Corey Graves replaced a 45-year-old star on the September 8 episode of WWE RAW and took a shot at internet rumours surrounding them.
WWE commentator Corey Graves took a direct shot at internet rumors during Monday Night RAW, addressing speculation surrounding his colleague Wade Barrett’s recent absence from commentary duties. During the broadcast, Graves made a pointed comment about online reports, stating,
It’s so weird, the internet told me Wade has been exiled to some faraway island.”
"It's so weird, the internet told me Wade has been exiled to some faraway island."
COREY GRAVES BRINGING UP THE WADE BARRETT REPORT 😭#WWERaw
— EliteRockerz 𝕏 (@EliteClubS0B) September 9, 2025
This comment came after WWE announced major changes to its commentary teams for Monday Night RAW. Cory Graves and Joe Tessitore were revealed as the new announce team on the ringside. This was in reference to an internet report speculating Barrett’s future in the company, stating he had been taken off the road.
However, Barrett himself quickly addressed these reports on social media, clarifying his status with WWE. He revealed that he had been given personal time off that was actually booked nine months in advance. Barrett called the removal reports “BS” and emphasized that he would return to “business as usual” after his planned break.
The speculation had reached such heights that PWInsider’s Mike Johnson had to clarify that his outlet never reported Barrett was done with the company, calling such claims “absolute trash aggregation”. Barrett’s absence coincided with Joe Tessitore stepping away due to his college football commitments with ESPN.
The Wade Barrett and Nikki Bella’s Recent WWE Controversy
Barrett’s time away from WWE commentary became more controversial due to his recent remarks about Nikki Bella during the Clash in Paris pre-show coverage. The 45-year-old commentator had described Bella as “desperate to prove she still has it against this new generation that has changed the game” ahead of her Women’s Intercontinental Championship match against Becky Lynch.
Bella took offense to the comments and addressed them on The Nikki & Brie Show, claiming Barrett had avoided her backstage at RAW. She stated that Barrett “tried to avoid making eye contact with me in the hallway” despite usually greeting her when they crossed paths. Bella acknowledged Barrett’s role as a heel commentator but felt his remarks crossed a line compared to how Michael Cole handles similar situations.
I had no idea Nicole felt this way, and I’m happy to have this ‘conversation’ any time she likes. I wish she’d brought it up when we said hello to each other at Raw, rather than via her podcast. I don’t understand the avoiding claim at all, simply not true. https://t.co/H7lkgKxkp0
— Stu Bennett 🏴🇺🇸 (@StuBennett) September 5, 2025
The situation was quickly resolved when both parties spoke privately. Barrett announced on social media that they had “smoothed things over” and he was graciously allowed back into the “Bella Army” as a fully paid member since their FCW days in 2008. He condemned the personal abuse directed at Bella online while acknowledging that their difference of perspective was acceptable.