WWE commentator Wade Barrett has responded to Nikki Bella’s recent comments, in which she claimed he “avoided” her at Monday Night Raw after making some critical remarks about her on the Clash in Paris pre-show. In a post on his social media, Barrett denied the accusation and stated that he wished she had spoken to him privately.
The situation began on a recent episode of “The Nikki & Brie Show” podcast, where Nikki Bella discussed Barrett’s commentary during the pre-show for her match against Becky Lynch. Barrett, in his role as a heel commentator, had suggested that the women’s division may have passed Bella by in the years since she last competed regularly. Bella said on her podcast that while she understands his on-screen role, she was surprised when he seemed to avoid her at the following night’s Raw.
“I would love to have a conversation with Wade Barrett, and he avoided me on Monday [at WWE Raw] which was shocking because he always comes up and says hi to me, and he tried to avoid making eye contact with me in the hallway,” Bella said. She went on to say that she felt his comments “crossed a line,” contrasting his style with that of Michael Cole, who she said “knows how to take a life story and put it into what we do.”
Barrett has since responded to her comments in a post on X. He denied her claim that he avoided her and opened the door for a future conversation. “I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast,” Barrett wrote. “I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true.”
Coming out of Clash in Paris, Bella noted that her comeback is still ongoing. The full comments from Nikki Bella can be heard on “The Nikki & Brie Show,” and Wade Barrett’s response can be seen on his X account.
I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast. I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true. https://t.co/H7lkgKxkp0
— Stu Bennett 🏴🇺🇸 (@StuBennett) September 5, 2025
