Depending on what you think of the new NWA product and how well you like Jim Cornette, we've got some good news and some bad news.
The good news is that NWA Power has found a replacement for Cornette — who forced himself into resigning from NWA when he made comments on commentary that were construed as discriminatory. The bad news, is that the replacement is none other than Stu Bennett aka Bad News Barrett.
But, really, this is good news too.
Bennett hasn't been around a big-time wrestling promotion since he ask for and received his release from WWE in 2016. At the time, he was known as Wade Barrett (King Barrett), having grown into the character after leading the original incarnation of NXT (Nexus).
Barrett wasn't around wrestling except for the last couple of years where he popped up periodically for promotions like Lucha Underground, Word of Sport Wrestling (WOS) and Defiant Wrestling. Surprisingly, as popular as Barrett was, he's not been connected in any way to WWE or AEW.
He's an interesting and excellent choice for NWA who could use someone completely different than Cornette to distance themselves from his recent drama and Barrett has always been underrated on the mic. He should fit in nicely.
Nick Aldis broke the news on Twitter that Bennett would join the NWA as a color commentator, beginning with NWA Into the Fire on 14 December.
Missed Opportunity For WWE and AEW?
If Bennett is interested in taking on a more serious role in professional wrestling, this feels like a lost opportunity for the two big promotions and a real win for NWA who seemingly plucked a talent out of the air that both top-tier promotions should love to have.
It will be interesting if him stepping back into the spotlight a little gets either promotion interested in his services.