WWE Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett may turn babyface soon. While Barrett played the part of a heel on the May 19 edition of “Monday Night Raw,” following the show when the cameras stop rolling (which is referred to as the “Dark Match” segment), Barrett played the role of babyface, confronting Triple H and getting a nod from John Cena and new comer Adam Rose.
As expected, Barrett garnered a positive reaction in the UK, no matter if he was playing heel or face, as he is from the country. However, WWE officials have noted that his popularity is growing and may plan to turn him face in the next few months.
During the Dark segment on May 19, Barrett got in the ring and delivered some “bad news” to heel character Erick Rowan. That news was a Bullhammer to the face. Cena then got in the ring and endorsed Barrett, saying that the night belonged to him and to London.
Barrett then took the microphone and said that it was good to be home. Barrett then put over Divas Champion Paige and NXT Champion Adrian Neville, who are both from the UK. Barrett encouraged everyone to come back for the “Smackdown” tapings on May 20, but was then interrupted by Stephanie McMahon.
She then told the crowd the show was over and they needed to go home. As she said this, the lights went out while Barrett was in the ring. Barrett would then cater to the crowd as the lights kept coming on and going off, to where he then told McMahon that she could kiss his ass.
Triple H would then arrive to the ring and sarcastically approach Barrett while standing on the ring apron. He played monster heel with the English fans, bullying them about their hygiene and bad teeth. As he was telling the fans to go home, they responded by singing Adam Rose’s theme song and chanting for CM Punk. Just then, Rose’s music would actually hit for a huge pop.
The fans changed their chant to, “you’re a lemon,” towards the COO, and Triple H responded with a quip about the English people and how that should be using lemons to make themselves smell better. Barrett and Triple H would exchange words back and forth, where Barrett told Trips to get in the ring and do something, while Triple H played the villain and stayed back, all the while mocking Rose and the English people.
Triple H would take a jab at WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan and say that Barrett didn’t want to continue to do this, because that the last guy who tried to hijack the show was now in a hospital bed. He said they have to leave or he will kick them out. Barrett then leveled Triple H will a Bullhammer before saying good night to the fans. Rose then had a party in the ring as people left.
Editor’s Note:
It’s quite obvious, hometown or not, that they’re going to turn Barrett soon. This new character took a second to get over, but it’s soaring high, and they’ll have to capitalize it. This could be his last chance at being a major player. If it doesn’t work out this time, it never will. Example: Alberto Del Rio.