Corey Graves has not ruled out stepping back between the ropes, and AAA is now one of the promotions he believes could offer an appealing setting for a possible return.
Speaking on the Mark Hoke Show, Graves addressed the question of whether fans may see him wrestle again. The longtime WWE broadcaster explained that he received medical clearance to compete several years ago when a potential opportunity appeared to be developing. While that situation did not ultimately lead to a sustained return to the ring, Graves said he has recently begun training again to gauge how his body feels.
“I did go and get medically cleared several years back when it seemed like there was going to be an opportunity,” Graves said. “Obviously, plans change as things change in the industry. I got a little stagnant after that, but I’m proud to report that I’ve been back in the gym for the past several months just to see how I feel.”
Graves then identified AAA as a potentially enjoyable place for him to compete if he does choose to wrestle again. The promotion carries an especially personal connection for him because his younger brother, Sam Adonis, has enjoyed notable success there over the years.
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“AAA might be fun for me to step foot into that,” Graves said. “My younger brother, Sam Adonis, had a great deal of success in AAA over the years. Maybe I’ll follow in his footsteps. That could be kind of fun. Never say never.”
A Career Changed by Concussion Issues
Graves retired from active in-ring competition in 2014 because of concussion issues. That decision redirected his career toward commentary, a role in which he became one of WWE’s most recognizable broadcast voices. Rather than being viewed only as a former wrestler moving to the announce desk, Graves developed into a central part of WWE programming through his analysis, personality, and ability to bring his own wrestler’s perspective to major matches and stories.
His retirement did not erase the question of whether he might someday compete again. Graves was medically cleared several years after stepping away, and he did physically capture the WWE 24/7 Championship in 2021. However, that title win was not an official full-scale return to regular in-ring wrestling. Since then, Graves has remained primarily identified with his broadcasting responsibilities rather than an active wrestling schedule.
That distinction remains important. Being cleared to compete and electing to undertake a real return are two very different decisions, particularly for someone whose original retirement was driven by concussion concerns. Graves did not announce a match, name a possible opponent, or indicate that an AAA appearance has been scheduled. His comments were instead a measured acknowledgment that he has been preparing physically and is open to the possibility.
Why AAA Stands Out
AAA presents a natural talking point for Graves at this stage of his career. He currently works as an announcer across WWE and AAA, giving him a direct connection to the promotion’s product and performers. His remarks suggest that, should he return to wrestling in any capacity, AAA is a place he can envision fitting into that conversation.
The family element adds another layer. Sam Adonis built a strong reputation in AAA, where he became known to audiences through his work in the promotion over multiple years. Graves openly pointed to his brother’s accomplishments as a reason the idea of entering an AAA ring appeals to him. It would offer Graves an opportunity to explore a promotion where his family name already has history while also approaching a potential comeback through a different environment than a conventional WWE match.
Still, Graves’ wording was notably cautious. He framed the prospect as something that might be fun rather than a plan that is underway. “Never say never” is not a confirmation that he will wrestle, and there is currently no announced timetable for an in-ring appearance. The comments do, however, make clear that Graves is not closing the book on his wrestling career.
Training Again Without a Formal Announcement
Perhaps the most significant part of Graves’ update was his statement that he has been back in the gym for the past several months. He described that work as an effort to see how he feels, rather than as preparation for a confirmed bout. That leaves room for a wide range of outcomes, from simply maintaining his health and testing his physical comfort level to eventually pursuing a more serious in-ring opportunity.
For a performer who has spent more than a decade away from regular matches, any return would naturally invite attention. Graves already understands the physical demands of professional wrestling, and his years as a commentator have kept him deeply immersed in the industry even while he has not been an active competitor. The question is no longer whether he has remained connected to wrestling. It is whether his renewed gym work and prior clearance will lead him to make that connection physical again.
There is also an inherent difference between participating in a brief title-related moment, as Graves did with the 24/7 Championship in 2021, and working an announced match. A sanctioned match would place a different spotlight on Graves’ conditioning, his comfort in the ring, and the level of activity he is willing to pursue after so many years as a broadcaster. Nothing in his comments suggested he is committing to a lengthy wrestling comeback, but he did offer enough to keep the possibility alive.
Graves’ Role on WWE and AAA Broadcasts
While an in-ring return remains speculative, Graves continues to be active in a major capacity behind the microphone. He serves as an announcer for WWE Raw and AAA, maintaining a visible role across both brands. That dual assignment gives him a unique position: he can help present AAA to viewers while also being part of WWE’s weekly flagship programming.
During the same interview, Graves also discussed calling a recent AAA event from Italy. The experience reflects the increasingly broad nature of modern wrestling production and Graves’ continuing involvement with AAA beyond any hypothetical match. His role is not limited to watching the promotion from a distance; he is already contributing to how its events are presented to the audience.
For now, broadcasting remains Graves’ established professional focus. His comments should not be read as an indication that he is stepping away from commentary or that a move into full-time wrestling is imminent. Instead, they add a new possibility to a career that has already taken several unexpected turns, from his forced retirement in 2014 to his later medical clearance and continued work as a high-profile announcer.
No Match Confirmed, But the Possibility Is Real
Graves has given fans a reason to imagine what an AAA appearance could look like, particularly given Sam Adonis’ history in the promotion and Graves’ own present role on AAA broadcasts. But the current reality is straightforward: no opponent, event, date, or match format has been announced.
What Graves has confirmed is that he has been working out again, he was medically cleared several years ago, and he is willing to entertain the idea of competing. For someone who once had to leave active wrestling because of concussion issues, that is a meaningful update even without a formal match announcement.
AAA may be the most intriguing destination mentioned so far, but Graves is keeping his options open rather than making a promise. His final message was appropriately simple: never say never.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.