Reason Corey Graves Replaced Mauro Ranallo On Commentary For NXT TakeOver XXX Revealed

Last night’s NXT TakeOver XXX featured Corey Graves, Vic Joseph, and Beth Phoenix on commentary. Noticeably missing from the event was Mauro Ranallo.

Mauro’s absence from last night’s NXT TakeOver XXX had many wondering where he was and why he was replaced by Corey Graves. WWE made the announcement Saturday afternoon that Corey Graves would be at the announce desk, this lead to speculation as to whether or not this was a last-minute decision.

Following last night’s NXT TakeOver XXX, Triple H participated in the post-show conference call. During the media call, Triple H talked about Mauro Ranallo’s absence, and stated that he “wasn’t available.” Triple H didn’t elaborate or reveal where Mauro was, but he did explain that Corey Graves had been “wearing him out” about returning to commentary for NXT 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.”

It wasn’t stated whether or not Graves return to the NXT announce team was a one-off, or if it was a permanent move. But it sounds like Mauro had other obligations last night, and that he will be returning to the NXT announce desk.

(h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the quote.)

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