WWE announcer Corey Graves was notably absent from the SummerSlam 2025 event, with Michael Cole and Wade Barrett handling commentary for both nights. While the pay-per-view event took place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Graves revealed through social media that he was in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, far from the SummerSlam venue.
Graves shared on his Instagram story that he attended a monster truck show at the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh during the same weekend as SummerSlam. This update clarified questions surrounding his absence from the WWE broadcast team.
Connection Between Corey Graves and Pat McAfee’s Departure
Graves had recently been filling in for Pat McAfee on WWE RAW after McAfee announced his exit due to exhaustion. However, Graves himself was not part of the SummerSlam broadcast team this year. Earlier in 2025, Graves expressed frustration on social media after being sent back to WWE’s NXT brand, suggesting that WWE management told him he was not a big enough star for the main roster.
Konnan Praises Corey Graves’ Professionalism During WWE Worlds Collide
In June, Corey Graves worked alongside wrestling veteran Konnan on commentary for the WWE and AAA crossover event Worlds Collide in Los Angeles. Konnan commended Graves for being well-prepared and professional during the show, openly appreciating the support Graves provided despite Konnan’s long absence from commentary.
“He came pretty prepared. His brother wrestled in AAA. He did his due diligence. He came pretty prepared. So, I helped him with a couple of things. Not as much as you would think. He’s a very professional guy, and I’m glad I had him as a partner. He made it easy for me because I hadn’t done commentating in over ten years.” —Konnan, Wrestling Veteran
Possible Directions for Corey Graves’ Role Within WWE
The absence of Corey Graves from the high-profile SummerSlam event raises questions about his future with WWE. Despite the setback, Graves remains a valued commentator with experience across WWE’s main roster and NXT. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how WWE utilizes him going forward, especially given his recent involvement in prominent cross-promotional events and his outspoken nature on social media.
With his professionalism acknowledged by peers such as Konnan, and his passion for wrestling commentary evident, Corey Graves’ next moves in WWE could be significant for his career trajectory.
