Category: NXT

Corey Graves Absent From WWE NXT After Expressing His Displeasure

Tuesday night’s episode of WWE NXT at the Performance Center raised eyebrows with the absence of Corey Graves, who was originally slated to be part of the commentary team. Instead, the show featured a two-man booth consisting of Vic Joseph and Booker T. While many fans initially assumed Graves’ absence was tied to a storyline, new reports suggest there’s more to the situation than meets the eye.

Recently Graves took to X (formally known as Twitter) to express his displeasure over being reassigned from Friday Night SmackDown to WWE NXT. In an tweet earlier on Tuesday, hinted that he’d have plenty to say on NXT later that night. However, the expected commentary appearance never materialized, and sources close to the situation claim his frustrations are very real.

According to Fightful Select, Graves was genuinely upset about his move to NXT, and his no-show on Tuesday was not part of a scripted angle. PWInsider further reported that Graves was spotted at the Orlando Airport on Tuesday, heading back home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Graves’ feelings are understandable when considering his long history as a staple of WWE’s commentary teams. After being forced to retire from in-ring competition in 2014 due to medical reasons, Graves transitioned to a full-time commentary role. By 2016, he had cemented his place on the main roster, working for both Raw and SmackDown over the years. In 2024, Graves even served as the play-by-play voice for SmackDown, before being replaced by Joe Tessitore.

The current shake-up in WWE’s commentary teams appears to have left Graves without a spot on the main roster. WWE made significant changes to align with Raw’s recent move to Netflix, appointing Michael Cole and Pat McAfee to handle commentary duties for Raw, while Tessitore and Wade Barrett became the voices of SmackDown. These changes seemingly pushed Graves down the hierarchy, relegating him to NXT—a move he reportedly didn’t take kindly to.

For now, there’s no official word from WWE regarding Graves’ absence or the reports of his frustration. Whether this story becomes part of a larger on-screen narrative or remains an off-screen issue remains to be seen.

One thing’s for sure—Corey Graves has been a vital voice for WWE fans over the last decade, and his absence from Tuesday night’s NXT broadcast did not go unnoticed. With NXT continuing to grow as a developmental and third brand for WWE, only time will tell how Graves fits into the picture moving forward.

Stay tuned to Wrestling News Blog for more updates on this developing story.

WWE NXT Preview 1/14/2024

WWE will present a new episode of NXT tonight on The CW.

  • NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Fraxiom (c) vs. OTM
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend vs. The Unholy Union
  • NXT Women’s North American Championship #1 Contenders Match: Shotzi vs. Stephanie Vaquer

Corey Graves Speaks Out After Being Moved to “WWE NXT” Commentary

WWE fans were stunned when Corey Graves made a surprise appearance on the “WWE NXT” commentary team during the January 7 episode, signaling a significant change for the longtime voice of Raw. After two weeks of absence from WWE’s flagship show, speculation about his status reached a boiling point. Finally, Graves broke his silence in a heartfelt and fiery social media post following the conclusion of the January 13 episode of Raw.

A Career of Dreams and Setbacks

In his emotional statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Graves reflected on his love for the wrestling industry and the heartbreaking derailment of his in-ring career due to a string of concussions and neck injuries during his NXT tenure. He recounted how he channeled his passion into commentary, finding success in what he referred to as a “dream-adjacent” role. However, Graves didn’t hold back his frustration with being removed from the Raw commentary team in favor of Pat McAfee, calling out WWE’s decision-making process.

“Imagine chasing your dream. Then being TOLD (not deciding) that you’re no longer physically able to pursue your dream. Then you dedicate your life to something ‘dream adjacent’ and being pretty fu**ing awesome at it. And then, when it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, being told you’re not famous enough for your own job. Just in case you’ve wondered where I’ve been,” Graves wrote.

https://twitter.com/WWEGraves/status/1879024900590944273

The post struck a chord with fans and fellow wrestlers alike, as many rallied behind Graves, showing their support. The hashtag #WeWantGraves quickly gained traction, with one reply garnering over 24,000 views as of this writing.

