Jim Ross has invoked the wisdom of TV’s Tony Soprano when discussing the current situation with Corey Graves and WWE.
Graves was recently moved to NXT following WWE RAW’s premiere on Netflix. Graves had been on the SmackDown commentary team, but he was shifted to NXT as WWE shuffled the commentary teams. In since-deleted tweets, he claimed that he was removed from the main roster because he wasn’t famous enough for his job.
Jim Ross addressed this controversy on the latest episode of Grilling JR. The WWE Hall of Famer reflected on similar things happening to him multiple times during his WWE career.
“How many times has that happened to me? Several. Yes, and here I am—jolly, happy, and healthy as an old horse. I’ve got nothing to complain about; it’s just part of the life we choose. I remember a classic line from ‘The Sopranos’ where Tony was talking to his cousin Tony. His cousin wanted to start a legitimate therapeutic massage parlor.
“He had just gotten out of prison and was trying to get his life back on track but needed extra cash. That extra cash, as I recall, came in the form of a hit. When his cousin started complaining about that life, Tony Soprano responded with the classic line, ‘This is the life we chose.'” Jim Ross said.
“That sentiment is very similar to the issues many of us have faced in wrestling. I feel bad that someone feels left behind—maybe he has been. But would you trade Pat McAfee and his massive broadcast platform for Corey Graves? I wouldn’t, to be honest.”
Jim Ross On Pat McAfee
Ross went on to note that Graves may be more knowledgeable about wrestling, but McAfee’s platform is an asset.
“Corey Graves is probably more knowledgeable and has a better skill set when it comes to internal wrestling knowledge,” he said. “But Pat McAfee’s platform reaches from border to border; his footprint is enormous. I really admire Pat for his entrepreneurship and promotional instincts—it’s impressive.”
Corey Graves was absent from the January 14th episode of WWE NXT. WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
