Corey Graves Reflects On Ten Year Anniversary Of Retirement Announcement

Ten years ago, Corey Graves announced his in-ring retirement due to concussion issues.

The announcement came on December 11, 2014 during the NXT TakeOver: R Evolution pre-show. Graves had not wrestled since April 3, 2014 when he suffered a concussion during a six-man tag team bout. 

Graves transitioned into an announcers role following his in-ring retirement, becoming the lead color commentator on the WWE main roster and working as a play-by-play announcer when called upon. 

On social media, Graves reflected on his retirement announcement. 

10 years.

I still miss it every day.

There was no “backup plan.”

Not bad for an audible.

Thanks to everyone for taking the ride with me. —@WWE

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) December 11, 2024

Graves is currently the color commentator on WWE SmackDown alongside Michael Cole. 

In 2022, Graves confirmed that he is medically cleared to compete, but it wasn’t an immediate goal of his to return to the ring.