Short and to the Point: Corey Graves on ‘SmackDown,’ Carmella, Cody Rhodes, Pat McAfee, and more

Host Jessica Kleinschmidt interviews WWE “Friday Night SmackDown” host Corey Graves. Jessica and Corey discuss a wide range of topics including becoming the host of “Friday Night SmackDown,” Michael Cole and Triple H getting him into WWE commentary, wife Carmella opening up about her miscarriage, working with Pat McAfee, Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, and more.

Here’s the full breakdown.

• 1:33: Welcome Corey Graves to Short and to the Point
• 1:42: Becoming the voice of SmackDown
• 3:04: Comparing preparation for an analyst to a host
• 4:32: Managing the nerves
• 6:11: Being yourself
• 7:28: Being patient with yourself when learning commentary on the fly
• 8:46: Developing a broadcasting style
• 10:25: Tapping into the passion
• 11:21: Lessons from Michael Cole
• 13:13: Injecting drama into broadcasts
• 15:36: Praise from Michael Cole
• 17:48: Characteristics Cole saw in Corey to get him to try commentary
• 19:08: Educating and entertaining the audience as an analyst
• 20:25: Working with Pat McAfee
• 21:27: Relationship with Triple H
• 22:56: How is Triple H on the headset?
• 23:38: Changes in how the media covers pro wrestling
• 26:13: Comparing today’s WWE to the Attitude Era
• 28:26: Walking out as a wrestler compared to as a commentator
• 30:39: Retiring from in-ring wrestling
• 33:18: Being known more as a commentator than as wrestler
• 35:00: Announcing retirement
• 37:11: What would Corey want “broadcaster Corey” to tell “wrestler Corey?”
• 38:08: Carmella’s support of Corey
• 40:45: Being open with discussing relationship
• 44:07: Carmella opening up about her miscarriage
• 45:28: Embracing the fact that both people in a relationship aren’t perfect
• 48:02: Tackling parenthood together with their WWE schedules
• 50:05: Cody Rhodes
• 54:22: Needing to fail in order to succeed

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