WWE: Wade Barrett's Ascension, and His Chances of Becoming "The Guy"

Wade Barrett is the closest he has ever been in his WWE career to being “the guy.”

It’s a big term, one that we as fans, and as writers, throw around quite a bit.  When the words are used, in any pro wrestling discussion, there is no mystery as to what it means, it  means automatic recognition among fans.

Randy Orton has been the guy, for quite some time now.  He and John Cena were the much-debated one-two punch of the company, with Cena on Raw as the WWE Champion, and Orton on SmackDown as World Champion.

Why were they much debated?  In Orton’s case, many fans have always felt that despite his skill and ability in the ring, his backstage reputation as that of a diva who pouts when he doesn’t get his way, meant that perhaps he did not deserve his place at the top.

In John Cena’s case, well, it’s John Cena, enough said.

But, Randy’s role has changed over the past several months.  He has went from being a worker who could not be pinned cleanly, to doing the job for other guys and blending into the WWE machine as a true professional who is all about the match itself.

It is this Randy Orton, the mature, well rounded, complete wrestler, who is now putting over the man that is closer than ever to being the guy.

Barrett’s matches against Orton have not only been good, they have been extremely good.  He matches up so well physically against Randy, and on a psychological level, it has been an interesting storyline thus far.

Wade is the sinister heel, the man whose renewed confidence and drive to be the best, has led him straight to the one man that is the measuring stick of what it means to be great on the main event level for SmackDown.

But, instead of being intimidated by Orton’s icy-cold persona, or taken aback by his methodically aggressive attack, Barrett has more than stood up to the challenge.

In fact, he never even flinched.

This is not as much of a statement against Randy’s character and position in the company, as it is the current vibe surrounding Wade’s character, and how much it has evolved since his time with the Nexus.

Barrett, much like Orton, has also come a long way in recent months.  At one time, he could not win a rock-paper-scissors contest without help from six other guys.  He was presented as an evil genius whose ability to lead others to mayhem may have made him smart, but not exactly strong.

It appeared as though his post-Corre run on Friday nights would ultimately lead to the end of his WWE career, as he could not keep his head above water.  As much as Randy could not lose a match, Wade could not win one.

But thanks to the “Barrett Barrage,” the renewed focus by WWE, he now seems primed and ready for serious main-event title contention.  All he has to do now is take that next step.

He has not seen this much spotlight since the Nexus, and he has exceeded the height of that angle, with the fact that he has been given credit for putting Randy on the shelf with injury.

No one helped him.  Randy’s back wasn’t turned, Wade did not sneak attack him, it was a falls count anywhere match.  It was kill or be killed.  Wade took advantage of the situation, as only a major heel can, and has now firmly established himself as the man to beat on SmackDown.

So, here comes the fun part.  Is he ready for the World Title?

Back when Daniel Bryan was carrying around his Money in the Bank contract, the general feeling among many fans was that it would only be a matter of time until Wade took it from him.

The two men had heat, and while there is much respect for Bryan’s ability and accomplishments in the business, the fact is that Wade just looked the part, both physically, and character wise, than Daniel did.

Now that Bryan is wearing the strap, and Wade has never been bigger in the company, the question is, how long before this match takes place?  Bryan does have some heat brewing with former champ The Big Show, but Barrett could possibly sneak in the back door and make it a triple threat situation.

Wade Barrett is one of the hottest Superstars in WWE right now.  He is on a serious roll, and I find it hard to believe that the company would do all this work, help push him this far, to not get him to that championship level.  

He will be wearing gold eventually, and for me, it’s no longer a question of if Wade will be considered “the guy,” but when.