Corey Graves recently spent some time on his podcast talking about why he feels the WWE women’s tag-team division doesn’t feel important.

“I don’t mean this as any disrespect to any of the women on RAW or SmackDown that compete for the Women’s Tag Team Championships,” Graves said on the show. “I feel like the lack of legitimate tag teams is what’s killing that division.”

There are a few established teams in WWE but not many. Liv Morgan & Ruby Riott as the Riott Squad, Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose have been teaming up as of late, and Lacey Evans and Peyton Royce have been doing an angle where Royce doesn’t really want to be teaming with Lacey.

“You have people that show up randomly that want a match and now they’re a team,” Graves continued. “You’ve got Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke who are about the closest thing to a legitimate team. You’ve got Nia and Shayna that have grown into that role, but it’s just been a bunch of mashups of two random people competing for the championships and I feel like it’s just never really allowed that division to shine.”

6 teams have held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships across 9 different title reigns.

1. Asuka & Kairi Sane (1x champion) 171 combined days as champions.
2. Sasha Banks & Bayley (2x champions) 145 combined days as champions.
3. Alexa Bliss & Nikki Cross (2x champions) 123 combined days as champions.
4. Billie Kay & Peyton Royce (1x champions) 120 combined days as champions.
5. Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler (2x champions) 119 combined days as champions.
6. Asuka & Charlotte Flair (1x champions) 42 combined days as champions.

WWE commentator and host of After The Bell Corey Graves recently discussed John Cena on the podcast. Cena recently confirmed that he would not be appearing at WrestleMania this year; due to the scheduling conflict with his new Peacemaker show on HBO Max.

“Currently, I’m in Vancouver shooting Peacemaker, the series for HBO Max” Cena recently said to Sports Illustrated. “Given the quarantine regulations, if I were to leave Canada, upon return I would have to quarantine for another two weeks. Essentially, that would shut production down. Strictly based on the letter of the law right now, there is no logistical way I can be there. We film now until July.”

Graves stated on After The Bell that he just doesn’t see Cena not being at WrestleMania. “I don’t buy it,” Graves quipped. “Because it should be John Cena at WrestleMania in some capacity. There’s a lot of truth to what he’s saying, it makes sense, I understand it. But there’s also a guy as recent as the Royal Rumble last year told everybody he’s not coming back under any circumstance. Yeah, Edge, the guy who just won the Royal Rumble did the same thing.”

John Cena’s Status for WrestleMania

Unless John Cena has already pre-taped an angle or match for the show it is unlikely that he will appear. WWE is holding WrestleMania in Raymond James Stadium and as Cena mentioned, he would have to quarantine upon his return to the United States.

If WWE are indeed planning for another Firefly Fun House this year then there is a chance he could make a cameo. It is being rumoured that Randy Orton is set for the match against The Fiend at WrestleMania; and Cena’s feud from last year with Bray Wyatt could play into this, especially as Cena is (in kayfabe) stuck in The Fiend’s world…or something.

• Matt Riddle Wants To Work With WWE Signee Parker Boudreaux

WWE and NBC recently revealed that the WWE Network, at least the United States version, will be moving exclusively to the Peacock streaming service. Corey Graves recently discussed the benefits of the move on his WWE After The Bell podcast.

“It actually saves you money, it’s going to cost less than WWE Network costs right now” Corey Graves began on the podcast. “This is terribly exciting. I actually already subscribe to Peacock and I have for a really long time. I subscribed actually for reasons that have nothing to do with what I knew, or what was advertised on Peacock. It was the Universal horror movies; Dracula, Wolf Man all those classics, like Frankenstein, they were available on Peacock.”

“This is who I think the move benefits the most” Graves continued. “That would be the lapsed fan. The fan who loves WWE, or loved WWE, maybe hasn’t watched for a few years? Maybe doesn’t tune in every Monday or Friday and isn’t quite familiar with the product? But let’s say as you’re going to turn on The Office on Peacock and you see the WWE Network logo pop up. Now maybe a fan who goes ‘oh man I used to really love Goldberg, I used to love Stone Cold,’ you scroll down and you click a button and there’s modern content. Now you can try and bring fans back.”

Corey Graves on Lapsed Fans

Corey Graves finished by reiterating how important it is for WWE to try and engage with lapsed or even new fans. “It’s so easily accessible. I wasn’t looking for The Office, I never watched The Office but I got the app and I got all the the promotion that came with it. I said ‘I heard this show is great, I’m gonna check it out.'”

• Daniel Bryan On When He Plans To Retire

“Now that’s all I’ve watched for basically two months straight. I think this is a great opportunity for lapsed fans who have not followed or maybe they just aren’t as in tune with WWE as they should be. Because let’s be honest, there’s a lot of content, we’re moving really fast” Graves continued. “If you miss two or three weeks? You may have no idea what’s happening. I think it’s all about access it’s all about accessibility. I think it’s very very exciting. And oh, it’s cheaper than it already is. So what’s it’s a win win win.”

Are you excited for WWE to join the NBC Peacock streaming service? Let us know in the comments

WWE commentator Corey Graves’ After The Bell podcast has come back after a short layoff in 2020. Graves had Goldberg appear on the show this week as part of the WWE Royal Rumble build-up.

