Career Timeline of Wade Barrett: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Wade Barrett, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Stuart Alexander Bennett, known as Wade Barrett, is an English-American color commentator and former professional wrestler. Currently signed to WWE, he serves as a color commentator on the SmackDown brand. He was also an actor and professional wrestling executive.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

June 2004: Professional Wrestling Debut

In June 2004, Stuart Bennett, using the ring name Stu Sanders, made his professional wrestling debut in a 30-man battle royal for NWA UK Hammerlock Wrestling.

June 2005: Dropkixx IWC Heavyweight Championship

In June 2005, Stu Sanders, later known as Wade Barrett, beat Danny Beckwith for the Dropkixx IWC Heavyweight Championship.

November 2006: Raw Appearance and WWE Tryout

In November 2006, Stuart Bennett appeared as part of a security team on Raw in Manchester and later participated in a tryout with WWE.

2007: Developmental Contract with WWE

In 2007, Stuart Bennett signed a developmental contract with WWE.

January 2008: OVW Southern Tag Team Championship

On January 2, 2008, Stu Sanders and Paul Burchill won the OVW Southern Tag Team Championship.

May 2008: FCW Florida Tag Team Championship

In May 2008, Stu Sanders and Drew McIntyre, known as The Empire, won the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship.

February 2009: FCW Commentator Role

In February 2009, Lawrence Knight, formerly Stu Sanders, became the new FCW commentator alongside Dusty Rhodes due to an injury.

August 2009: Name Change to Wade Barrett

In August 2009, Lawrence Knight was renamed Wade Barrett, with the character being described as an extension of his "dark side".

December 2009: Return to In-Ring Competition

In December 2009, Wade Barrett returned to in-ring competition in FCW.

June 2010: Nexus Formation and Attacks

In June 2010, Wade Barrett led the NXT rookies in an attack on John Cena and CM Punk on Raw, forming The Nexus. They disrupted main events and targeted WWE personnel.

June 2010: NXT Season One Victory

On June 1, 2010, Wade Barrett won the first season of NXT, earning a WWE contract.

July 2010: Nexus' First Match Together

On July 12, 2010, The Nexus defeated John Cena in a 6-on-1 handicap match on Raw. Wade Barrett later defeated Mark Henry in his singles debut.

August 2010: SummerSlam Loss and Raw Victory

In August 2010, Wade Barrett and The Nexus lost a seven-on-seven elimination tag team match at SummerSlam. He later won a five-on-five elimination match on Raw by pinning Randy Orton.

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December 2010: Rehiring John Cena

On December 13, 2010, Wade Barrett rehired John Cena into Nexus on the condition that Cena faces Barrett in a Chairs match at the TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view.

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2010: NXT Win and Main Roster Debut

In 2010, Wade Barrett won the first season of NXT and debuted on Raw, becoming the leader of The Nexus. He headlined five PPV events for WWE in 2010: SummerSlam, Night of Champions, Bragging Rights, Survivor Series, and TLC, challenging for the WWE Championship.

January 2011: Nexus Expulsion and Corre Formation

In January 2011, Wade Barrett was kicked out of The Nexus. He then formed The Corre with Ezekiel Jackson, Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater. He also participated in the Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship but was eliminated first.

March 2011: Wins Intercontinental Championship

On the 25 March 2011 edition of SmackDown, Wade Barrett defeated Kofi Kingston to become the Intercontinental Champion. Also in March 2011, at WrestleMania XXVII, The Corre lost an eight-man tag team match against Kingston, Big Show, Kane, and Santino Marella.

April 2011: Successful title defense

On the 22 April 2011 edition of SmackDown, Barrett successfully defended his Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston.

May 2011: Corre's actions against Jackson

On the 6 May 2011 edition of SmackDown, Barrett, Gabriel, and Slater attacked Jackson, removing him from The Corre. On 13 May 2011 edition of SmackDown, Barrett challenged Jackson to a match for the Intercontinental Championship at Over the Limit, which Jackson accepted, but Barrett retained the title due to disqualification at the event when Gabriel and Slater attacked Jackson.

June 2011: Continues Intercontinental Championship defense

On 3 June 2011 edition of SmackDown, Barrett defended his Intercontinental title against Ezekiel Jackson, retaining the title via countout. Later in June 2011, at Capitol Punishment, Barrett lost the Intercontinental Championship to Jackson, and failed to win his rematch for the title on 24 June episode of SmackDown.

2011: Formation of The Corre

In 2011, Wade Barrett formed The Corre with former Nexus members Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, and Ezekiel Jackson. The group was short-lived.

January 2012: Feud with Orton

In January 2012, Randy Orton eliminated Wade Barrett from the 2012 Royal Rumble match. On the 3 February edition of SmackDown, Orton defeated Barrett in a No Disqualifications match to end their feud.

August 2012: WWE Promotion of Return

In August 2012, WWE aired vignettes showcasing Wade Barrett's return, highlighting his participation in an underground fight club aimed at revitalizing his passion for wrestling.

