What is going on with Corey Graves and the WWE commentary team? In a conversation with Logan Paul, Michael Cole attempted to shed some light on the matter.
In January, Graves complained on social media about moving to NXT — WWE’s developmental brand — while the team of Cole and Pat McAfee called WWE Raw with Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett handling SmackDown duties. After Graves returned to NXT commentary, Booker T, one of his commentary partners at NXT, made it known that he didn’t like how Graves handled things. And of course, when things like this happen in WWE, there’s one question that always lingers. Is what we’re seeing and hearing legitimate, or part of a storyline?
Cole theorized that it may be a little bit of both.
“That’s a strange situation,” Cole said. “I love Corey. Love him to death. I still don’t understand all the dynamics of it. I know that he sent something out on social media that was pretty critical of the company. He tried to explain to everyone that he was trying to generate some interest in maybe a type of a storyline. I don’t think the company saw it that way.”
“It was not a work,” Paul interjected. “It was a shoot — allegedly.”
“Allegedly,” Cole confirmed. “And I think him and the company are working that out.”
Michael Cole says the Corey Graves situation was NOT a work, it was a SHOOT.
“That’s a strange situation. He said something on social media that was critical of the company and then tried to explain that he was just trying to generate a storyline.”
THIS IS REALLY INTERESTING 👀 pic.twitter.com/54P8DJxMNA
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) February 18, 2025
While reiterating how much he enjoys working with McAfee, Cole once again praised Graves’ performance as a commentator.
“I love Corey to death,” Cole said. “He’s an unbelievable commentator. Besides McAfee, he’s probably the best commentator I’ve ever had.”

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