10 Biggest WWE Developmental Success Stories

Corey Graves' tragic early retirement in 2014 brought a staggering 14 year in-ring career to an abrupt half after a comparatively minor stint in WWE's developmental system.

A concussion-too-many meant enough was enough for the tattooed star, but he became the first significant beneficiary of WWE's state-of-the-art Performance Center facilities beyond the ring.

Announcing both his retirement and his new role on the pre-show of December 2014's NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, Graves had quickly matured from a cynical heel to a stylish, contemporary announcer. Though unable to physically tolerate wrestling, Grave's knack for stick work was harnessed at the Performance Centre, where he worked diligently to improve his skills over what would end up to be his final stint on the bench.

Cast in the mould of a modern-day Jesse Venutra, Graves' broadly heel-centric colour commentary on the white hot NXT brand was richly received. His chemistry first with Rich Brennan and especially Tom Phillips grounded every broadcast to the point where he became a constant favourite to get called up to the main roster.

The promotion came in the 2016, when he landed the colour role on Monday Night Raw following the revived Brand Extension. He has since become one of the most visible faces in the company, with his NXT popularity extending to WWE's global audience.