Corey Graves, a well-known WWE star, has recently embraced a surprising new position as a college professor at Point Park University. Known for his work as a commentator on NXT, RAW, and SmackDown, Graves now applies his extensive broadcasting experience to educating students in the communications department.
Graves stood out not only as a former NXT tag team champion but also as a respected voice in wrestling commentary. His transition from in-ring performer and announcer to academia represents a unique career expansion for a WWE personality, blending his sports entertainment expertise with formal education.
How Corey Graves Became a Professor at Point Park University
Graves’s journey into teaching began when he was invited to deliver a guest lecture to students studying broadcasting at Point Park University. His initial lecture received positive feedback, encouraging the university to request a follow-up visit. Graves reflected on these opportunities in an interview, saying:
“I was invited over the last year or two to speak at Point Park College to their broadcasting students. It was wrestling-centric, but there were also quite a few students who were broadcasting specific, not necessarily wrestling fans. It went well; they asked me to come back again, and I did. The second time went better than the first.” ?Polinsky, Corey Graves
Following these appearances, Graves began corresponding with the university and was invited to join their faculty. Over the past year, he developed a course titled Live Sports Production, which he instructs as a three-hour class every Wednesday. This course draws directly on his extensive experience in live sports and wrestling broadcasts, providing students with hands-on knowledge and insight.
Industry Support and Flexibility from WWE
The move has been supported by WWE’s parent company, TKO, which Graves noted is increasingly open to allowing talent to pursue outside projects. Graves explained the shift in company culture and approval processes in his interview:
“TKO has seemingly been a lot more open to collaboration and allowing talent to step outside WWE, more so than the old WWE regime. Anybody who works for WWE has had an opportunity of some sort that they’ve had to turn down because they couldn’t get permission, or it was a conflict of interest. This really isn’t a wrestling class; it was a broadcasting class. I took it to my manager, and they’ve been supportive to help me with making this happen.” ?Corey Graves
This openness contrasts with prior restrictions within WWE, where performers often had to decline external opportunities due to conflicts or lack of permission. Graves’s teaching position exemplifies how WWE talent can now explore professional roles beyond wrestling while maintaining support from the company.
Other Wrestlers Returning to Academia
Corey Graves is not alone in blending wrestling careers with academic pursuits. Alex Shelley, known as a member of the Motor City Machine Guns, has also recently returned to college to pursue his third degree, demonstrating an emerging trend among wrestling professionals to value education alongside their entertainment careers.
Significance of This Career Transition
Graves’s role as a professor marks a significant moment for both WWE and the larger sports entertainment industry, highlighting the potential for wrestlers to develop diverse career paths. By sharing his practical broadcasting expertise with students, he bridges the gap between entertainment sports and formal education, providing aspiring professionals with real-world skills.
With WWE’s evolving attitude toward external opportunities, this development may encourage more talent to consider academic roles or other creative endeavors alongside wrestling. Such transitions enrich the industry’s reputation and open new doors for performers seeking to leverage their diverse talents beyond the ring.
Monroeville native, WWE announcer Corey Graves grapples with new role as Point Park professor https://t.co/a34GXc6DdL
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) February 3, 2026