December 2013: Returns as Bad News Barrett

On 2 December 2013, Wade Barrett returned to WWE television as Bad News Barrett, a persona he had previously used on The JBL and Cole Show. Despite the new persona, he was occasionally still referred to as Wade Barrett by commentators and backstage interviewers.

2013: Acting Debut in Dead Man Down

In 2013, Stuart Bennett, known as Wade Barrett, made his acting debut in the action film Dead Man Down.

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2013: Intercontinental Championship reign

In 2013, Wade Barrett lost to Kofi Kingston at TLC but regained the Intercontinental Championship on 31 December Raw. He successfully defended it against Kingston on SmackDown. He feuded with Bo Dallas after the Royal Rumble, including a title defense on NXT in March.

2013: Bad News Barrett Character

In 2013, Wade Barrett's ring name changed to Bad News Barrett, and he adopted the character of someone who took immense pleasure in delivering bad news.

April 2014: Wins Intercontinental Championship

On 7 April 2014, Wade Barrett defeated Rey Mysterio. Throughout April 2014, Barrett won matches in the #1 Contender's Tournament, defeating Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, and Rob Van Dam. He won the Intercontinental Championship for the fourth time by defeating Big E at Extreme Rules.

December 2014: Returns and defeats Cesaro

On 29 December 2014, Wade Barrett returned to action on Raw and defeated Cesaro.

January 2015: Wins Intercontinental Championship for the fifth time

On 5 January 2015, Wade Barrett defeated Dolph Ziggler in a 2-out-of-3 falls match to capture his fifth Intercontinental Championship.

April 2015: King of the Ring Winner

On 28 April 2015, Wade Barrett defeated Dolph Ziggler in the first round of the 2015 King of the Ring tournament. He later defeated R-Truth and Neville to become the twentieth King of the Ring.

August 2015: Chose not to sign a new contract with WWE

In August 2015, Wade Barrett chose not to sign a new contract with WWE.

2015: King of the Ring Win

In 2015, Wade Barrett won the King of the Ring tournament and his ring name was changed to King Barrett, portraying an arrogant royal character.

March 2016: Various Matches and League of Nations Events

In March 2016, Wade Barrett participated in a 3-on-1 handicap elimination match on Raw and was the only member of his team to be eliminated. Later in March 2016, he and Sheamus unsuccessfully challenged The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Championship at Roadblock. On 14 March edition of Raw, Barrett and The League of Nations attacked The New Day. On 17 March, Barrett suffered a loss against Kofi Kingston. At WrestleMania, Barrett's stablemates defeated The New Day.

June 2016: Bennett was released from WWE

In June 2016, Wade Bennett's contract was scheduled to end. He chose not to sign a new contract with WWE in August 2015. He asked for his release because he was burnt out creatively and was sick of the crazy schedule of the WWE. He was eventually released from WWE on 6 May.

2016: Starred in Eliminators

In 2016, Bennett starred as assassin George "Bishop" Edwards in the film Eliminators.

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2016: Departure from WWE

In 2016, Wade Barrett left WWE. He has since appeared in non-wrestling roles, such as a commentator for World of Sport Wrestling and a general manager for Defiant Wrestling.

2017: Non-Wrestling Roles

In 2017, after leaving WWE, Wade Bennett worked in non-wrestling roles. He made appearances in WhatCulture Pro Wrestling (WCPW), which later became Defiant Wrestling, where he served as on-screen general manager.

November 2018: Appears on Lucha Underground

On 8 November 2018, Wade Barrett appeared on Lucha Underground for its season four finale, marking his first and only appearance as Lucha Underground closed soon after.

2018: Starring in I Am Vengeance

In 2018, Stuart Bennett, known as Wade Barrett, starred in the action film I Am Vengeance.

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2018: Rey Mysterio's last WWE appearance

On 7 April 2014 Wade Barrett defeated Rey Mysterio in Mysterio's last WWE appearance until 2018.

December 2019: Colour commentary for NWA

In December 2019, Wade Bennett provided colour commentary for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) during their Into the Fire PPV as well as NWA Power tapings.

August 2020: Returns to WWE as commentator

On 26 August 2020, Wade Barrett returned to WWE on NXT as a colour commentator in a single-appearance deal. He would become an official member of the NXT commentary team the following week.

2020: Starred in I Am Vengeance: Retaliation

In 2020, Bennett starred in I Am Vengeance: Retaliation as John Gold, receiving praise for his performance despite negative reviews for the film itself.

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2020: Return to WWE as Commentator

In 2020, Wade Barrett returned to WWE as a commentator for NXT.

October 2022: Moved to Smackdown Commentary Team

On 6 October 2022, WWE announced that they had shuffled their commentary and interview teams, with Wade Barrett moving to SmackDown to be the colour commentator alongside Michael Cole.

August 2023: Moved to Raw Commentary Team

On 5 August 2023, WWE made more changes to their commentary teams and moved Wade Barrett to Raw.

January 2024: Commentary Team Changes

On 29 January 2024 episode of Raw, Wade Barrett would be replaced on the commentary team by Pat McAfee, with Barrett moving back to the SmackDown commentary team alongside Corey Graves.