UPDATE: Wade Barrett has since debunked this report as he issued the following statement:
“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.”
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. https://t.co/ZPcBQatnCK
— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) September 6, 2025
It’s certainly not uncommon for WWE to shake things up with the commentary teams a numerous changes have been made over the last few years. For some time now Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett have been the commentary team for the SmackDown brand, but that is no longer the case.
PWInsider is reporting that Wade Barrett will not be on the road with WWE moving forward, and that his time as a commentator on the main roster shows has come to an end. The current plan is for Michael Cole and Corey Graves to call the action on Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown.
Bodyslam.net is also reporting that Joe Tessitore is currently away from TV and is expected to be off for the next few months as he focuses on college football season. Booker T and Vic Joseph are expected to work as a duo in NXT moving forward.
There’s currently no word on why Wade Barrett was pulled from commentary shows on the main roster, or what’s next for him and his run with WWE. Stay tuned for updates.