Recovering from injuries can often cause competitors to lose their momentum upon their return to action. But in the case of former Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, his WWE return has been highlighted by a dominant winning streak and change in attitude he likes to call the Barrett Barrage. Although this barrage has not yet guaranteed him a match at this Sunday’s Hell in a Cell, Barrett is still hoping to compete at the pay-per-view on his quest to obtain championship gold. Here, he talks to Wrestling with Pop Culture about his new mean streak and his goal of becoming the first English WWE Champion.
You only recently returned to WWE after recovering from an injury and returning to your bare-knuckle boxing training. Since then, the Barrett Barrage has been in full effect as you’ve dominated one opponent after another. Where did you find this extra aggression?
Courtesy WWE.
I’m glad to be back. It’s been seven or eight months since I got injured, so a lot of frustration and aggression has built up in that time. That’s combined with a slightly new style of bare-knuckle fighting-oriented offense. It’s good to be back and I’m looking to go places pretty soon.
You’re not yet scheduled for a match at Hell in a Cell, but you’ve previously had great success at this pay-per-view, picking up one of the biggest victories of your career over John Cena two years ago. Given your record there, what do you anticipate for this Sunday’s event?
You’re right, that Hell in a Cell match against John Cena is probably one of my biggest victories ever. It was a huge moment for me, especially so early on in my career. But the card’s still wide open for this year’s Hell in a Cell and, fingers crossed, I’ll hopefully be able to get myself on the card.
A lot of people have had career-defining moments at the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view and in the Hell in a Cell match. How would you feel about actually competing inside the Hell in a Cell cage?
It’s an amazing match and I haven’t actually had a Hell in a Cell match yet. I think it’s something that really just lends a certain legitimacy to the toughest competitors in the WWE. When you look at the people who’ve had the most success in those kind of matches, guys like Mick Foley, the Undertaker and Triple H, those are some of the toughest guys to have ever competed in WWE. I’d certainly like to see myself in that category of tough guys. When the opportunity comes, I’d definitely like to step into the cell and take on whoever might be up for the challenge.
You’ve defeated just about everyone you’ve gotten in the ring with since you’re return. Is there anyone in particular you’d like to face this Sunday, given the opportunity?
I’ve always got my eye on the champions here in WWE, be it CM Punk or be it Sheamus, who are the two champions at the moment. I’d love to step in there with either one of them. England’s never had a World Heavyweight Champion or a WWE Champion, so I’d love to be the first one. But the way wrestling works, you have to work your way up the ladder a little bit first. I don’t expect to be thrust into the title picture with either of those guys, but in the long run whoever the champion is – I don’t care if it’s CM Punk, Sheamus or anybody else – that’s the person I’m going to be going for.
You’re obviously not the only person with your sights set on those two. But there are some other interesting match-ups to be had between you and other fellow Europeans such as the current United States Champion Antonio Cesaro.
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Yeah, definitely. I’m a big fan of Antonio Cesaro. I think he’s done a great job since he’s gotten here, and I’m very impressed with his intellect. He speaks five languages or something like that. That in itself is hugely impressive, then he’s done such a great job in the ring since he got here. So his momentum continues, but he will be losing that momentum if he comes across the Barrett Barrage in the ring.
Outside the ring, I understand you also have a role in one of WWE Studios‘ upcoming films. What role will you be playing?
A byproduct of me being injured and being off for six or seven months meant that I was freed up and available to take part in a film called Dead Man Down, which is being produced by WWE Studios. It’s got several top movie stars in it like Colin Farrell and Terrence Howard, and it had a pretty good budget. So I think it’s going to be a good film. It was great to be part of it. I play an enforcer or bodyguard to one of the bad guys in the film, so I had a pretty cool part and really enjoyed it. It was a great experience. I think that’s being released in April of next year, round about WrestleMania.