On January 7th, many fans were surprised to see Corey Graves calling the action for New Year’s Evil, marking his return to the NXT commentary desk for the first time since 2017. It was later announced that Graves would be rejoining the NXT team alongside Vic Joseph and Booker T as Pat McAfee was returning to call Monday Night Raw alongside Michael Cole and Joe Tessitore was moving to SmackDown alongside Wade Barrett. This is not the first time WWE has shifted its commentary teams around but it is perhaps the first time the move has gotten so much attention.
Much of that has come from Graves, who a week after his NXT debut, took to social media to criticize his so-called demotion. On Monday, Graves shared his frustration about the move, noting in a since-deleted post, “Imagine chasing your dream. Then being TOLD (not deciding) that you’re no longer physically able to pursue your dream. Then you dedicate your life to something ‘dream adjacent’ and being pretty f***ing awesome at it. And then, when it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, being told you’re not famous enough for your own job. Just in case you’ve wondered where I’ve been.”
Corey Graves then noted, in another deleted post, that he still had a lot to say before encouraging people to tune in to NXT on Tuesday. Shortly after that tweet, it was announced that Graves was being removed from commentary for the night, his future very much uncertain.
People within wrestling have been speculating what Graves’ tweet and subsequent removal could mean. Is it possible it’s a work? There have been rumors of Graves returning to an in-ring career (perhaps for a WrestleMania match against his on-air rival in McAfee…) as he himself confirmed he was medically cleared a few years ago. Or is it a shoot, and he is truly frustrated and working his way out of the company? For what it’s worth or not worth, his brother, wrestler Sam Adonis, tweeted that it’s not a work. But, it wouldn’t be unlike a wrestler, especially one so close to the situation, to lie. Wrestlers lie, it is part of the business, and maybe Adonis is in on it. Or maybe, he’s telling the truth and there is no angle here, just a disgruntled (former?) employee.
Since his tweet, many have come out in support of Graves, while others including former WWE commentator Jonathan Coachman, have advised him to embrace his role and consider himself lucky he has been with the company for so long. Coachman, in his own social media post, noted the legendary Jim Ross was shifted many times, as was Cole, and as was Coachman himself. Bully Ray also weighed in, noting that this shouldn’t be seen as a demotion unless Corey Graves is being given less money to be on NXT.
Kevin Kelly has High Praise for Corey Graves
The most recent former WWE personality to come out in favor of Corey Graves is Kevin Kelly, who himself experienced movement during his WWE career, which spanned about seven years. Kelly was hired to first work on Raw in 1996, where he shared a booth alongside Ross and Cole. He remained with the company in a commentary and interviewer role through 2003. After that point, Kelly has jumped around, serving in roles for MLW, Ring of Honor, AEW, and perhaps most notably in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Kelly’s star has faded a bit of recent and he’s certainly not been shy when its come to speaking out, including a very strong recent attack on his former boss, Tony Khan, referring to him as a “stuttering son of a billionaire.”
In the process, Kelly also tweeted his support for Graves by suggesting “put me and Graves together at the desk. Corey would become the biggest commentary star in wrestling because I would actively try to get him over. Let his star shine.”
Kelly and Graves likely would make a great commentary team and that could be something we see on the independent circuit down the line. But for now, it is unlikely Kelly will start work with another company until his defamation lawsuit against AEW is settled, and Graves’ situation still remains a mystery.
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Stay tuned to the Last Word on Pro Wrestling for more on Corey Graves and other stories from around the world of wrestling, as they develop. You can always count on LWOPW to be on top of the major news in the wrestling world, as well as to provide you with analysis, previews, videos, interviews, and editorials on the wrestling world. You can check out WWE programming on Netflix (Raw), USA Network (SmackDown), CW (NXT), and Peacock (archives and premium live event streaming). You can follow WWE on social media and relive top moments on YouTube.
