Corey Graves Went Off About Being Replaced By Pat McAfee On Raw, And I’m Gonna Need Answers From WWE

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Prior to the premiere of Raw on Netflix, there was much debate over which commentators should be assigned to which programs. The WWE boasts five announcers, varying from strong to exceptional, but the final lineup remained uncertain for some time. Surprisingly, it seems that Corey Graves may not be part of the main crew, as he’s reportedly been shifted to NXT, where he made an appearance last week and will do so again tonight.

Last night, the ex-wrestler turned TV commentator had a conversation with X, expressing that he feels underappreciated for his role, implying that his lack of fame is an issue in his job – this seems to be a jab at Pat McAfee, who just came back from college football broadcasts and was assigned the color commentator position alongside Michael Cole on Raw. Here’s the full tweet from Graves…

Well, if you’ve ever dreamt of living your passion only to be told you can’t physically pursue it anymore, you know the feeling. Instead, I found a path that was just off the beaten track, yet still within sight of my original dream – let’s call it the ‘dream adjacent’. Turned out, I was quite the star in this new field!

But then came the moment when they told me I wasn’t famous enough for my own job. Can you believe that? After all the hard work, dedication, and passion poured into it – just because I didn’t have a household name, my contributions weren’t acknowledged. And here I am, sharing this story with you, hoping it might inspire someone out there who feels overlooked or underestimated. Keep chasing your dreams, even if they lead you down unexpected paths. Your passion and hard work will always shine!

Currently, there seems to be something intriguing about the situation at hand, but let’s first discuss Corey Graves’ performance on the microphone for a moment. Respectfully speaking, Michael Cole is currently delivering his finest work in his long career, but I firmly believe that Graves outshines him as WWE’s best commentator. He’s swift and agile with his words, possessing an extensive yet subtle understanding of wrestling history that he seamlessly weaves into the broadcast without sounding pedantic. Furthermore, he effectively infuses enthusiasm into the broadcast without coming off as arrogant or attention-seeking. It’s hard to imagine Triple H or anyone else not appreciating his talents.

It’s worth noting that the WWE announcing setup has some unique aspects that can make decision-making tricky. Michael Cole, who’s often seen as the voice of WWE, has a strong bond with Pat McAfee. McAfee’s enthusiasm is contagious and it’s helped rekindle Cole’s love for his job. The two have a palpable camaraderie. However, McAfee can only work half the year due to football commitments, leaving him unavailable for the other half. When he recently came back, many assumed Corey Graves would move to SmackDown since he’d been working with Cole. But that didn’t happen as expected.

However, the newly appointed play-by-play commentator Joe Tessitore, known for his outstanding work in college football broadcasts, has developed an excellent rapport with former WWE wrestler turned commentator Wade Barrett. Their interaction is seamless, and Tessitore’s performance continues to improve week by week to the point where I briefly pondered if he might take over the Raw on Netflix role from Michael Cole. Considering Cole’s popularity within WWE, this suggests high praise indeed that I even thought of it momentarily. Consequently, it’s understandable why WWE is cautious about altering their chemistry as they seem to have hit a sweet spot with Tessitore.

Currently, WWE’s top-notch commentator, who has been moving between different partners due to Pat McAfee’s football commitments over the past few years, is absent from both of the company’s main shows. Instead, he spent last week announcing for WWE’s developmental brand NXT, which seemed to make him unhappy. It appears that he will return to NXT tonight. Some WWE journalists claim that the company intends to bring him back to the main roster once McAfee returns for football season, but this promise feels like an insult to me and probably to him as well.

In addition, it’s possible that there could be additional factors at play here beyond what we see on the surface. Previously a wrestler himself, Graves had to retire due to injuries and transitioned to commentary. On the other hand, Pat McAfee has wrestled before. Some spectators are guessing this might lead to an exciting storyline between them, potentially culminating in a match at WrestleMania. This scenario would be a long-cherished wish for Graves, who yearns for another chance to perform on a grand stage. It could also explain why WWE is temporarily keeping its most gifted commentator off the air. Furthermore, it might shed light on Graves’ recent tweet, which seems to straddle the line between truth and entertaining the audience.

It’s no secret that WWE struggles with its commentary, a situation that may have persisted due to the constant turnover in announcers over the years. It’s likely that tensions exist behind the scenes regarding this issue, much like among wrestlers competing for limited screen time during the most significant events. The possibility exists that Graves has been intentionally sidelined, a move that would be frustratingly misguided. However, it could also be part of an upcoming storyline.

It’s possible that Graves could make an appearance at Raw, confront McAfee about taking his job, and even take a few digs at him in the process. Such a storyline would make for an exciting WrestleMania program. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that this is what happens, as the idea of Graves not being part of the show anymore is something I’m not quite ready to accept yet.

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2025-01-14 17:37