Corey Graves-WWE Update
Added 2025-01-14 20:51:27 +0000 UTCCorey Graves appears unhappy on the surface after being moved to NXT.
Corey Graves was moved to NXT in a commentary shakeup that saw Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett on Smackdown, and Michael Cole and Pat McAfee on WWE Raw. Fightful Select had heard word last week that Graves wasn't happy, which seemed to boil over this week.
To be clear -- Fightful Select has not confirmed if this is a work or a shoot, but those close to him claim it's real. Graves posted a tweet on January 13 laying out his history, being medically sidelined from a wrestling career, working commentary in a variety of roles, and claiming he was told he wasn't "famous enough" to retain the spot. He also indicated on January 14 he had a lot to say "tonight."
Shortly after, PWInsider claimed that Corey Graves was seen at TSA leaving the Orlando area and was not going to be on NXT. Fightful can't confirm that info, but did learn a lot more.
Graves lives in the Pittsburgh area, not Orlando or Florida like much talent. He re-signed with WWE in January of 2024, and has at least a couple of years left on his deal. As of 3:45 PM ET, he was not at NXT rehearsals, and there were only two chairs present for NXT.
One WWE source that we spoke to last week pointed to WWE's commentary teams constantly shuffling, and Michael Cole and Graves being the constants. That source, a WWE higher up, said at the time they'd be shocked if Graves wasn't back on Raw or Smackdown by the Spring. Previously Graves had gained heavy praise in WWE for being so flexible with his role and schedule.
Fightful Select’s Corey Brennan has asked about Graves in NXT this week, and was claimed to by multiple sources that Graves was legitimately frustrated with being moved to NXT.
When asking amongst both talent and production sources in NXT, we did not hear from anyone who was aware of Graves’ initial move to the brand, with many being surprised to see him at New Years’ Evil on January 7th, with one source expressing they believed he was on the call due to being in town for the show.
Comments
So he had multiple back stage fights? I believe SRS may have picked up in that information.
Troy A Palek
2025-01-15 10:08:15 +0000 UTCLol Graves isn't a head pbp guy. The hell
ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔢𝔰 𝔏𝔢𝔢 ℜ𝔞𝔶
2025-01-15 03:55:09 +0000 UTCI agree except daddy magik and jericho on commentary are ass
ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔯𝔩𝔢𝔰 𝔏𝔢𝔢 ℜ𝔞𝔶
2025-01-15 03:54:34 +0000 UTCHonestly, I could completely do without McAfee. Graves could've kept his spot
Marq
2025-01-15 03:48:12 +0000 UTCI would keep Michael and Corey as the PLE Commentary team. I would love to see corey graves in NXT. I would replace Booker T and Put in Corey Graves he can add alot. Him and Vic Joseph would be fire
Kamonte Jackson
2025-01-15 01:37:30 +0000 UTCThis sucks. I really enjoy his work and would like to continue seeing him shine. Hopefully something gets worked out.
Stacy
2025-01-14 23:42:38 +0000 UTCI might be the only one here who isn’t upset by Graves not being around as much. For me, he doesn’t add much to the show. Most of the time he just annoys me more than anything. I have no ill will against him, he just doesn’t do it for me.
Chuck Cushman
2025-01-14 22:52:44 +0000 UTCSo do we think he might return to the ring?
Jonathan V Hedman
2025-01-14 22:34:58 +0000 UTCGive me Graves/Cole any day. Pat is overplayed at this point. He’s been phenomenal in his role and he deserves to be on either remain show. Period.
thaddperkins
2025-01-14 22:33:27 +0000 UTCI liked McAfee when the product was stale and he was the one guy who VKM would let say what he wanted but his schtick has gotten stale with me. I hope they figure something out because Graves deserves some respect from the company.
Bobby “Freakin” Decibel
2025-01-14 22:21:13 +0000 UTCI'll take Corey over McAfee or Booker T every day of the week and twice on Sunday. He's far and away a better announcer than either of them.
Becki Ashford
2025-01-14 22:20:51 +0000 UTCI've heard insults to literally everyone else on commentary for AEW other than Ian so I am shocked to see this opinion.
LostRhino
2025-01-14 22:00:34 +0000 UTCHe's in a tough spot. He might have to just accept it or move on. AEW is filled to the brim with good announcers, TNA doesn't need a third man, New Japan usually has a 2 or 3 person booth with Walker Stewart at the helm. WWE wants 2 men booths. Maybe he could start wrestling again but I don't see anywhere he can go as an announcer. Mexico with his brother, maybe?
Andrew MacDonald
2025-01-14 21:20:52 +0000 UTCWe will see you after backlash Mr. Graves.
Trevor D.
2025-01-14 21:19:01 +0000 UTCCorey's been doing a lot for them. Shifting from Color to Main commentator on Smackdown. If anyone tells me McAfee (who doesn't even watch the product) or Barrett is better than him needs to get their ears checked. Triple Paul is doing exactly what his predisessor did. Hire McAfee. He has a popular show and got Mania and Rumble to come to Indy. Hire him. He's terrible. More of a goofball than serious commentator. Barrett, is better. Should be Graves working with Cole. Just because someone is popular elsewhere, doesn't mean he's good here. Graves is getting the screws put to him hard after he's bent way over backwards for them.
Scott George
2025-01-14 21:15:59 +0000 UTCGet rid of Excalibur on AEW and put Corey Graves in his spot. Excalibur on AEW is so annoying.
Amanda Marie
2025-01-14 21:12:22 +0000 UTCI feel like he was gonna be back after Mania season when Pat left again but it is a rough spot to be in
Brian Moore
2025-01-14 21:07:37 +0000 UTCCm punk basically
Flameducky
2025-01-14 21:05:46 +0000 UTCI don’t blame him for being frustrated. Feels like wwe changes their commentary team every 2 months, and always getting pushed aside for mcafee im sure is irritating
Elaquent
2025-01-14 21:04:13 +0000 UTCIs there any chance he might have shot a pre-tape and left? Hopefully that’s the case.
TJ Dylan
2025-01-14 21:03:59 +0000 UTCIf this is the case, then it sucks for Corey going through this, but I feel like there was a better way for him to handle this.
Dukect
2025-01-14 21:03:04 +0000 UTCI don't understand why they didn't just go with a 3-man team on Smackdown, unless USA requested just Tess and Wade... that being said, Tess and Graves would probably be better than Tess and Wade, no disrespect to Wade... Graves has become the #1 color guy in wrestling, slightly in front of Taz... you're gonna react one way or another when he speaks, which is kinda the point to a color guy, especially in wrestling...
Rob Iapicca
2025-01-14 21:00:53 +0000 UTCI think he pulling a Phil Brooks
Busby
2025-01-14 21:00:16 +0000 UTCHe has to work weekly with Booker T. I would have thrown down my resignation as soon as I got that news.
Forceofwilliam
2025-01-14 21:00:11 +0000 UTCI don't blame him. I think he's pretty good and always gets tossed aside when McAfee has time to do the show.
Scott Payne
2025-01-14 20:58:27 +0000 UTCI’m worried that he could get a reprimand or something, I hope not. He’s great
Javy
2025-01-14 20:57:47 +0000 UTCHe’ll be iight
Lawrence Robinson
2025-01-14 20:56:58 +0000 UTC
