Corey Graves Reveals Who Was Behind Brock Lesnar Attacking Him on WWE SmackDown

Corey Graves recently shared new details about the brutal on-screen attack from Brock Lesnar that wrote him off television in 2024, and it turns out the idea started on the same day.

Speaking on the Steel City Sunday, Graves explained that he personally suggested the angle to WWE. He needed a clean storyline exit while preparing for paternity leave.  The segment aired on WWE SmackDown on September 19, 2024. That night, Brock Lesnar decimated Graves in dramatic fashion.

Lesnar followed up with two F-5s. Graves admitted that the second F-5 left his hip sore for a while. Still, he described the experience as painful but enjoyable in hindsight.

“I actually needed paternity time, so that was a good way to write me off TV… It was the most fun I’ve ever had being in pain… I was a little stiff for a couple of days afterwards. My hip was giving me some trouble after the second F5.”

What surprised him most was how quickly the angle came together. Graves said the idea was discussed with Triple H earlier that same day. There was no long-term planning. Once approved, the segment was laid out with flexibility in mind. Graves recalled being thrown several feet through the air, comparing it to falling into a pit.

“It came about last minute, that day of the show. Brock was supposed to destroy our announce table, and I actually said to Triple H, ‘You know, I’m about to be off for a couple of weeks for the baby. What if he just killed me too?’ They batted it back and forth for a few minutes, and then said, ‘Yeah, okay, let’s do that.’ Being in the ring with Brock was how I imagine you’d feel if you fell into a tiger enclosure at the zoo. I’ve never felt power like that… I’m looking at him, and the next thing I know, I’m about ten feet in the air, looking down at the canvas, mid-air… He’s the missing link in the evolutionary chain, I think. He’s a scary, scary dude.”

At the time, Brock Lesnar was not wrestling regularly. Graves said that made the moment feel even more effective. Graves returned to WWE television in October 2025. By then, the segment had become a memorable part of Lesnar’s run.

Please credit 411Mania if you use any quotes from this article.

Corey Graves survived Brock Lesnar’s F5 on TV. First bump in years… looks like he’s really ring-ready again.#SmackDown pic.twitter.com/LZIXuW83xS

— AI Explained (@AIExplainedHQ) September 20, 2025