The McAfee Factor

Graves’ move to NXT appears to be directly tied to WWE’s decision to bring in Pat McAfee for the Raw commentary booth. McAfee, a former NFL punter and current ESPN college football personality, has become a household name thanks to his high-energy broadcasting style and cross-platform fame. While McAfee’s addition has been praised for drawing mainstream attention, it’s clear the decision has left a sour taste for Graves and his supporters.

This shakeup has left Graves indefinitely stationed on NXT, with no immediate plans for a return to either Raw or SmackDown. However, reports suggest that he could rejoin the main roster later in the year when McAfee takes a leave during the college football season. It remains uncertain whether Graves would reclaim his Raw spot or transition into a different role.

A Loyal Company Man

Graves’ loyalty to WWE is well-documented. After injuries forced him to retire from in-ring competition, he fully embraced the color commentator role, becoming a standout voice for the company. Over the years, his sharp wit, deep wrestling knowledge, and chemistry with broadcast partners have made him a fan favorite and an integral part of WWE programming.

His recent comments reflect not only his personal disappointment but also a sense of betrayal after years of hard work and dedication. Despite this, Graves’ professionalism has shone through, as he’s reportedly committed to bringing his signature commentary style to NXT.

What’s Next for Corey Graves?

Graves’ move to NXT might not be permanent, but his future remains uncertain. Whether he stays in the developmental brand for the foreseeable future or makes a return to the main roster later in the year, one thing is clear: Graves has a loyal fanbase that isn’t shy about voicing their support.

For now, fans tuning in to NXT can expect Graves to elevate the brand’s commentary, lending his unique insight to the next generation of WWE superstars. However, his social media post serves as a reminder of the emotional toll these changes can have, even on one of WWE’s most seasoned commentators.

The “Savior of Misbehavior” may be off Raw for now, but his voice — and his passion for the wrestling business — is far from silenced.

For more updates on Corey Graves, WWE’s evolving commentary teams, and the latest developments across the wrestling world, stay locked in with Wrestling News Blog!

WWE New Year’s Evil 1/7/2025

WWE NXT New Year’s Evil tonight live on The CW from the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles, CA.

  • NXT Championship: Trick Williams (c) vs. Oba Femi vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • NXT Women’s Championship: Roxanne Perez (c) vs. Giulia
  • #1 Contender’s Match for NXT Women’s North American Championship: Cora Jade vs. Stephanie Vaquer vs. Lola Vice vs. Kelani Jordan
  • Sudden Death Rules match for NXT Heritage Cup: Lexis King (c) vs. Charlie Dempsey
  • Fatal Influence (Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx) vs. Gigi Dolin, Shotzi & Tatum Paxley.

WWE NXT Preview 12/31/2024

WWE NXT tonight on The CW.

  • Gigi Dolin & Shotzi vs. Katana Chance & Kayden Carter vs. Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend 
  • Kelani Jordan vs. Lola Vice
  • NXT Awards

NXT’s Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo and Arianna Grace Are Engaged

Romance is in the air at WWE’s Performance Center! Among the many NXT Superstars whose relationships have captured fans’ hearts, one couple has just taken their love story to the next level.

Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo, a key member of The Family faction on NXT, and Arianna Grace (the daughter of Santino Marella) have announced their engagement! The pair, who have charmed fans with glimpses of their relationship through social media and live streams, are now preparing to tie the knot.

On Friday morning, Arianna Grace took to social media to share the exciting news, expressing her joy over the proposal. “It was perfect,” Grace wrote, adding a touch of romance to an already thrilling moment.

The Future for Stacks and Grace

With both Lorenzo and Grace continuing to make waves in NXT, their engagement marks a special milestone in their personal and professional lives. Fans can expect even more heartfelt moments from the couple as they move toward their wedding day.

Congratulations to the happy couple!

WWE NXT Level Up Reportedly Ending

As WWE gears up for a transformative 2025, the company’s programming continues to shift across networks, and it seems NXT Level Up is the latest casualty of this new era.

According to a report from Fightful Select, WWE is set to wrap up NXT Level Up this week, with Thursday’s taping reportedly marking the series’ final episode. This comes amid WWE’s broader network shuffle, as the company prepares for RAW’s highly anticipated move to Netflix in January.

NXT itself has already undergone significant changes this year. Back in October, SmackDown moved from FOX to the USA Network, while NXT transitioned from USA to The CW Network. Along with this shift, older episodes of NXT migrated from Peacock to The CW App, causing uncertainty about where supplemental content like NXT Level Up would land.

