WWE left in a commentary mess after star’s ‘sad’ apology attempt

Fresh from an alleged cheating scandal, a star WWE commentator has reportedly angered officials over his “sad” apology to a colleague.

It took four days, but Corey Graves apologised. Sort of.

The WWE announcer opened the latest “After the Bell” podcast by saying sorry for a tweet during Saturday’s NXT Takeover WarGames event in which he criticised broadcast colleague Mauro Ranallo, who suffers from bipolar disorder. Graves, however, did not mention Ranallo by name. Meanwhile, Ranallo, who missed Survivor Series after the tweet, won’t be returning for Wednesday night’s NXT broadcast, according to multiple reports.

“This past Saturday during the Takeover WarGames event, I sent out a tweet. It was an unpopular opinion, as I often do with the intention of just stirring up a little controversy, maybe have something fun to talk about on TV or here on the show,” Graves said. “It was maybe not the most professional way to go about things, and it was never meant to offend or disrespect or disparage anybody. That was never my intention. If it was taken as such, I apologise deeply. That was not my intention. I would never intentionally cause anybody any undue stress, especially a co-worker. So I apologise.”

Corey Graves has apologised for his comments about Mauro Ranallo

After calling Takeover, Ranallo was expected to be a part of WWE’s Survivor Series broadcast Sunday night but did not take part. Michael Cole said on air that Ranallo’s absence was due to “blowing out his voice” on Saturday. Ranallo deleted his Twitter account on Sunday, causing further concern.

Graves’ tweet was based on his feeling that Ranallo doesn’t give Beth Phoenix and Nigel McGuinness enough time to speak during NXT broadcasts.

“Just for the record guys, I know you wouldn’t know it, but there’s actually a WWE Hall of Famer AND a former Ring of Honor Champion on commentary. I’d imagine they have a lot to offer. #NXTTakeoverWarGames,” Graves wrote.

Just for the record guys, I know you wouldn’t know it, but there’s actually a WWE Hall of Famer AND a former Ring of Honor Champion on commentary.

I’d imagine they have a lot to offer.

🤷‍♂️#NXTTakeoverWarGames

— Corey Graves (@WWEGraves) November 24, 2019

Cole said during Survivor Series that Ranallo would return for Wednesday night’s live NXT broadcast, but that reportedly won’t be the case.

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter said on his post-Survivor Series radio show that WWE and Ranallo are on good terms.

“He did not quit. Obviously, everything is fine. Fine... that’s a weird way of putting it. But everything seems to be fine between Mauro Ranallo and WWE,” Meltzer said, via 411Mania. “I was told [Sunday] that he absolutely is expected to be there Wednesday commentating on NXT and that from his side, he absolutely expects to be there. I think that they were not happy with Graves, although Graves did do the show [Sunday].”

Graves has recently gone public with his relationship with WWE star Carmella following a lengthy scandal surrounding accusations from his estranged wife that he was having an affair.

Amy Polinsky, Graves estranged wife, made headlines earlier this year after accusing her husband, real name Matthew Polinsky, of “sleeping with” the SmackDown Live star.

Graves in February angrily rejected his wife’s claims that he is having an affair.

He and Carmella have reportedly been dating in recent months and have even been seen on WWE broadcasts kissing.