Corey Graves calls new WWE SmackDown commentary role 'an honor'

On Friday night, Corey Graves started in a new role on SmackDown commentary.

Graves officially became SmackDown's lead play-by-play announcer for the first time, transitioning from his previous role as a color commentator. Graves and Wade Barrett are the new commentary team for the show. Michael Cole and the returning Pat McAfee are Raw's commentary team going forward.

After SmackDown, Graves stated that he had not been this nervous in years. Graves called the new role an honor and promised to do best by the fans.

He wrote on X:

I haven’t been that nervous in years. A new role. A new mountain. A new challenge. There will be bumps in the road. There is plenty of room for improvement. But, as a lifelong fan, it is an honor. I will do my best to do right by you.

Paul "Triple H" Levesque responded by congratulating Graves. Levesque said Graves and Barrett both did awesome.

Carmella expressed how proud she was of her husband before last night's show:

tonight, this man becomes the voice of smackdown as lead commentator. to say im proud is an understatement. for someone whose dreams were taken from him as an in ring performer to learn an entirely new craft is amazing. to not only learn this new skill but become one of the BEST to ever do it is inspiring. it goes to show that when one door closes, an even better one can open. not only will he go down as one of the best color commentators of all time (if you don’t think so, you’re a hater and you can fight me) he’s going to change the game as the voice of smackdown. and the best part is, he’s only getting started!! i could go on and on about how amazing he is, but you get the picture…..good luck, baby!

Graves and Kevin Patrick had been the SmackDown commentary team prior to Patrick being released by WWE last week. Before that, there was a three-man booth on SmackDown with Cole, Graves, and Patrick. Cole and Barrett were the Raw commentary team before McAfee's return.