By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Corey Graves issued an apology at the start of the WWE “After The Bell” podcast for a tweet directed at Mauro Ranallo. “This past Saturday during the Takeover WarGames event, I sent out a tweet. It was an unpopular opinion, as I often do, with the intention of just stirring up a little controversy, maybe have a little something fun to talk about on TV or here on the show. It was maybe not the most professional way to go about things and it was never meant to offend or disrespect or disparage anybody. That was never my intention. If it was taken as such, I apologize deeply. That was not my intention. I would never intentionally cause anybody any undue stress, especially a co-worker, so I apologize.”
Powell’s POV: Graves never mentioned Mauro Ranallo by name, nor has he deleted the controversial tweet (see below). I’m not sure why he’s kept the tweet up, but I think it’s worth giving him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to not mentioning Ranallo by name, as it’s possible that WWE officials ordered him to take that approach. But I’m not sure why Graves felt the need to go after Dave Meltzer or engage in a back and forth exchange with Frank Shamrock on Monday after it was obvious that there was an issue given that Ranallo did not call the NXT Title match at Survivor Series as planned. Graves could have apologized on his Twitter page that day instead of attacking a reporter or bickering with Shamrock. In related news, PostWrestling.com is reporting that Ranallo will not be at NXT television tonight. WWE’s claim on Sunday was that Ranallo “blew out his voice” and was unable to call the match at Survivor Series.
Just for the record guys, I know you wouldn’t know it, but there’s actually a WWE Hall of Famer AND a former Ring of Honor Champion on commentary.
I’d imagine they have a lot to offer.
— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) November 24, 2019
Damn, bury the lede much?
So he kept the tweet up. Argued about it. Apologised ‘if’ anyone was offended rather than just for being an insufferable prick, if you will, anddd waited to get downloads for it by only doing so on his pod. That’s a strike out of epic arrogance. You are giving a VERY generous benefit of the doubt.
3 way match to determine who is most hated on wrestling Twitter, Seth Rollins vs Brad Shepard vs Jim Cornette.
“Wait, that’s Corey Graves, what’s he doing here?! By god, he just took Cornette out with a steel chair! It looks like he’s putting himself into this match!”