Wade Barrett, the former professional wrestler turned WWE color commentator, has put to rest recent rumors claiming he was removed from the WWE SmackDown commentary team. Addressing the swirling speculation, Barrett revealed he is simply on a planned two-week personal leave and will return to commentary duties shortly, dispelling reports of a permanent departure.

Last week, multiple wrestling news outlets and social media posts suggested Barrett had been taken off WWE SmackDown’s broadcast team. The speculation intensified after Michael Cole announced that he and Corey Graves would serve as the exclusive commentary duo for both WWE Raw and SmackDown in the foreseeable future. Barrett’s absence was widely interpreted as a sign that he was no longer part of WWE’s main roster commentary[1][4].

Adding fuel to the rumor mill was the controversial discussion around Barrett’s commentary at WWE Clash in Paris. Barrett made remarks during the Women’s Intercontinental Championship preview that some perceived as critical of Nikki Bella’s current status compared to her past. Nikki Bella later addressed these comments on her own podcast, conveying her disappointment and indicating that Barrett had avoided her on subsequent WWE Raw events[5]. This led to conjecture that Barrett’s removal from commentary might be linked to backstage backlash over his comments.

However, Barrett firmly denied any connection between his absence and the Nikki Bella situation. Through a post on X (formerly Twitter), Barrett stated, “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”[1][2][3]. This statement affirms that his short break was pre-planned and unrelated to any controversy.

Supporting Barrett’s clarification, Mike Johnson of PWInsider, whose outlet was mistakenly credited for the initial removal report, quickly refuted the claims: “It is a BS report. I never ever reported @StuBennett [Barrett] was done as an announcer or done with the company. Absolute trash aggregation”[1]. This pushback signals that misinformation was circulating and not official WWE communication.

WWE commentators have seen notable changes throughout 2025. Earlier this year, Pat McAfee stepped away from WWE Raw commentary citing exhaustion, and Corey Graves experienced a backstage “demotion” before being restored as a main roster commentator. Likewise, Joe Tessitore’s ESPN college football obligations have kept him from full-time WWE duties. With Cole and Graves now temporarily covering both Raw and SmackDown, Barrett’s absence fits into a broader pattern of commentary reshuffling rather than a targeted removal[1][2][3][4].

Industry insiders and wrestling media sources highlight that Barrett’s return should be expected soon, with WWE’s longer-term commentary structure still in flux[2][3]. The current arrangement with Cole and Graves is described by reports as a temporary solution addressing logistical challenges caused by personal leaves and scheduling conflicts.

A WWE insider close to the situation told Wrestling Inc., “Wade’s leave was scheduled well before the recent events and is simply a needed break. No one at WWE is cutting ties with him, and he remains valued both on commentary and behind the scenes”[1]. This reinforces the understanding that Barrett remains a part of WWE’s plans.

As commentary teams adjust dynamically in 2025, Wade Barrett’s case highlights the volatility of broadcast assignments but confirms his future involvement remains intact. Fans can expect Barrett to return in roughly two weeks to continue lending his insights and distinctive voice to WWE programming.

Key Takeaways:

• Wade Barrett is on a planned two-week personal leave from WWE commentary, booked nine months ago, and will return soon[1][2][3].

• Reports of his removal from commentary were inaccurate and denied by both Barrett and reliable sources like PWInsider[1].

• The rumored connection between Barrett’s absence and comments about Nikki Bella were speculation without foundation[1][5].

• Michael Cole and Corey Graves currently handle both Raw and SmackDown commentary due to other commentators’ absences, including Joe Tessitore’s football commitments and Pat McAfee’s leave[1][2][4].

• WWE’s commentary lineup is in a state of flux, with Barrett expected to rejoin once his personal leave concludes[2][3].

Wade Barrett remains a respected WWE commentator whose temporary break should not be mistaken for a permanent change. The wrestling world will be watching closely for his anticipated return to the SmackDown and Raw broadcast tables. WWE fans and analysts alike can rest assured that Barrett’s commentary career with WWE is on pause, not over.