Carmella recently took to social media to express her disappointment regarding the brief paternity leave her husband, WWE commentator Corey Graves, was granted following the birth of their second child, Bram Julian Polinsky, in October 2025. Despite welcoming their son, Graves had to return to WWE commentary duties just days after leaving the hospital, sparking a wider conversation about WWE’s paternity leave policies.
The Reality Behind Corey Graves’ Quick Return
Corey Graves’ paternity leave began a week ahead of Bram’s due date, anticipating the arrival. However, Bram was born later than expected, which compressed the time Graves could remain off work after the birth. Carmella explained on her Instagram Stories that while Graves was able to be present for the birth, he had to return to WWE about five days after they came home from the hospital. “His paternity leave started a week early, and since Bram was past his due date, by the time he was born, Matt had to go back to work,” she stated. “He had to go back like five days after we came home from the hospital, which sucks”[1][2].
According to Carmella, this tight schedule felt insufficient, especially during such a crucial family period. She added, “I still think he should have way more time off than just five days after the baby’s born. That’s crazy, but you gotta do what you gotta do.” She acknowledged the difficult balance of wanting Graves present for the birth while also wanting him to have more postpartum family time, emphasizing the need for compromise given WWE’s demands[1].
WWE’s Paternity Leave Policy: Shrouded in Mystery
WWE has not publicly disclosed the specifics of its paternity leave policy, leading to speculation about how much flexibility employees, especially talent and on-screen personalities, have when starting families. Sources close to WWE indicate that paternity leave policies vary and might depend on individual contracts or creative scheduling.
A WWE insider shared, “WWE strives to support their talent and staff as best as they can, but the intense weekly schedule and live commitments often limit extended leaves. Commentary teams and performers may get short windows depending on storyline needs and roster availability”[1].
This particular instance has brought heightened attention to the company’s family leave provisions, with fans and commentators debating the adequacy of the support WWE offers its employees during significant life events.
Carmella’s Personal Journey and Family Life
Carmella’s candor about this issue is rooted in her own experiences as a mother. Over the years, she has shared vulnerable moments publicly, including her struggles with an ectopic pregnancy and a miscarriage, which deepened her connection to motherhood and family care. Her advocacy for more paternity leave aligns with a growing call within professional sports and entertainment industries for better family support.
Meanwhile, Corey Graves has resumed his regular commentary role on WWE Raw and SmackDown immediately after his short leave, demonstrating WWE’s quick turnaround expectations even for its non-wrestling talent[1][2].
Backstage Perspectives on the Situation
Wrestling insiders suggest that while WWE values family, the nature of the business—especially the live weekly broadcasts and pay-per-view events—makes long leaves challenging. A backstage source commented, “It’s not that WWE doesn’t want to give more time off, but the schedule is relentless. Commentators like Corey Graves are integral to broadcasts, so replacements are limited. They do what they can, but sometimes it feels like the system needs updating to keep pace with modern workplace norms.”
This incident could act as a catalyst for discussing more comprehensive paternity and maternity leave policies in wrestling organizations, possibly influencing future changes within WWE or beyond[1].
The Broader Conversation About Family Leave in WWE
Carmella’s post has sparked responses online, highlighting fan empathy towards the challenges faced by wrestling families and the unique pressure WWE talent endure balancing personal milestones with professional obligations. It also shines a light on how WWE’s policies compare to other major sports leagues and entertainment companies, many of which have expanded family leave options in recent years.
Experts in employment and sports labor rights acknowledge that the demanding nature of wrestling makes extended leaves tricky but emphasize the importance of evolving policies to protect talent welfare and family health.
Conclusion
Carmella’s criticism of WWE’s short paternity leave granted to Corey Graves underscores the challenges many wrestling professionals face balancing work and family life. While Graves was fortunate to witness the birth of his son, the rapid return to work just days after highlights perceived gaps in WWE’s family leave benefits. This situation may prompt internal conversations at WWE about updating policies to support parental leave more effectively in the future.
As Carmella said, “We had to compromise,” but for many, the hope is that compromises like this will become less necessary as professional wrestling organizations adjust to better support their talent’s personal lives[1][2].
“WWE wants to retain its top talent and keep them healthy and happy, but the reality of live TV and weekly shows limits how much time off can be given,” explained an anonymous WWE source[1]. This balancing act between business demands and family needs remains a key topic among WWE personnel and fans alike.