10 Wrestling Facts We Didn’t Know Last Week (May 3)

7. Corey Graves' Childhood Piercing Story

Today, Corey Graves is a smooth-talking heel-ish colour commentator who has found his calling behind the desk on Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-view. He's replaced Jerry Lawler as WWE's colour favourite, and that was never guaranteed. Still, Graves misses the buzz of actually wrestling every now and then.

After all, it's what he told his dad he wanted to do when he was 14 years old.

At the time, young Corey was at a crossroads in his life. On Lilian Garcia's 'Chasing Glory' pod, he recalled standing in front of his concerned father and telling him he wanted a tongue piercing. That, to the teenager, would solve all his problems. Dad wasn't convinced, and he advised his son "do something creative" with his time.

Then, daddy dearest suggested becoming a boxer, bodybuilder or wrestler, and he was stunned when Corey fired back that he'd love to wrestle. Leaping on his son's enthusiasm, Graves Sr used his connections as a fire chief to get in touch with a local training school.