With Michael Cole and Pat McAfee calling the action on RAW and Wade Barrett and Joe Tessitore doing a fantastic job on SmackDown, WWE commentator Corey Graves was left with nowhere to go...other than back to NXT.
He quickly voiced his frustrations about that on social media, claiming to have been told he's "not famous enough" for his own job. In an interview with Logan Paul, Cole was asked about that and described it as "a strange situation."
He explained, "I love Corey. Love him to death. I still don’t understand all the dynamics of it. I know that he said something on social media that was pretty critical of the company. He tried to explain to everyone that he was trying to generate some interest and maybe type up a storyline. I don’t think the company saw it that way. I think him and the company are working that out."
"I love Corey to death. He is an unbelievable commentator. Beside [Pat] McAfee, he is probably the best partner I’ve ever had," Cole revealed.
As suspected, it seems Graves hoped to potentially set the stage for an in-ring return with his X post. Based on what Cole is saying, though, WWE had no interest in that and likely wasn't happy with Graves going into business for himself.
Elsewhere in the conversation, Cole confirmed he's recently reached a new deal with WWE. "I just signed a brand new contract with the company, so I’m gonna be here for a number of years," he said. "The company really made me feel, for the first time, that I was really important to this place, after 28 years. The paycheck is part of it, but the new regime had a lot to do with it."
The voice of WWE also shared what some might consider a controversial take on how he perceives the company. Despite what many fans have argued is a return to "pro wrestling" on Triple H's watch, Cole appears to still view the product as sports entertainment.
"That’s why Netflix wanted us. Netflix understands that we’re a storytelling entity first," Cole revealed. "We’re not professional wrestling anymore. We haven’t been for many years. We’re an entertainment product."
"I’ve never pretended in 28 years to be a professional wrestling announcer. I’m a narrator, I’m a storyteller, I’m a pitchman, and I’m somewhat of a play-by-play announcer. I embellish stories. I create characters."
You can watch the full interview with Cole in the player below.