During Friday’s WrestleMania 40 Kickoff event, it was announced that Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Corey Graves will be the commentary team for both nights of WrestleMania 40.
As we previously reported here on eWn, Samantha Irvin will be the ring announcer for all of the matches at the pay-per-view event.
If Corey Graves were ever to return to the ring, he has Seth Rollins and CM Punk in mind as his dream opponents. Graves suffered a neck injury many years ago and despite being cleared to return, he remains on the commentary team.
Speaking on a recent edition of the “Wrestle Binge” podcast, Graves commented on a possible return to the ring, his desire to face off against CM Punk and Seth Rollins, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On if he’s up for a return to the ring: “Honestly, I could give you five different answers for that, but I can honestly say my focus has really shifted. I got cleared, it was almost two years ago now, and it was in the midst of a lot of different things were happening, professionally and personally, and I was sort of looking for something to scratch that itch. But since I’ve slid over into the now lead role on Friday Night SmackDown in the commentary booth, that’s actually provided me with a lot more motivation and a new skill to learn and to focus on.
“As much as this is the biggest sports entertainment company in the globe, it can be Groundhog Day from time to time, and you see the same faces and do the same things, and I honestly was on autopilot half the time, doing SmackDown or Raw, from a color perspective. So to have this new role, I’ve been able to put 100% of my focus and energy in that. With that said, again, of the opportunity ever presented itself where it made sense and where it could be part of a larger story, I’m beyond the point of, I don’t need that WrestleMania moment for my own age. I just am a willing participant and another character that can hopefully be thrown into the mix in some capacity as needed, but I think I’ve scratched the itch fairly well recently.”
On who he would like to face if he does return: “I would love to step in the ring with Seth again. Seth was one of my favorite opponents in FCW and NXT when we were first coming up. I would love to step in the ring with Punk again. It’s been many, many years. As far as my personal favorite these days, I’m a big Gunther days. I’m in no hurry to step inside the ring with the Ring General.”
During the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff event, it was announced that Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and Corey Graves will be the commentary team for both nights of WrestleMania 40. This news has generated excitement among wrestling fans as they anticipate the dynamic commentary these three individuals will bring to the event.
In addition to this announcement, it was revealed that Samantha Irvin will serve as the ring announcer for all of the matches at WrestleMania 40. Irvin’s presence adds to the overall atmosphere of the event and ensures that each match is introduced with the appropriate level of excitement and anticipation.
One interesting aspect of the WrestleMania 40 Kickoff event was Corey Graves discussing his potential return to the ring. Graves, who suffered a neck injury in the past, has been cleared to compete but has chosen to remain on the commentary team. However, he expressed his desire to face off against two notable opponents if he were to make a comeback – Seth Rollins and CM Punk.
Graves spoke about his focus shifting since taking on the lead role on Friday Night SmackDown’s commentary team. He explained that this new position has provided him with motivation and a new skill to learn and develop. While he acknowledged that there may be opportunities for him to return to the ring in the future, he emphasized that his current role as a commentator has allowed him to put all his energy into that aspect of his career.
When asked about his dream opponents, Graves mentioned Seth Rollins and CM Punk. He praised Rollins as one of his favorite opponents during their time in FCW and NXT. He also expressed a desire to step back into the ring with CM Punk, highlighting that it has been many years since their last encounter. Additionally, Graves mentioned Gunther as one of his personal favorites in recent times but stated that he is in no hurry to face him in the ring.
Overall, Corey Graves’ comments have sparked speculation and excitement among wrestling fans. While his focus currently remains on his role as a commentator, the possibility of him returning to the ring and facing off against Seth Rollins or CM Punk adds an intriguing layer to his career. As WrestleMania 40 approaches, fans will eagerly await any further developments or surprises that may arise during the event.