Commentator Corey Graves took his first in-ring bumps in years on this week’s SmackDown after being brutally dismantled by Brock Lesnar. The former wrestler, who was forced to retire due to multiple concussions, was hit with two separate F5s by The Beast Incarnate.
The chaos erupted at the top of the broadcast from the Huntington Center in Toledo. Lesnar interrupted the show’s opening, grabbing announcer Michael Cole from the entrance aisle and carrying him to the ring. As Lesnar toyed with Cole, Graves left the commentary table and entered the ring in an attempt to talk Lesnar down.
His plea was ignored. Lesnar immediately turned his attention from Cole to Graves, hoisting the commentator onto his shoulders and planting him with an F5.
With Graves down, Lesnar grabbed a broadcast camera to deliver a chilling message directly to his opponent for tomorrow’s Wrestlepalooza event. “John, I’m coming for you! It’s D-Day tomorrow! I’m coming for blood!” Lesnar bellowed.
Still not satisfied, Lesnar exited the ring only to return moments later. He cleared the ring of officials who were checking on Graves, hoisted him up, and delivered a second F5 as the crowd chanted, “one more time.” Lesnar finally made his exit to a chorus of boos, leaving a lasting image of destruction just 24 hours before he is set to face John Cena in one of Cena’s final WWE matches. For Graves, who has previously stated a desire to potentially wrestle again, it was a violent and unexpected return to the mat.