The former WWE star Corey Graves showed a lot of promise inside the ring in the little time he spent in the promotion’s televised shows. However, Graves’ WWE career was cut short due to a series of injuries amid his journey to making himself a popular face in the community.
Graves signed with the WWE in 2006 and participated in several dark (untelevised) matches on the now-discontinued WWE branch, Heat. He appeared on NXT in 2012 and had a few exciting matches before calling an unexpected end to his career in 2014 because he had suffered an unhealthy number of concussions.
Graves appeared on the pre-show of NXT TakeOver: R Evolution in December to reveal how a “few concussions” he suffered recently caused “doctors” to suggest that he retire. (via WWE on YouTube)
I’ve had some bad luck and suffered a few concussions recently. So, it’s for that reason that the doctors have suggested that I retire from the ring. So, I’m here to officially announce my in-ring retirement.
However, Graves chose not to distance himself from the WWE even after his in-ring retirement. Triple H and Co. were also kind enough to provide him with a different role in the promotion.
Cory Graves’ New WWE Role After Retiring From Wrestling
Graves had a commendable run in WWE NXT before his career was unfortunately cut short by the series of concussions he suffered in 2014. ‘The Savior of Misbehavior’ also bagged the NXT Tag Team Championship once with Neville during his time as an active in-ring performer.
But Graves didn’t struggle to find his footing in the promotion despite the abrupt ending to his wrestling career. The 41-year-old transitioned to the NXT commentary booth shortly after declaring his retirement and began his second tenure with the WWE as a commentator.
Graves’ sharp and assertive style made him a signature voice for NXT in a couple of years. Subsequently, he was promoted to the role of color commentator, who shared the table with Michael Cole, even for WWE PLEs.
Check out Graves and Cole enjoying pizzas while commentating at Fastlane 2023:
Despite enjoying significant success as a WWE commentator, Graves was agitated by one of Triple H and Co.’s decisions related to him earlier this year. So, let’s look at the reason behind Graves’ annoyance with the WWE.
Corey Graves Expressed Frustration After the WWE Demoted Him
Corey Graves’ remarkable commentary style during his time in NXT facilitated his advancement to the promotion’s main roster shows, Raw and SmackDown, including commentating on WWE PLEs.
However, Triple H and Co. demoted him to NXT in January this year after Pat McAfee returned to the commentary table during the first Raw episode on Netflix on January 6, 2025.
Graves expressed his disgust for the WWE’s decision with a now-deleted X update, which read:
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 fucking 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. (via TimesNow)
Graves returned to the main roster during the June 16 episode of Raw, six months after being removed from his position, which ultimately resulted in Brock Lesnar F5-ing him during the last episode of SmackDown.
WWE commentators, including Michael Cole, have also delivered in-ring showdowns apart from enhancing the experience of events with their voices.
After watching Graves absorbing the F5, do you think he will also re-appear in the ring for a one-time match?