During the show, Corey Graves would give his picks for the Men’s and Women’s Royal Rumble matches. Going against the more established betting favorites, Graves would say that he sees Bayley and Cesaro winning the Women’s and Men’s matches respectively.

Corey Graves Picks His Rumble Winners

“I’m picking Bayley to win the Women’s Rumble” Corey Graves began on the show. “She’s won the Grand Slam and she’s done everything there is to do in the Women’s division. However, she has yet to win a women’s Royal Rumble match, and for my money Bayley is just firing on all cylinders right now.”

Graves the revealed that he is picking Cesaro to win the Rumble match and go on to face Drew McIntyre at WrestleMania. “And for the men’s side of things? I’m gonna throw a dark horse at you. It’s no secret, I have advocated for him on this podcast for many moons. I think, finally? The stars have aligned and he is functioning at a high enough level. I think Cesaro shocks everybody and wins the Royal Rumble. And I’m going to do you one better. Not only is Cesaro winning the men’s Royal Rumble match? Cesaro then challenges Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.”

• Goldberg Agrees With The Undertaker, Says WWE Today Is ‘Soft’

The chances of Bayley winning the Women’s Rumble are arguably far higher than Cesaro taking the Men’s. Whilst SmackDown has done a very good job week to week this year building more stars? For Cesaro to win and defeat the likes of Brock Lesnar (potentially), Daniel Bryan, Goldberg (potentially) and Big E would be a real shock, but a welcome shock.

Do you agree with Corey Graves? Do you think that Bayley and Cesaro have a shot at winning the matches this Sunday? Let us know in the comments

WWE Commentator Corey Graves recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. The former Sterling James Keenan discussed a number of topics during his time on the show. These would include Roman Reigns’ run at the top of SmackDown, working commentary during the pandemic and his After The Bell podcast.

Corey Graves on Fans

“There have been some hiccups along the way” Corey Graves began, discussing how the After The Bell podcast has evolved over the past few months. “I was the first WWE podcast before anyone kind of realized that the podcast network was going to take off. [That was] before we knew we were going to have a litany of podcasts and all the content available on WWE network.”

“So it’s been a growing process and I was sort of the guinea pig” Graves continued. “But for me personally? It was something else to kind of learn and test myself and my ability to do. It’s difficult to interview somebody if you don’t know what you’re doing! And I really had no experience as far as doing an actual interview. Doing commentary at ringside isn’t exactly the same, but [I wanted] to be able to keep the conversation moving and try not to get lulled into the doldrums of the minutiae of the people’s business.”

• Aleister Black Update After Several Weeks Off WWE TV

Corey Graves would then describe how he doesn’t want After The Bell to be about people’s personal lives and gossip. “From time to time? I’ll bring up the gossip, or a hot rumor and let people either confirm or deny it. But that’s not…that’s not my prerogative. I know there’s a place [for that] and a lot of fans like dirt sheets and behind the scenes stuff. That’s their prerogative and that’s cool and I have a lot of respect for that. But, that’s not what I wanted on the podcast.”

Corey Graves himself has of course had his own fair share of personal gossip spread online. So it is understandable if he wants to keep this out of his own podcast.

Do you listen to Corey Grave’s After The Bell podcast? Let us know in the comments

WWE Commentator Corey Graves recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. The former Sterling James Keenan discussed a number of topics during his time on the show. These would include Roman Reigns’ run at the top of SmackDown, working commentary during the pandemic and Drew McIntyre’s rise to the main event of RAW.

Corey Graves would state that Roman Reigns’ recent heel turn has the perfect amount of reality embedded into the storyline. “I think it’s the perfect example of when you bring the right amount of reality into the sports entertainment business. If you just capture it? It can be magic.”

Corey Graves on Roman Reigns

Graves would then confirm that Roman’s recent change in on-screen character is actually far more in tune with the man himself. “This is kind of interesting to a lot of guys that know Roman. Because this isn’t a ‘new’ character. This IS Roman Reigns. This is the guy that we’ve all known and loved…or despised, for years.”

“Roman believes this stuff that he says” Corey would continue. “Roman knows that he is the guy keeping SmackDown ahead of the pack right now. I genuinely enjoy the hell out of it, because I have the utmost respect for the entire Anoa’i family.”

Graves would finish by saying that the Anoa’i/extended Samoan family have been a major part of his career. “They’ve actually helped me out personally in my career. One of my first big break internationally was with Rikishi’s company over in Europe. When I first broke in Pittsburgh? Samu Anoa’i helped me. So I’ve had a lot of fun, a lot of time with the family and got to know everybody.”

• Paul Heyman: ‘Timing Was Never Right’ To Turn Roman Reigns Heel Until Now

Corey Graves would finish by praising the storyline due to the reality based beats of the Roman/Jey Uso ‘feud’ thus far. “To see that kind of play out on screen and for the whole world to get to know that legacy is legitimate? [It’s great] knowing it’s not some storyline that was drawn up in a writers room.”

Do you agree with Corey Graves? Do you think that Jey Uso will get his time to shine once again and main event against Roman Reigns? Let us know in the comments

WWE Commentator Corey Graves recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. The former Sterling James Keenan discussed a number of topics during his time on the show. These would include Roman Reigns’ run at the top of SmackDown, working commentary during the pandemic and Drew McIntyre’s rise to the main event of RAW.

