Kevin Owens filling in for Corey Graves on WWE SmackDown commentary

With Corey Graves away, Kevin Owens will be filling in on WWE SmackDown commentary tonight.

WWE has announced that Owens will be calling tonight’s show alongside Michael Cole and Kevin Patrick. The company posted a video where SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis agreed to let Owens fill in for Graves tonight. But Aldis said that, if Owens puts his hands on anyone, he’ll be suspended.

Graves (Matthew Polinsky) and Carmella (Leah Van Dale) welcomed their son Dimitri Paul Polinsky into the world this Wednesday. Carmella was in labor for 60 hours before the baby was born.

This is Graves and Carmella’s first child together. Carmella is also a stepmother to Graves’ three children from a previous marriage.

Backstage interviewer Kayla Braxton also won’t be on SmackDown tonight. Braxton noted that she’s under the weather and has no voice.

“Little under the weather today and have zero voice, so I won’t be at SD tonight,” Braxton wrote. “Only way I would be able to interview anyone is if I mimed… which would actually be pretty entertaining. Anyway, I’m on the mend and I’ll be back next week! Happy Friday everyone!”

Owens moved to the SmackDown roster this October as trade compensation for Jey Uso going to Raw. On last Friday’s SmackDown, Owens defeated Austin Theory.

Tonight is the first SmackDown since Crown Jewel. The episode is taking place from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

Two matches and one segment have been announced for the show:

  • LA Knight vs. Grayson Waller
  • Carlito vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Bayley will address the future of Damage CTRL
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Joseph Currier
Joseph Currier

Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.

In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.