Corey Graves, one of the most recognizable voices in WWE, has served as a commentator for both RAW and SmackDown over the years. In January 2024, WWE removed Kevin Patrick, the Irish commentator, from SmackDown after his three-year tenure, leaving Graves as the sole commentator.
Last week WWE officially announced Wade Barret as the color commentator for the upcoming SmackDown, with Graves getting a new role in his commentary team. Recently, the Chief Content Officer of WWE, Triple H, praised Graves and wished him success for his new role.
Triple H lauds Corey Graves on his new role
In recent times, the blue brand of WWE, Smackdown, has undergone a major change in its commentary team. After the removal of Kevin Patrick from WWE, Michael Cole was expected to join the SmackDown team along with Corey Graves.
However, as a surprise, WWE announced the former Intercontinental champion and RAW commentator, Wade Barret as a replacement for Patrick. WWE announced that Wade will be the new color commentator for the SmackDown and Corey will be joining the live show as the lead announcer.
This news came as a surprise for Graves and he expressed his feelings, being promoted as the lead announcer. Today as a reply to Graves’ tweet, Triple H, who is now in charge of WWE’s creative direction, added, “You and @StuBennett were both awesome… congrats! Mountain conquered. #SmackDown.”
Pat McAfee, who made his WWE return at the Royal Rumble match, also extended congratulations to Graves for his new role and wished him best of luck. McAfee has now officially joined the RAW commentary team last week along with Michael Cole.
Graves has been a color commentator for WWE since 2014. He will take on the play-by-play role for the first time in his career. On the other hand, Barrett, who returned to WWE in 2020 as an announcer for NXT and RAW, will continue to provide his insights as the color analyst.
Corey Graves’ commentary career in WWE
For the last 10 years Corey Graves has established himself as a key figure in WWE’s broadcasting and commentary team. However, he started his career as full time wrestler when he signed with NXT in 2011.
Graves was forced to retire in 2014 due to multiple injuries and a severe head concussion. Despites his exit from in ring competition, he found a new role as a color commentator on NXT, alongside Tom Phillips and Byron Saxton.
In 2016, Corey was promoted to the main roster, joining the Raw commentary team and also making appearances on the cruiserweight show, 205 Live. In 2019, he permanently switched to SmackDown as a color commentator and has continued in the blue brand since. He has also won several awards, such as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s Best Television Announcer in 2017 and 2018.
Graves has also contributed to WWE’s commentary on special events, such as the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, and Survivor Series. Being a former wrestler, he changed his passion for the WWE Universe, and has become an integral part of the WWE universe.
