WWE's Corey Graves Says NXT Needs More Personality
SmackDown's Corey Graves speaks on what he feels WWE's NXT stars currently lack...
Corey Graves believes that the current NXT product could use "a little injection of personality" in order to help its performers stand out.
Speaking on a recent episode of his After the Bell podcast (with NXT Champion Finn Balor as his guest), the SmackDown announcer called back to his time working under Dusty Rhodes on WWE's black and gold brand, mentioning The American Dream's character-focused approach to helping the audience figure out who the wrestlers are.
Graves said that while NXT arguably has "the best wrestlers in the world" and "unbelievable" matches, the brand's personality isn't on the same level (h/t WrestlingNews.co for the transcriptions):-
"I was having a hard time, with few exceptions, knowing who these people are. What makes them tick? Why are they the way that they are? MSK for example, yea, they were spectacular to watch. They did some mind-blowing stuff. They are obviously great athletes. But, what makes them important to me, the viewer?"
Citing Shotzi Blackheart as someone who is standing out for her "very discernible personality," Corey clarified that he wasn't intending to take shots at anybody. All he wants is more personality:-
"This is just what I would like to see more of. I would like to know why these people are the way that they are. What makes them stand out for reasons other than being great at pro wrestling… I think NXT could use a little injection of personality as far as to stand out. Everybody has metal music. Everybody wears trunks and kick pads. Everybody’s in great shape. Why does one differ from the other?"
The Wyatt Family, Seth Rollins, Bayley, and Adam Rose (who Graves acknowledged as a main roster flop) were given as examples of this in effect.
Graves was with NXT (in its developmental form) from the beginning, transitioning over when WWE rebranded FCW in 2012. He was an active wrestler until April 2014, when concussion issues forced him to take time away from wrestling and eventually retire, leading to him becoming a commentator. He currently sits alongside Michael Cole in the SmackDown announce booth.