Why Corey Graves Replaced Mauro Ranallo For WWE NXT TakeOver: XXX

Update: Click here for the reason Mauro Ranallo missed NXT TakeOver: XXX.

Original: Mauro Ranallo wasn’t on commentary during NXT TakeOver: XXX. His absence was noticeable as nobody yelled “Mama Mia” throughout the entire broadcast. Corey Graves took his spot, and he called the big night of NXT action.

Some thought that Corey Graves being pulled in to do this gig was a last-minute decision. It seemed to give some indication of that seeing how Graves was announced for the commentary role so close to the show.

During the post TakeOver conference call, Triple H explained that Mauro Ranallo “wasn’t available.” He didn’t reveal where the Bi-Polar Rock ‘n Roller was. He did say that Corey Graves has apparently been “wearing him out” about returning to NXT commentary so they made it happen for TakeOver: XXX.

“Mauro just wasn’t available tonight. Since we announced ‘TakeOver: XXX’, Corey Graves did commentary on the first one (TakeOver), and he’d been wearing me out on doing commentary for this one since we first mentioned it, and Mauro’s not available. And here we are. I thought he did a phenomenal job. I thought he, Vic and Beth did an amazing job. I thank him for being here, and thank him for wanting to be here because, like I said, he did the first one. It was so meaningful to him. Just him getting done last night and big day tomorrow.”

We’ll have to see if Mauro Ranallo returns to NXT television next week, or if Corey Graves has a new weekly gig. Hopefully, missing TakeOver was simply one-time thing because NXT fans will miss his ability to call the action in the ring.

Thanks to Wrestling Inc for the quote