Cewsh Scouts NXT 2013: The Champions - Part 1

Corey Graves (NXT Tag Team Champion)

Pros:

- Unique look- Very comfortable on the microphone- Ready made catchphrase

Cons:

- Not exciting to watch- Better in solo promos than face to face- Has a tendency to come off like CM Punk-lite

Last Year’s Analysis:

Cewsh: If he makes it in WWE, you can slap me with a fish. Seriously. It isn’t going to happen. His look is just outright off putting, his skills lend him towards being a tag team specialist in an age when those aren’t in hugely high demand, and he hasn’t even done any real character work that I could tell you about. If you were wondering who the bottom of the NXT barrel is, you’re looking at him.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: F

Ready For Main Roster: No

Cewsh: Please don’t slap me with a fish.

The single most common complaint that we got on our scouting report last year was about Corey Graves. The man has supporters all over these fair internets, and while I couldn’t figure out why for the life of me at the time, Graves has really blossomed since the change in format to NXT. He’s a comfortable talker, his look stands out, and he clearly has the support of the office because he is one of the 5 or so most pushed people in developmental.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on the main roster sooner, rather than later. But even saying that, a lot of my reservations from last time remain, if not quite so severe as before. His matches are not involving, which is worrying in a performer with so much experience under his belt, and I find that he gets overshadowed very easily around other charismatic performers. I don’t think that’s something that he’ll be able to fix in NXT, but it makes him a risky call up for the main roster. So does he belong there? Let’s say that I think that he’s as ready as he will ever get.

I’m not quite certain what the future holds for Graves. But it certainly does seem like I’m being forced to eat my words. And my fish.

Cewsh’s Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: Yes

Artie: Corey Graves has the face of douche, personality of an a**hole, and character of a d***. He’s one of those guys that you don’t want to like, but you’re almost always interested in watching. Character-wise, he seems to have it all there from the punk-rock haircut, tattoos, cut-off denim, right on down to the rights. His in-ring style is nothing special, but he does seem to be a fairly good seller.

One of the more interesting characters in NXT, I’d say he’s nowhere near ready for the main roster yet, but with another year or two to learn more about adapting his character into his ring psychology and picking up his promo game, he could be golden.

Artie’s Prospect Grade: C

Dennis: Corey Graves is one of my favorites in NXT. He has an incredible look, and some slick moves. However, with that said, he also needs promo work and still hasn’t reached his full potential in the ring, I think. I love the character, and I enjoy his matches. But he’s still got some work to do.

Dennis’ Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: Not yet.

Psycho: I had some hurtful words for Mr. Graves last time around, and I don’t necessarily take all of them back. The good thing is they’ve found a character and look that diminishes the “High School Creeper” look, and his wrestling abilities have shined through as he’s evolved.

On the stick, he can be a tad formulaic, and the “STAY DOWN” catch-phrase is often a miss rather than a hit, but he holds his own better than those who can not even claim to have a personality. I still struggle to see a long-term WWE career for the man, but he pours his heart into this business, and it’s beginning to show.

Psycho’s Prospect Grade: C

Ready For Main Roster: No

Well that will do it for part one of our breakdown of the NXT roster. Tune in tomorrow to check out 4 more in depth scouting reports from our varied panel of wrestling scientists, and don’t forget to check out NXT on Hulu so you can see the future of WWE for yourself. Until next time, fellow C.O.C.K.s.