NXT Level Up first debuted on February 18, 2022, as a successor to the beloved 205 Live. The show primarily served as a proving ground for newer NXT talent—those who had yet to establish themselves on the main Tuesday night NXT broadcast. Episodes were often taped either before or after the live NXT shows, giving developmental wrestlers a chance to gain experience in front of a live audience.

Despite its role in spotlighting emerging stars, the future of NXT Level Up has felt uncertain for months. The lack of clarity on its streaming home—especially with NXT’s library moving to The CW—sparked speculation that the show would soon be discontinued. Now, with Fightful’s report indicating its imminent conclusion, it appears WWE is officially pulling the plug.

While NXT Level Up may be ending, WWE’s developmental brand remains a key focus. NXT’s move to The CW has given the brand a new home with broader reach, and WWE is clearly investing in elevating its younger talent through Tuesday night programming. With RAW moving to Netflix in 2025 and SmackDown thriving on USA Network, WWE’s media landscape continues to evolve—and smaller shows like NXT Level Up may no longer fit into the company’s long-term strategy.

For now, fans can tune in to the final episode of NXT Level Up this Thursday as WWE says goodbye to the short-lived series. It’s a bittersweet end for a show that helped develop the next generation of stars, but it’s clear WWE has its eyes set on a much bigger stage as it heads into 2025.

WWE NXT Preview 12/17/2024

WWE NXT live tonight on The CW from the Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, MA.

  • WWE NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Eddy Thorpe
  • WWE NXT Tag Team Championships Match: Nathan Frazer & Axiom (c) vs. Gallus (Joe Coffey & Wolfgang)
  • Oba Femi vs. Axiom
  • Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson vs. Sol Ruca & Zaria
  • Wren Sinclair vs. Jaida Parker

WWE will also be taping next week’s episode to air on December 24 later tonight.

Shotzi Returned To NXT

Tuesday night’s WWE NXT delivered a surprise return as Shotzi stormed back from injury to even the odds against the dangerous duo of Fatal Influence—Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx. After months on the shelf, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion made an emphatic statement, standing tall alongside Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolan.

Numbers Game and a Sneaky Assist

Before the match, Tatum Paxley hinted at a surprise ally during a backstage conversation with Gigi Dolan—just before being rudely interrupted by Shawn Spears. Paxley reassured Dolan not to stress over Fatal Influence’s potential numbers advantage. However, that advantage quickly came into play.

During their tag team showdown, Jazmyn Nyx managed to divert the referee’s attention long enough for Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley to strike. Henley knocked Paxley off the top rope, allowing Jacy Jayne to capitalize with a brutal spinning right hand. Jayne pinned Paxley for the win, giving Fatal Influence a decisive victory.

Shotzi Returns to Save the Day

Post-match, the chaos escalated as Fatal Influence launched a beatdown on Paxley and Dolan. Just when it seemed like the pair was outnumbered, Shotzi’s iconic entrance music hit, and the crowd erupted. The fan-favorite sprinted down the ramp, steel determination in her eyes, to fend off Fatal Influence and stand strong with Paxley and Dolan.

Shotzi’s return marks the end of a lengthy recovery from an ACL injury suffered back in February during an NXT Women’s Championship match against Lyra Valkyria. Originally expected to miss around nine months, Shotzi used her time off not only to rehabilitate her knee but also to address lingering back issues. The powerhouse competitor even sought stem cell treatment in Mexico, further aiding her recovery.

What’s Next for Shotzi?

Shotzi’s return injects new energy into the NXT women’s division, and her alliance with Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolan may spell trouble for Fatal Influence moving forward. With Fallon Henley lurking in the mix as well, this budding rivalry seems far from over. Will Shotzi and her new allies get revenge, or will Fatal Influence and their underhanded tactics continue to dominate?

Stay tuned as the action unfolds on WWE NXT!

WWE NXT Preview 12/10/2024

WWE NXT live tonight on the CW.

  • Fallout from Deadline
  • Wes Lee vs. Je’Von Evans
  • Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin vs. Jacy Jayne & Jazmyn Nyx
  • Oba Femi addresses the NXT Universe