‘Tossed aside’ – Fans show support to dropped WWE favourite as star issues stinging blast at Netflix axe
Popular WWE commentator Corey Graves was axed from Raw for the big debut on Netflix and there aren’t many who seem happy about it. The charismatic wrestler turned broadcaster has been a staple part of WWE broadcasts over the last few years, proving the perfect foil for the legendary Michael Cole and Brit Wade Barrett among others. Corey Graves has been a high-profile host and commentator for WWE over the yearsWWE Graves had wrestled around the world for the better part of 15 years – the final few of those with WWE under their developmental brand NXT. In 2014, a brace of concussions resulted in an enforced retirement for the dynamic figure, his career in the ring cruelly cut short just as WWE managed to unearth a brand new one for him – behind the announce desk. He quickly took to commentary duties with the black and gold brand and went on to work on WWE pay-per-view pre-shows before eventually being elevated to the ‘main roster’ where he’s been ever since. Rotating between Raw and SmackDown and lending his voice to major pay-per-view events, Graves settled into the role perfectly and became a hit with his fans thanks to his emotive and analytical style. Such was his standing within the cluster of commentators within WWE, fans were left shocked when the pairing of Cole and Pat McAfee were confirmed as the duo to make the call on Monday Night Raw going forwards, starting with the high-profile debut episode on Netflix earlier this month. That blow was compounded last Friday when the first SmackDown on Netflix – where it airs outside the US – was hosted by Joe Tessitore and Barrett. Graves did still feature on screens during that week, but back in a decidedly lesser slot on NXT, where he looked less than impressed during last week’s international Netflix airing featuring The Rock as he sat next to Booker T and Vic Joseph at the desk. The 40-year-old confirmed his dissatisfaction in sensational style in the early hours of Tuesday with an almighty blast at WWE who, he hinted, left him feeling ‘not famous enough’ to feature on one of the two flagship shows. Recalling back to his in-ring retirement, Graves wrote on X: “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****** awesome at it. Graves was a wrestler in his own right before being forced to retireWWE The new line-up for NXT featured a disappointed looking GravesWWE/Netflix “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.” Fans immediately jumped to support Graves, one X user commenting: “Your talent is undeniable. Light will come out of the darkness, and you’ll be where you deserve in time. Keep doing what got you this far!” Another echoed: “You’ve been WWE’s best [colour] commentator for years, so it absolutely sucks to for you to be tossed aside for someone who isn’t anywhere near as good.” A third would say: “I am so sorry and missing you already! You so are so damn good. This is heartbreaking.” One fan found a positive, however, adding: “For what it’s worth, NXT doesn’t feel like much of a demotion to me… your voice is the soundtrack of NXT or at least it was and now you’re back. “I hope the kids appreciate you like we do.” The commentary line-ups in WWE have long proved fluid, with Barrett, Cole, McAfee and Graves all switching between the blue and red brand over the last few years. It’s not unthinkable that the latter may yet make a comeback. For now, though, Raw and SmackDown’s loss appears to be NXT’s gain, even if an angry Graves doesn’t appreciate it just yet.
Popular WWE commentator Corey Graves was axed from Raw for the big debut on Netflix and there aren’t many who seem happy about it.
The charismatic wrestler turned broadcaster has been a staple part of WWE broadcasts over the last few years, proving the perfect foil for the legendary Michael Cole and Brit Wade Barrett among others.
Graves had wrestled around the world for the better part of 15 years – the final few of those with WWE under their developmental brand NXT.
In 2014, a brace of concussions resulted in an enforced retirement for the dynamic figure, his career in the ring cruelly cut short just as WWE managed to unearth a brand new one for him – behind the announce desk.
He quickly took to commentary duties with the black and gold brand and went on to work on WWE pay-per-view pre-shows before eventually being elevated to the ‘main roster’ where he’s been ever since.
Rotating between Raw and SmackDown and lending his voice to major pay-per-view events, Graves settled into the role perfectly and became a hit with his fans thanks to his emotive and analytical style.
Such was his standing within the cluster of commentators within WWE, fans were left shocked when the pairing of Cole and Pat McAfee were confirmed as the duo to make the call on Monday Night Raw going forwards, starting with the high-profile debut episode on Netflix earlier this month.
That blow was compounded last Friday when the first SmackDown on Netflix – where it airs outside the US – was hosted by Joe Tessitore and Barrett.
Graves did still feature on screens during that week, but back in a decidedly lesser slot on NXT, where he looked less than impressed during last week’s international Netflix airing featuring The Rock as he sat next to Booker T and Vic Joseph at the desk.
The 40-year-old confirmed his dissatisfaction in sensational style in the early hours of Tuesday with an almighty blast at WWE who, he hinted, left him feeling ‘not famous enough’ to feature on one of the two flagship shows.
Recalling back to his in-ring retirement, Graves wrote on X: “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****** 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.”
Fans immediately jumped to support Graves, one X user commenting: “Your talent is undeniable. Light will come out of the darkness, and you’ll be where you deserve in time. Keep doing what got you this far!”
Another echoed: “You’ve been WWE’s best [colour] commentator for years, so it absolutely sucks to for you to be tossed aside for someone who isn’t anywhere near as good.”
A third would say: “I am so sorry and missing you already! You so are so damn good. This is heartbreaking.”
One fan found a positive, however, adding: “For what it’s worth, NXT doesn’t feel like much of a demotion to me… your voice is the soundtrack of NXT or at least it was and now you’re back.
“I hope the kids appreciate you like we do.”
The commentary line-ups in WWE have long proved fluid, with Barrett, Cole, McAfee and Graves all switching between the blue and red brand over the last few years.
It’s not unthinkable that the latter may yet make a comeback.
For now, though, Raw and SmackDown’s loss appears to be NXT’s gain, even if an angry Graves doesn’t appreciate it just yet.