“Drew entered in an unwinnable situation here” Graves began on the show, saying how McIntyre’s WrestleMania win and subsequent Championship run has panned out due to the pandemic ‘era.’ “Think of the year that guy’s had. Winning the Royal Rumble with 40,000 people in attendance? Then here comes the pinnacle moment of his career, if not his life? You’re going to headline WrestleMania for the WWE Championship, it literally does not get any bigger than that.”

Corey Graves on Drew McIntyre

“And to have that taken away? And just kind of stay the course?” Corey Graves continued. “Drew to his credit realized these are unusual circumstances, these are strange times. But we needed somebody that you can hitch the wagon to. Drew McIntyre has worked his a** off.”

Corey Graves would also give credit to Randy Orton for the feud over the summer between he and the Scottish warrior. “Also hats off to Randy, who for whatever reason, all these years later? Just decided to have maybe the best year of his career in the ring. The two of those guys man have been absolute magic all summer long.”

Graves would finish by saying that he believes McIntyre will get his opportunity to have another major moment in front of a live crowd. “I truly believe that when the world returns to normal? Whenever that may be, that MacIntyre will have his chance.”

• The Undertaker Bids His Final Farewell At WWE Survivor Series

“I can’t wait to hear the fans show their appreciation, because I think this is one of those rare instances where, whether you like it or you don’t? Everyone kind of looked at this and goes ‘well, this is 2020, the world is upside down.’ And I think people will actually very much appreciate what Drew was able to do during his tenure as Champion.”

Have you enjoyed Drew McIntyre’s runs as WWE Champion this year? Let us know in the comments

WWE Commentator Corey Graves recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Busted Open Radio. The former Sterling James Keenan discussed a number of topics during his time on the show. These would include Roman Reigns’ run at the top of SmackDown, working commentary during the pandemic and Drew McIntyre’s rise to the main event of RAW.

Discussing working commentary during the COVID-19 pandemic, Graves would say “at first it was jarring. It was really bad. We were in the Performance Center for the first few months of the pandemic. Just like the talent? We feed off of the crowd in a different way, more so for our tone and when we need to push the excitement and accentuate certain moments. We as commentators feed off the crowd as well.”

“So to have that completely gone? We become just narrators” Corey Graves would continue. “We’re just telling the story that’s supposed to be told. [That’s] without the variable that is the WWE Universe, or a live crowd, that can sway things and change things and even turn things completely around. So to have that sterile environment? It was very jarring at first.”

Corey Graves would then discuss how much of a change the ThunderDome setting has made to WWE programming. WWE will be leaving Amway Center for Tampa’s Tropicana Field in December, it is not yet known how the ThunderDome will change in its presentation. “Now that we have the ThunderDome? We actually have some crowd noise piped into our headsets for Cole and I. So we kind of know when we need to exaggerate or speak up or slow down. It’s not perfect.”

• The Undertaker Bids His Final Farewell At WWE Survivor Series

Graves would finish by saying how WWE’s ThunderDome concept has been groundbreaking and on par with anything else in entertainment. “I think with the ThunderDome? We’ve taken some amazing steps and it is truly state of the art. As far as live entertainment goes around the globe? I challenge you to find anybody doing better than what WWE is doing right now. But, there is no valid replacement for live fans.”

Do you agree with Corey Graves? Do you think that the ThunderDome is at the pinnacle of television production right now? Let us know in the comments

WWE SmackDown announcer Corey Graves recently discussed the WWE Draft. The Draft took place just over a week ago and saw some of WWE’s biggest Superstars make the move to either to Blue or Red brand.

On the WWE After The Bell Podcast, Corey Graves would outline some of the moves that he was and wasn’t happy about from the Draft.

Corey Graves on The WWE Draft

“Off the top my head? I’m bummed to see The Fiend and all the madness that follows him head to Monday Night Raw” Corey Graves began on the podcast. “But of course it makes for some fresh new matchups.”

Graves would then make a prediction about a major angle for The Fiend Bray Wyatt on RAW. Corey made it clear that he wants one of the commentary team on RAW to leave the desk and get back in the ring.

“I’m putting it out in the universe, here first on After The Bell. I want Samoa Joe to get out from behind the commentary table and fight The Fiend. There’s my big bold prediction. Maybe it’ll happen by the end of 2020? I have a bad habit of making it worse.”

• WWE Hell In A Cell Results: New Champions Crowned, Roman Reigns vs. Jey Uso

Corey Graves would also lament the loss of AJ Styles from Friday nights, but also discuss the move of Seth Rollins to FOX Network. “AJ Styles also headed back to Monday nights…but my man, one of my favourites, one of my closest friends Seth Rollins has arrived on Friday night SmackDown, to bring the greater good, your way. Keep your eyes peeled, I’m sure it’s gonna be gud as Booker T so often says.”

Would you like to see The Fiend vs Samoa Joe? Do you think that AJ Styles will work on RAW and Seth Rollins will be a major asset for SmackDown? Let us know in the comments

It has been just over 6 years since Corey Graves wrestled a match. He was forced to retire due to concussions in 2014. The 36-year-old has since become a commentator on the main roster currently assigned to Smackdown. Graves also hosts the After the Bell podcast and this week his guest was Edge.

