor Series, though he fell short in his WWE Championship pursuits. 

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In 2011, he formed The Corre with former Nexus members, but the group was short-lived. 

Barrett then became a five-time Intercontinental Champion, solidifying his place in WWE’s upper echelon.

In 2013, Barrett rebranded himself as Bad News Barrett, a character known for delivering unfavorable news with delight. 

This persona evolved further in 2015 when he won the King of the Ring tournament, adopting the regal title of King Barrett and embodying an arrogant royal character. 

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Throughout his WWE career, Barrett was known for his villainous roles, regardless of character changes. 

After leaving WWE in 2016, he transitioned to the international independent circuit, taking on roles such as a commentator for World of Sport Wrestling and a general manager for Defiant Wrestling.

In addition to his wrestling career, Barrett ventured into acting, making his debut in the 2013 film Dead Man Down. 

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He has since appeared in action films like Eliminators (2016), I Am Vengeance (2018), and I Am Vengeance: Retaliation (2020). 

Despite his departure from the ring, Barrett’s acting career has allowed him to maintain a presence in the entertainment industry. 

He returned to WWE in 2020 as a commentator for NXT, showcasing his continued involvement in the wrestling world in a different capacity.

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Wade Barrett Wrestling Competition

• NWA UK Hammerlock Wrestling
• Dropkixx Wrestling
• Real Quality Wrestling
• All-Star Wrestling
• Welsh Wrestling
• Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW)
• Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW)
• World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
  • NXT
  • Raw
  • SmackDown
• World of Sport Wrestling

Wade Barrett Now

Stuart Alexander Bennett, better known by his ring name Wade Barrett, is a retired English professional wrestler currently thriving in a different capacity within WWE. 

Now 44 years old, Bennett transitioned from his in-ring career to a successful role as a commentator, bringing his extensive wrestling experience and charismatic personality to the announcer’s table. 

After stepping away from active competition in 2016, Barrett made his return to WWE in 2020 as a commentator for the NXT brand. 

His return marked a new chapter in his wrestling career, allowing him to stay connected to the sport and its fans, this time through his insightful commentary and sharp wit.

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In 2022, Barrett made another significant move within WWE, shifting to the SmackDown brand, where he continues to serve as a color commentator. 

His role on SmackDown allows him to provide expert analysis and narrative to the matches, drawing on his years of in-ring experience and deep understanding of the wrestling business. 

His transition from wrestler to commentator showcases his versatility and enduring presence in the industry, as he seamlessly adapted from a performer in the ring to a voice of the sport.

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Despite no longer competing, Barrett remains an influential figure in WWE, connecting with fans and contributing to the storytelling of the sport. 

His deep knowledge of wrestling, combined with his distinctive voice and personality, has made him a valuable addition to the commentary team. 

Wade Barrett continues to be a prominent and respected figure in WWE, highlighting that his impact on the industry extends beyond his days as a competitor in the squared circle.

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Wade Barrett’s Net Worth

Wade Barrett, an English retired professional wrestler and actor, has built a substantial net worth of $7 million over his career. 

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