Mark Madden's Hot Take: WWE's Monday Night Raw color men from Western PA at center of debate

Pittsburgh has a rich pro wrestling tradition: Kurt Angle, Bruno Sammartino, Larry Zbyszko, Shane Douglas, me.

But now, internal debate in WWE involves two Pittsburgh-born talents: Pat McAfee and Corey Graves.

Plum’s McAfee had been the color analyst on flagship telecast Monday Night Raw since January. He succeeded Monroeville’s Graves, who had the spot since July 2024. Before Graves, it was McAfee. (There’s obviously not a great deal of stability regarding these positions.)

McAfee has missed the last four editions of Raw, including this past Monday at PPG Paints Arena. That last absence was odd: McAfee would have got a huge pop in Pittsburgh.

McAfee is a bigger name than Graves because of his national platform on ESPN. That’s multiplied locally. McAfee drew 12,582 when he hosted his version of a variety show at PPG Paints Arena in April.

McAfee said WWE gave him time off to “recharge his batteries.”

That may be true. But it would be unlike WWE’s typical philosophy for all but the biggest stars. (Perhaps that’s how they see McAfee.)

It’s more likely they’re testing the show without McAfee, and with Graves. (But there’s been plenty of sample in that regard.)

There’s a clear-cut difference between McAfee and Graves.

Graves’ style gets the product and the wrestlers over. He tells stories and furthers the product. He has nuance.

McAfee gets himself over. He promotes himself. He’s got one volume: LOUD. That’s his style 24/7. He can’t help it. He’s a narcissist. It’s served him very well.

Graves is better at the job.

McAfee’s fame casts a wider net and, in theory, brings in a bigger audience. But that can’t be directly measured.

So, it’s a matter of priorities.

When Graves was most recently replaced by McAfee on Raw and sent to developmental promotion NXT, he reacted poorly and publicly. But Graves since put his head down and let his talent dictate.

When I did color for World Championship Wrestling, my style was closer to McAfee’s.

That’s why I’d pick Graves.