During the podcast this week, Graves noted that Edge’s recent return to the ring after 9 years had him thinking about possibly making his own in-ring comeback. Graves made the comments when talking about the documentary on Edge currently on the WWE Network.

“Watching it, honestly man it was inspiring,” Graves said of the documentary. “I would say at 2 or 3 different points I went ‘man, I live in Pittsburgh now, I should go find Dr. Maroon.’ It just gave me that urge to do all this all over again and I don’t know whether or not that’s a possibility but the thought was planted in my brain for quite some time.”

Graves is a former NXT tag team champion. He and Neville/PAC won the titles. They were the 3rd team to win the belts. PAC and Graves defeated Luke Harper and Erick Rowan for the belts.

• Corey Graves On What’s It Like Calling Carmella’s Matches

WWE legend John Cena recently appeared on Corey Graves’ After The Bell podcast. The 15-time World/WWE Champion appeared on the show to discuss the current ‘state’ of sports entertainment and what Cena believes the company needs to move forward.

Starting the interview, Graves would ask Cena what WWE needs to do to usher in a new ‘era,’ akin to how the Ruthless Aggression or PG Eras were created.

John Cena on ‘Eras’

“It needs what I’m not sure it [WWE] can produce,” John Cena began. “And that’s just the state of where everything is now. Which is weird because it kind of always corrects itself. So we’re in a day and age where WWE needs a frontman.”

Over the past couple of years WWE has been pushing for the ‘brand’ to be the attraction, and not the individual. This counteracts decades past, where the likes of Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and Brock Lesnar were positioned as the ‘top dog’ of the company. This is something that Cena addresses, he says that an ‘era’ is defined by the main star in the company.

“Even if they liked the guy last week. They say ‘f*ck you, you’re not going to tell me who I like!”

– John Cena

“That’s how we’ll be able to define what the era is,” Cena revealed. “Because it takes on those personality traits of its top star, like I’ve said before…I don’t know, if all things considered? The crowd is so mixed, that if the company puts its faith behind an individual, the knee jerk reaction of the audience? Even if they liked the guy last week? Is to say ‘f*ck you, you’re not going to tell me who I like!’ So the audience is also tipping the scales of this not being able to happen.”

Universal Popularity

John Cena finished by discussing the idea of ‘universal popularity,’ saying how he believes it will never happen again due to the state of the industry. “Universal popularity will never happen. Because someone [in WWE] will see it and get onto it and be like, ‘he seems to be getting popular, let’s stop this right now.’ Or ‘she seems to be getting popular, let’s change this right now.’ And I’ve seen it happen with guys who are really like darlings of that underground crew. They make it, and then as soon as they make it the rug is pulled out from them.”

John Cena is definitely the right person to talk about this issue. As it’s arguable that the ‘polarising’ top babyface was perfected by Cena during his run over the past 10-15 years.

Do you think that WWE needs to create another top person to build the company around? Let us know in the comments

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Corey Graves talked about calling her girlfriend Carmella’s matches when she appeared on his After the Bell podcast along with Otis.

Graves said that he feels weird calling Carmella’s matches on SmackDown Live.

“I was having discussions with the young lady behind the counter about what it’s like to call your matches, which is very strange to me because the members of the WWE Universe who watch Total Divas and follow us on social media know about our personal life to an extent, but the vast majority of the people who watch SmackDown, probably don’t exactly know,” Corey Graves said.

He also added that he wants to cheer for Carmella but it wouldn’t make much sense as he has more of a heel persona and Carmella is a face right now.

“Also, you are more of a good guy these days, whereas I tend to lean toward the villainous side, so there’s a really weird dichotomy, and I want to go, ‘Oh I want to cheer for her, but it doesn’t make sense if I cheer for her,” Corey Graves explained.

Corey Graves and Carmella started dating in 2019, and their relationship has been profiled on Total Divas too. The relationship was full of controversies as Graves’ wife made a post on Instagram in early 2019 accusing both him for cheating on her. She soon deleted her post, but it had become a hot topic online.

Both Carmella and Corey Graves denied the allegations, as it was later revealed that Graves was actually in the process of divorce with his wife for around six months and that he had been living in a different home.

Read More: Carmella Reveals She Received Death Threats After She Was Accused Of Breaking Up Corey Graves’ Marriage

Despite all of this, Carmella and Corey Graves continue to be a strong couple and have appeared on WWE shows like Total Divas and The Bump.

Quotes used above transcribed by Sportkeeda.

WWE Superstar Carmella recently appeared on the After The Bell podcast alongside her partner and host Corey Graves. During the interview on the show Graves asked Carmella about her upcoming Championship match against Bayley. The match will be taking place next Friday on SmackDown for the brand’s Women’s Title.

“I didn’t know what the hell I was doing”

“I mean Bayley and I’ve only had one match against each other” Carmella began. “That was in NXT and that was for the [NXT Women’s] title. I had only been wrestling at the time for…it was probably less than two years. I didn’t know what the hell I was doing, not that I know any more now, but to know where we’re at now?”

“it’s gonna happen on Friday, which I just found out last night!”

