In the world of professional wrestling, the voice of Vince McMahon is synonymous with authority and often instills both fear and respect in those fortunate enough to hear it. Corey Graves, a WWE commentator with a storied career that began as a wrestler, recently shared a hair-raising tale of a moment when he thought his time with WWE had come to an abrupt end, all thanks to a prank by none other than Vince McMahon himself.
Graves joined Kurt Angle on The Kurt Angle Show, where he delved into his WWE journey, sharing anecdotes and experiences from his time as a commentator. The story he recounted was a memorable one, involving an unexpected encounter with the chairman of WWE, Vince McMahon, that occurred during a live episode of Monday Night Raw.
The incident took place in Chicago on a chilly Christmas night approximately four or five years ago. Raw’s commentary desk was perched on top of the stage near the entranceway, creating a unique setup where commentators would face away from the ring and the live audience to provide commentary for on-camera shots.
Graves set the scene, “Michael Cole and I were discussing beforehand, and he said, ‘Listen, I’m going to do a welcome to Monday Night Raw. I’m going to say Happy Holidays, everybody.’ And he said, ‘Then you can say Merry Christmas. Here’s what we have on tap.’ Okay, great. We’re going to throw in some graphics.”
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However, as the live broadcast began, things took an unexpected turn. Michael Cole initiated the scripted welcome, stating, ‘Welcome everyone to Monday Night Raw. Happy Holidays, everybody.’ What followed was a lightning-fast reaction that left Graves stunned and fearing the worst. Vince McMahon’s unmistakable voice burst through their headsets, broadcasting his disapproval to all who were listening, “I said, ‘Merry Christmas. Not Happy Holidays.'”
Corey Graves, on the receiving end of Vince McMahon’s unexpected wrath, described the moment as a surreal experience, “Meanwhile, I’m going to say, I’m getting yelled at on camera, and you look like a deer in headlights going, ‘Oh my, this is it. I’m getting fired on Christmas night. I have no idea.'”
The tension in the commentary booth was palpable, and Graves couldn’t help but assume the worst. However, as the segment concluded, Vince McMahon’s tone changed from one of anger to amusement as he revealed that it was all a prank. He quipped, ‘Aha, that was good. Thanks, guys.’
In the world of WWE, where larger-than-life personalities often dominate the narrative, it’s these behind-the-scenes moments that provide fans with a glimpse of the genuine camaraderie and occasional ribbing that exists among the WWE team. Vince McMahon, known for his love of pranks and practical jokes, had successfully pulled off a memorable one on Corey Graves that Christmas night.
Ava’s opinion; Corey Graves’ story serves as a reminder that even the most high-stakes and intense environments can be filled with moments of levity and camaraderie. Vince McMahon’s prank, while momentarily terrifying, showcased the unique dynamics that exist within the world of professional wrestling.
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It’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of WWE Superstars and personnel that they can navigate moments of tension and unpredictability with grace, even when the voice of Vince McMahon, often referred to as the “voice of God” in the wrestling world, enters their ears with unexpected directives.
Corey Graves’ tale is not only a captivating behind-the-scenes insight but also a testament to the camaraderie that defines WWE. Moments like these, where fear quickly turns to relief, serve as a reminder that even the most powerful figures in the industry are not beyond playing a good-natured prank on their colleagues.
