Corey Graves Praises Triple H For Freedom Given To WWE Announcers
Corey Graves indicates a far happier, healthier environment for WWE's announcers these days.
With WWE nowadays under the creative stewardship of Paul Levesque, it appears that the Game takes a far more hands-off approach to his announce teams than Vince McMahon ever did.
Infamously, McMahon would spend entire broadcasts screaming into the headsets of his announcers, instructing them on exactly what to say, and never being shy to berate and belittle them. So much so, the legendary Mick Foley's stint as a SmackDown commentator in 2008 lasted just a few months, with the Hardcore Legend opting to quit rather than have McMahon bellowing into his ear.
These days? These days it's a very different WWE, and SmackDown play-by-play anchor Corey Graves has spoken about the freedom and space Triple H gives to his announcers.
Speaking to Jessica Kleinschmidt on the Short and to the Point podcast (via AwfulAnnouncing.com), Graves had plentiful praise for the Levesque.
"Triple H is another guy I owe a great deal, if not everything in my career, to. He was the one that took a chance on me as a wrestling in NXT. If I need something, I've never hesitated to go to him and ask. He's cool and refreshing in the same that he gives us [announcers] space."
The Saviour of Misbehaviour continued:
"Instead of being told and prompted that you have to do it a certain way or you have to use certain verbiage, Triple H understands that we’re all fans, and as the business grows and evolves you kind of have to let go of the reins a little bit. I still have my guide rails, but I feel like they’re a little bit wider on each side now."
On whether the Cerebral Assassin spends entire broadcasts constantly screaming into headsets, ala Vince McMahon, Graves detailed:
“I’ve been on TV for seven years between RAW and Smackdown. In the last few months, my headsets have been as quiet and lucid as they have been ever. I only hear from him if I’m doing something terribly wrong or if a joke lands. If I say something and it gets him he’ll double down or he’ll add on to my joke in my headset."
From a viewers' standpoint, it's certainly appeared that the WWE announce teams were a little looser and relaxed in recent times, and the comments of Corey Graves seem to indicate a far happier, healthier working environment for those tasked with calling the action.