Carmella elaborated further, saying “I have been a Champion. I’ve been, you know, Miss Money In The Bank. I’ve done so many things in my career. So, I don’t know, I’m just excited for this opportunity and apparently it’s gonna happen on Friday, which I just found out last night! So, I’m ready. I’m excited, and I’m [going to be] ready to go in time for Smackdown.”

“I was hopefully waiting for a bigger stage” – Carmella

Graves then revealed that Carmella had legitimately not been told about the match until it was confirmed earlier that week. “I was like ‘what the hell!?’ Carmella revealed. “I had no idea that was gonna be this soon. I was hopefully waiting for a bigger stage. Maybe a pay per view? Maybe Super Showdown, maybe WrestleMania? I don’t know, and now it’s gonna be this Friday but I’m really ready for it.”

Do you think that there’s a chance Carmella wins the Championship on Friday? Let us know in the comments

Corey Graves says WWE television is so bad that lately it makes him physically angry. On the latest episode of WWE’s After the Bell podcast, Graves ripped in to the romantic storyline involving Rusev, Lana, Bobby Lashley and Liv Morgan. He feels the performers are giving their best effort, but fans in the arena are silent and apathetic.

Graves began this week’s podcast by stating, “last night I wasted three hours of my life enduring what was an insufferable television show. RAW was not all bad, but it left me with a really bad taste in my mouth.”

He continued, “I watch Monday Night RAW from a very different perspective now. For many years I called every minute of the action and I was kind of stuck in the ‘bubble.’ Whereas now I’m sitting on my couch in Pittsburgh, next to my girlfriend and my dog trying to enjoy Monday Night RAW as a fan. I don’t watch it to pick it apart. Obviously I watch it to talk about things here on After The Bell, because that’s what I get paid to do. But man oh man last night was tough.”

“The entire crowd was silent” – Corey Graves

Corey Graves elaborated further, saying “RAW physically made me angry. I tweeted something to the effect. What really set me off, was the Lana, Rusev and Bobby Lashley segment.”

Graves says it’s not the fault of the talent, who do their best with the material they are provided.

“This is not their fault,” said Graves. “But the shows, as a whole, have just been lacking. And this segment has really set me off. Because I noticed they went to a wide shot; in the middle of a match in this heated rivalry, that has been brewing for months and months in a small eternity. And the entire crowd was silent.”

“It was Complete Apathy”

Corey Graves then began to describe just how much of an inditement this was on the angle itself. “Nobody was moving, nobody was clapping. It was complete apathy, which in this business is the worst thing you can have. You can be cheered, you can be booed sure not everything works. But to have an entire arena full of people, not reacting to anything that was happening is a problem. That’s what piqued my attention. And then it got worse for weeks and weeks and weeks.”

Graves feels that Liv Morgan has been hurt more than she’s been helped by getting involved in this fledgling angle.

“You have been promoting Liv Morgan, and this return. Liv Morgan, who I’ve said on this show in my opinion is a star waiting to be born. She has unusual reveal in the Lana/Lashley wedding which everyone had an opinion on right, wrong or indifferent. Tell me why anyone in the WWE Universe should care about Liv Morgan now?”

It will be interesting to see how the storyline develops going forward. As as been reported recently; Vince McMahon himself has been a huge proponent of the angle. So it likely is not going away any time soon. It is also worth pointing out that the angle has been drawing huge numbers on YouTube over the last few weeks.

Listen to the latest WWE After the Bell Podcast in the embedded player below:

WWE commentator Renee Young recently made some interesting comments during Corey Graves‘ After The Bell podcast. Renee was the first ever full time Women’s commentator on WWE programming back in 2019. The podcast show is part of WWE’s official podcast lineup in conjunction with Endeavour audio.

During Young’s interview with Graves he mentioned how she was now back in her ‘wheelhouse’ with her new role as the host of WWE Backstage on FS1.

“You know what, this is so simple,” said Young. “I think that I do best when I’m allowed to laugh at stuff and make things fun. I felt like I was not really able to do that as much on commentary. So to be back in a studio setting and just talk about wrestling as a fan. That’s something that couldn’t come across when I was on commentary. Now I can shoot the sh*t with Booker [T], we’ve got Paige on there, we’ve got Punk. I like to be able to talk not in soundbytes. That’s really the thing here.”

Renee Young “truly just being [herself] with no filter”

Renee then discussed how she found it difficult to adapt to the commentary booth on Monday nights. “I come from being on camera far more than just doing audio stuff. And even just sitting calling a match and trying to find the right spots to get in…and also just trying to ‘be myself,’ whatever that meant in that capacity. I feel like now doing [WWE] Backstage I am truly just being myself with no filter, no being ‘produced’ and whatnot. That makes me very happy.”

Second-Guessing Herself

Renee Young also added that she has her confidence back and is no longer second guessing herself. “When the commentary thing came up I was like ‘hell yeah I’ll try it.’ I think that I could find a way to try and make something work. But it’s definitely nice to not have to second guess myself anymore. I felt like I was second guessing myself on commentary all the time. Now I’m just like ‘cool I know what I’m doing.’ My confidence is back up at 100, it’s a world of difference.”

Renee Young co-hossts WWE Backstage Tuesday nights on Fox Sports 1.

WWE commentator Corey Graves recently made some interesting comments about Jon Moxley on the latest episode of WWE’s After The Bell podcast. The show is part of WWE’s official podcast lineup in conjunction with Endeavour audio.

