Wade Barrett has reflected on one of the most popular characters of his WWE career, and his comments suggest the decision to change it did not come from the fans or even from himself.
During an interview with Inside The Ropes, the former Intercontinental Champion opened up about the rise and fall of his “Bad News Barrett” persona, revealing how a key call from Vince McMahon altered the direction of the character at the height of its popularity. Wade Barrett explained that he had spent most of his career as a villain and was comfortable in that role. However, he admitted there was a period where the crowd response suggested a different path.
“In my entire career, certainly with WWE, I was always the bad guy and I was always very happy being the bad guy,” Barrett said. “There was a moment that for sure I should have been turned into a baby face. But the crowd was so behind Bad News Barrett and they wanted me to be the good guy and they wanted to cheer me.”
According to Barrett, he approached McMahon about the situation, but the former WWE Chairman was not interested in turning him into a fan favourite. Instead, he made a different decision that would ultimately change the act entirely.
“He apparently said in the meeting that week with the creative team, ‘Barrett will never be a baby face. He’s not a baby face. He’s a heel for life. He’ll always be a heel,’” Barrett recalled. “He told me, ‘Here’s what I want from you. I want you to still be Bad News Barrett, but you can’t say the catchphrase anymore.’”
How Did Wade Barrett Feel This Decision Affected His Character?
Wade Barrett admitted the instruction left the character without its most recognisable element, which quickly affected its momentum.
“The problem with that is if you’re Bad News Barrett and you’re not saying the catchphrase, then you’re not really Bad News Barrett,” he said.
Without the signature line, Barrett felt the character lost its identity, and with it, the fans’ interest. He explained that the situation affected both his position on the card and his confidence in his future.
“At that point, it was kind of dead in the water,” Barrett said. “And I felt myself literally week by week slipping lower and lower on the card.”
Barrett wrestled his final WWE match in April 2016 before leaving the company. He later returned in a different capacity, joining the commentary team, where he has remained ever since.
