And a star is born ( Stu Bennett )

Intercontinental Champion (2012-2013)

In August 2012, WWE aired vignettes promoting Barrett's return, showing Barrett fighting at an underground fight club in an attempt to "reignite the flame". Barrett, with an entirely new look, made his return on 7 September SmackDown, defeating Yoshi Tatsu. He then went on a winning streak, defeating wrestlers including Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, and Zack Ryder, among others.His first loss came on 8 October Raw, when he lost a non-title match to World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus via disqualification after Big Show interfered. Barrett suffered his first pinfall loss on 19 October episode of SmackDown, in a Lumberjack match against Sheamus. At Survivor Series, Barrett was part of the winning team of Dolph Ziggler against the team of Mick Foley, where he eliminated Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston before being eliminated by The Miz. The following night on Raw, Barrett defeated Kingston in a non-title match to earn a match for the Intercontinental Championship. Barrett, still number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship, received a shot at the United States Championship on 3 December Raw, against champion Antonio Cesaro, Kofi Kingston, and R-Truth in a fatal four-way match, but was unsuccessful.Barrett failed to win the Intercontinental Championship from Kingston at the TLC pay-per-view.Two weeks later, on 31 December Raw, Barrett defeated Kingston to win the Intercontinental Championship for the second time in his career.Barrett made his first successful title defense four days later on SmackDown, defeating Kingston in a rematch.Barrett entered the 2013 Royal Rumble match and was eliminated by the debuting Bo Dallas, but Barrett later returned to eliminate Dallas as well.This started a feud between the duo, with Barrett challenging Dallas to a non-title match the next night on Raw, and Dallas pulling off an upset victory.During the month of February, Barrett and Dallas continued to feud with the two attacking each other backstage.On the 21 March taping of NXT, Wade Barrett defeated Bo Dallas for another successful title defense.
During the WrestleMania 29 pre-show, Barrett lost the Intercontinental Championship to The Miz,however, he would regain the title in a rematch the following night on Raw.On 20 May Raw, Barrett and Fandango were defeated by Chris Jericho and The Miz in a tag team match after Fandango left the match to dance at ringside and Miz submitted Barrett with the figure-four leglock.Barrett then lost an Intercontinental Championship match to The Miz by disqualification, after Fandango interfered, leading to Barrett attacking both Miz and Fandango post-match.On the next episode of Raw, Barrett was defeated by Fandango in a non-title match after The Miz, who was special guest referee, gave Barrett a Skull Crushing Finale.In June, Fandango suffered a legitimate concussion, removing him from the feud between Barrett and Miz.
At Payback, Barrett lost the Intercontinental Championship to Curtis Axel in a triple threat match, also involving The Miz.Barrett received his rematch for the title on the following episode of SmackDown, but was again defeated by Axel.On 14 July at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view, Barrett competed in the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank ladder match, but was unsuccessful as the match was ultimately won by Damien Sandow.Barrett finally ended his long losing streak on 31 July Main Event, when he defeated R-Truth.On 5 August Raw, Barrett was to shave Daniel Bryan's beard at the orders of Vince McMahon as part of Bryan's "corporate makeover", but Bryan attacked and shaved Barrett instead.That same week on SmackDown, Barrett lost to Bryan,but on the next Raw, Barrett defeated Bryan after special guest referee Brad Maddox made a fast count on Bryan.Four days later on SmackDown, Barrett was again defeated by Bryan in a no disqualification match.