“I respect the hell out of what Jon Moxley is doing”

Graves was answering mailbag questions at the start of the show and one of the bigger questions posed to the SmackDown commentator surrounded former WWE Superstar Jon Moxley/Dean Ambrose.

“‘Do I believe that Jon Moxley/Dean Ambrose will return to WWE?’ I hope so” Graves began, “I respect the hell out of what Jon’s doing, he’s happy. I still keep in touch with him, even though that is ‘against all the rules.’ This is all part of his journey, but ultimately I think that the Lunatic Fringe needs to come back home at some point in the future.”

Moxley challenges Lance Archer for the IWGP United States Championship this weekend as part of New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 14 event.

• Lance Archer Warns Jon Moxley Ahead Of Wrestle Kingdom 14

WrestleMania Main Event

The main event of WrestleMania 36 was another topic discussed during the Q&A portion of the podcast. When asked who he thinks will headline the show, Graves gave an interesting pick that might surprise people.

“My prediction for the main event of WrestleMania this year. The Universal Championship [will be] on the line…The Fiend, the reigning champion will defend against…Big E from The New Day.”

This is not the first time Corey Graves has pushed for Big E to get a run as a main event singles star. In fact, regular listeners of the show know that Graves has been touting Big E as a potential breakout member of the New Day faction.

“I’ve said it here on After The Bell, it’s about damn time for Big E to get his just do and have his opportunity at a big time singles run,” said Graves. “I think that Big E versus The Fiend under the bright lights of Tampa, Florida would be truly memorable.”

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair agrees with Corey Graves’ belief that WWE is dropping the ball with his daughter Charlotte.

Earlier this month, Graves commented on the situation on WWE’s After The Bell podcast. He believes Charlotte is “going through the motions” because she is disengaged with WWE’s lackluster storytelling.

Ric Flair’s Agreement

Ric Flair was a recent guest on the WINCLY podcast. When asked about Graves’ remarks about Charlotte, he did not pull any punches.

“I am not happy with the way [WWE] are doing it; I guess she’s been put in that role. Number one, I need to be left out of the equation because she has surpassed me in talent,” admitted Flair. 

“She’s never gonna be around for 40 years which is why I’m still a household name. I think they look at it and say, ‘Well, she’s like her dad. She’ll do anything we want her to do because she’s a pro.’

Ric Flair continued by noting that he doesn’t think she’ll ever be bored with her storylines and not participate at its fullest, which he thinks where Graves is wrong. 

He did also agree that Flair is the best athlete in the company, a Hall of Famer already and being the biggest star of the women’s division.

As of late, Flair has been paired with RAW Women’s Champion Becky Lynch on television in a feud with WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Asuka and Kairi Sane. 

• Corey Graves Says Charlotte Flair Is Not Feeling Her Current Storyline, Flair Responds

WWE commentator and ‘After The Bell’ podcast host Corey Graves recently made some interesting comments with regards to rematches on WWE television.

“Rematched To Death”

In the opening segment of this week’s show Graves stated that “as far as the WWE landscape is concerned I am re matched to death, I tell you. What I mean it seems like week after week after week on RAW and SmackDown we see rematches ad nauseam.” Graves then elaborated further, saying that it isn’t the quality of performer in WWE that he has an issue with: “don’t get me wrong I’m not tired of seeing any of these superstars. But I am tired of seeing the same matches over and over and over again.”

“how many times in the past few months have we seen that match?” – Corey Graves

“Just off the top of my head we’ve seen the Viking Raiders, who I’m a huge fan of. And the OC, who I’m also a huge fan of. How many times in the past few months have we seen that match?” Corey Graves stated. “We saw it again at TLC. I went on Twitter two weeks ago to praise Humberto Carrillo vs Andrade because it was awesome. I am all for seeing more of it but that doesn’t mean in successive weeks. We saw it again on the TLC kickoff show. Yes it was awesome again and it appears after what went down on Monday Night RAW this week we’re going to see it AGAIN. Give me a little space I mean why do we need rematches all the time? Why can’t somebody just win and somebody just lose and move on?”

“We have so many superstars waiting to break out” – Corey Graves

Corey Graves also mentioned how the WWE roster is stacked and the potential for fresh match ups is at an all time high. “We have got a lot of talent on all of our rosters. We have so many superstars waiting to break out, waiting to shine and sometimes that can happen with different opponents.”

Corey Graves also mentioned the ‘automatic’ title rematches that have plagued WWE over the past couple of years. “We got rid of the automatic title rematches last year sometime. I get that you don’t necessarily need to headline to pay per views with the same match up. But why does not apply to the rest of the main roster shows?”

You can check out the latest episode of After The Bell here.

WWE broadcaster Corey Graves has sharply criticized WWE’s booking of the women’s division on the After The Bell podcast.

Last week, Graves made some interesting comments regarding Charlotte Flair. The SmackDown commentator said he “wanted the queen back” and noted that she wasn’t a prominent figure in current WWE storylines.

Expounding on that point, Corey Graves says both WWE’s Women’s divisions need to be reevaluated, not just Charlotte Flair’s role.

