On a recent edition of the “Short and to the Point” podcast, WWE broadcaster Corey Graves discussed transitioning from color commentator to a play-by-play role on WWE SmackDown, and his relationship with his colleagues Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On switching to play-by-play work: “I think overall the most exciting aspect is it’s something new. I’m comfortable with it to an extent, having worked alongside Michael Cole for all these years. Cole really had me from day one as far as what he would like me to become as a broadcaster. Even back as an analyst I learned everything sort of the Michael Cole style — the outlines, the X’s and O’s.”
On doing more prep work for SmackDown: “I got so comfortable as an analyst that I did very little to zero prep before the shows. Every once in a while, if it was a big premium live event or for the Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, etc., I would do a little homework, maybe drum up some backstories that people hadn’t been so familiar with. But now I actually have a lot of work to do. My workday begins when I get to the building on Fridays and that’s weirdly enough exciting for me.”
On the toughest part about the switch: “The hardest thing about making this transition so far is keeping my wit in check because as a human being, if there’s a joke to be made, I’m there. It’s just kind of … it’s a curse and a blessing, but I’ve been able to still maintain a little bit of that flavor.”
On still finding his voice: “I was told right up front when I was offered this opportunity, ‘We don’t want you to be Michael Cole 2.0. We already have Michael Cole. I’m still finding my voice and Wade Barrett is a new partner for me. He’s a guy I’ve developed chemistry with and been friendly with over the years, but as far as from a broadcast perspective, it’s all brand new. So I’m learning on the job, on the fly, as he is. But I think the beautiful part is we can sort of gel and tweak one another together and evolve as a team and sort of be a little bit more complete while also being something fresh, something new that’s never really been done before.”
Corey Graves Discusses Transitioning to Play-by-Play Role on WWE SmackDown
In a recent episode of the “Short and to the Point” podcast, WWE broadcaster Corey Graves opened up about his experience transitioning from a color commentator to a play-by-play role on WWE SmackDown. He also shared insights into his relationship with his colleagues Michael Cole and Pat McAfee.
Graves expressed his excitement about the new role, stating that the most thrilling aspect is the opportunity to try something different. Having worked alongside Michael Cole for several years, Graves acknowledged Cole’s influence on his broadcasting style. He learned from Cole’s outlines and approach to commentary, which helped shape his own skills as an analyst.
One significant change for Graves is the increased preparation required for his new role. As an analyst, he had become comfortable and did minimal prep work before shows. However, as a play-by-play commentator, he now dedicates more time to research and familiarize himself with the storylines and background information. Graves admitted that this additional workload has been oddly exciting for him.
Despite the excitement, Graves also shared the challenges he faces during this transition. He mentioned that one of the hardest things for him is reining in his wit. Known for his quick humor, Graves finds it challenging to hold back from making jokes during the broadcast. However, he appreciates the balance between maintaining his personality and professionalism.
Graves also emphasized that he is still finding his voice in this new role. When offered the opportunity, he was explicitly told not to become a “Michael Cole 2.0” as WWE already has Cole in that position. Graves sees this transition as a chance for personal growth and development. Working alongside Wade Barrett, his new partner, Graves aims to create chemistry and evolve together as a team. He believes that their collaboration will bring something fresh and unique to WWE commentary.
Overall, Corey Graves’ transition from color commentator to play-by-play commentator on WWE SmackDown has brought about new challenges and opportunities. With his experience and the guidance of Michael Cole, Graves is excited to explore this new role and continue to entertain WWE fans with his unique style and perspective.