Graves: “Bigger Than Just Charlotte Flair”

“I think it’s bigger than just Charlotte Flair, what my opinion was last week,” Graves began. “I got a lot of feedback on Twitter regarding that [Charlotte] statement, some positive, some negative but there were a lot of valid points. People would say well what about Asuka, what about this person, what about that person and I don’t disagree with you.”

Biggest Year in WWE Women’s Wrestling?

Graves elaborated further, saying “I think after twenty eighteen to twenty nineteen obviously the women headlined at WrestleMania. I think it can be argued this was the biggest year in WWE history as far as women’s wrestling. The women’s evolution, whatever you want to refer to it as, it was a big year. The women were getting the opportunity to showcase what they could do and each and every time an opportunity was provided without fail they knocked out of the park. I don’t know what the reasoning is, but Raw, SmackDown, everywhere except NXT. NXT’s women’s division to me is still on fire but not on Raw and SmackDown.”

He was also quick to point out that this was not a dig at the Women in the company, just how they are being positioned currently. He mentioned Asuka as somebody that WWE simply can’t book in a consistent manner.

“This has nothing to do with the ability of the women,” Graves said. “We have the most talented group of women on the planet earth, this is not a negative against their abilities or their desire. I don’t know what the fix is but looking up and down the roster as I mentioned before Asuka. Remember when she dominated NXT? When she arrived in WWE and won the Royal Rumble match? Went to WrestleMania against Charlotte Flair (one of my favorite matches that entire year)? Yes she’s the Women’s tag team champion right now with Kairi Sane saying but before Asuka just kicked everybody’s ***, now she can’t win a match without the dreaded poison mist.”

Liv Morgan, Ruby Riott Carmella and Bayley

Corey Graves also mentioned both Liv Morgan and his partner, Carmella. “I don’t know in looking elsewhere on the roster, I mean you’ve got Liv Morgan. Who as of this past Monday apparently, is finally coming back. I think that Liv is a star waiting to be born. Ruby Riott hopefully comes back from injury soon.”

He continued, “I’m sure I’m missing a whole ton of names. Of course I’m partial, but when’s the last time Carmella did anything of substance on television? The former SmackDown women’s champion Bayley in this new iteration of herself, again nothing against the talent but it doesn’t feel important.”

Speaking on WWE’s podcast, After The Bell, host Corey Graves shared his thoughts on “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt’s customized Universal Championship. Although initially positive with his praise, the SmackDown announcer soon expressed his dislike of customized championships in general.

“It’s cool. I think it’s very very cool,” he stated of Wyatt’s belt. “I am a big fan of Tom Savini, one of the greatest special effects artists to ever work in the motion picture industry. I think it’s cool that our worlds have collided. The championship in and of itself is very cool, visually. But I have a problem with these customized championships. I always have.” 

He continued, “I hated when Stone Cold had the Smoking Skull belt. It looked cool, but all of a sudden, the WWE Championship and all of its history is customized to one guy. I didn’t have a problem with the blue Universal Championship because it made sense, it still looks like the WWE Championship. I didn’t hate when Ultimate Warrior would change the strap on his WWE Championship. But all of a sudden, The Fiend is going to defend a title that is just his face? I’m not a huge fan of it.”

Graves explained that he feels personalized championships actually devalue the championship itself as a whole. He argued how each belt has a distinct lineage and history. For him, that history is cheapened by changing the design of the belt to custom fit a particular Superstar for a finite amount of time.  

H/T to Fightful for the transcription.

Corey Graves has been enjoying the freedom he has been given with WWE’s new After The Bell podcast where the former NXT star has been very vocal about his thoughts on the current WWE programming.

An example of this was seen during the latest episode of the show where Graves talked about the ongoing storyline between Charlotte Flair and the Kabuki Warriors.

The SmackDown commentator made some bold claims about this rivalry, saying that Charlotte has never felt less important than she does right now. He then went on to elaborate that Flair is highly talented and said that he misses her queen:

“Charlotte Flair has never felt less important than she does right now. This whole tag team thing with Charlotte finding a different partner week after week. It just doesn’t click. I am not feeling it and it looks to me that Charlotte is not feeling it.

Charlotte Flair carried the main event of WrestleMania this year because she is a pro. She is highly talented and when she is motivated, dare I say untouchable. I miss the queen, my queen. The villainous that just kicked everybody’s a** because she was superior. I want my queen back.”

Interestingly, the Queen herself responded to these comments from Corey Graves and she claimed that the Savior of Misbehavior is not entirely wrong:

Charlotte Flair has recently been involved in a storyline with the Kabuki Warriors and reports suggest that she will be teaming up with Becky Lynch to challenge the current Women’s Tag Team Champions for their title at the upcoming TLC PPV.

What do you think about Corey Graves’ comments and Charlotte’s response? Let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section below.

WWE SmackDown announcer Corey Graves has featured frequently throughout the most recent series of Total Divas. Reflecting on the experience of sharing his relationship with Carmella while having film crews follow them around, Graves confessed: “it’s not something I was looking to make a habit out of.”

Speaking on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, Graves explained that “It was kind of an accidental occurrence in the first place. It was really wild because they say, ‘oh, be yourself.’ But I can’t be myself when there are cameras there all the time because that is how you end up in jail.”

He continued, “It wasn’t something that I had planned, but it was a lot of fun. The crew we worked with was a lot of fun. They took us out and put us in some pretty fun situations. I didn’t hate it. I have not watched it back yet as it was a pretty dark and bizarre place in my life, so it is what it is. It’s weird, the social media response to it has been unanimously positive, which is weird. That makes it uncomfortable for me. I’m not used to people being nice on social media.”

Graves recently made negative comments over NXT commentator Mauro Ranallo’s output during NXT TakeOver: WarGames. Ranallo would subsequently delete his Twitter account. Graves has since apologized.

H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T has shared his thoughts on the recent situation following Corey Graves comments aimed at Mauro Ranallo during NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

Speaking on his show, Reality of Wrestling, Booker T explained how people can’t just share unfiltered opinions and expect them to be immediately forgiven or forgotten.

“You can’t be just saying anything in 2019 and expect for it to be swept under the rug,” he said. “I really don’t know what happened. I know Corey Graves put out an apology to Mauro. I don’t know what really sparked it or what is really going on behind the scenes.”

Booker T then paid respect to Ranallo. He noted how hard he works to do the best he can as an NXT commentator and WWE employee. He shared how he always hatted getting ribbed in the past, often calling people out for fights if he found out he was responsible.

“Big ups to everything you do because I know how hard you work. The angle thing, back in the day, I hated getting ribbed. If they ribbed me, no one would tell me whoever did it. I would always say, ‘You can rib me if you want, but if I find out who did it, you’re gonna be in a fight. Just letting you know.’ Don’t play with me like that, because I’m not to be played with. Shoutout to Mauro, get yourself together, get back on the horse. Get your ass back to work, bro.”

In case you missed it, Graves made some disparaging comments about Ranallo’s vocal contribution to TakeOver. He suggested that Ranallo was talking all over his teammates Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuiness. Ranallo would delete his Twitter following Graves’ remarks.

H/T to Wrestlezone for the transcription.

Corey Graves has had quite a year. The WWE broadcaster has made headlines for some controversial situations, including his relationship with WWE Superstar Carmela and his recent comments on social media about NXT announcer Mauro Ranallo.

During NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Corey Graves made some comments about NXT commentator Mauro Ranallo that made him deactivate his Twitter account.

The issue attracted negative press and backlash for Graves. He took to Twitter to reflect on this year and revealed how it has been the toughest for him.

He wrote, “In 35 years, this year was no doubt the toughest. But, it taught me to THINK. I’m going to *uck up. I’m going to be wrong. I’m going to disappoint. I’m not perfect. I’m thankful for learning to embrace my flaws, and learn from them. I’m thankful for those who know me.”

Corey Graves & Mauro Ranallo

Graves was critical of Mauro Ranallo’s commentary and subtweeted about him saying that Ranallo isn’t giving a chance to Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuiness, who were at the commentary booth with him, a chance to provide their thoughts on the action.

He wrote, “Just for the record guys, I know you wouldn’t know it, but there’s actually a WWE Hall of Famer AND a former Ring of Honor Champion on commentary. I’d imagine they have a lot to offer.”

This led to Ranallo deactivating his account and garnered Graves headlines for his criticizing comments.

Ranallo then was also missing from the Survivor Series PPV, and Michael Cole explained that during the previous night’s TakeOver event Ranallo blew his voice out and was therefore unable to provide the kind of commentary NXT has become known for.

Graves addressed the issue on his After the Bell podcast and apologized. You can read the apology here.

For what it’s worth, Pro Wrestling Sheet (run by Ryan Satin, who appears on WWE Backstage) says that Graves’ tweets were planned as part of the brand warfare storyline taking place over Survivor Series weekend.

Mauro Ranallo is a mental health advocate who lives with bipolar disorder. Ranallo left the SmackDown for NXT after a much-publicized conflict with WWE which likely had to do with criticisms from JBL directed at him. Ranallo denies this, however.

In an update to the ongoing story involving Mauro Ranallo and Corey Graves, it is now being reported that Graves’ Tweets had been planned as part of the ongoing brand warfare storyline taking place over Survivor Series weekend.

According to a report from Pro Wrestling Sheet, Graves’ Tweets were to be brought up by his commentary partners during Survivor Series.

“According to sources, Corey wrote those tweets to play into the brand warfare element of Survivor Series and the SmackDown announcer planned to bring them up on commentary in a joking manner when he was joined by Mauro at the desk the following day,” wrote Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet and FS1’s WWE Backstage.

Ranallo did not work the Survivor Series event and is not expected to be at the commentary desk for tonight’s NXT either.

Corey Graves commented on the matter on his “WWE: After the Bell” podcast released today:

“Before we go any further, on a personal note, I need to address something,” Graves said on the show. “This past Saturday, during the TakeOver: War Games event, I sent out a Tweet. It was an unpopular opinion, as I often do with the intention of just stirring up a little controversy, maybe have something fun to talk about on TV or here on the show.”

• Corey Graves Apologizes For Tweet Critical of Mauro Ranallo

“It was maybe not the most professional way to go about things and it was never meant to offend, or disrespect or disparage anybody, that was never my intention. If it was taken as such, I apologize deeply, that was not my intention. I would never intentionally cause anybody any undue stress, especially a co-worker, so I apologize.”