Corey Graves Siblings: All About Samuel Elias Polinsky
Wrestler Corey Graves PHOTO/Sports Illustrated
Matthew Polinsky, better known by his ring name Corey Graves, stands as one of the most recognizable voices in professional wrestling today.
Born on February 24, 1984, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Polinsky grew up immersed in the world of wrestling, influenced by his family’s deep ties to the industry.
His father, Dan Polinsky, was a prominent wrestling promoter who organized events in the Pittsburgh area.
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing around 205 pounds during his active wrestling days, Graves embodied the gritty, no-nonsense style often associated with Midwestern and East Coast independents.
Married to former WWE Superstar Carmella (Leah Van Dale) since 2022, Graves is a father to four children, including son Dimitri from his current marriage and three from a previous relationship.
Siblings
Corey has a younger brother, Samuel Elias Polinsky, who performs under the ring name Sam Adonis.
Born on August 9, 1989, Sam is five years Graves’ junior and has carved out his own path in professional wrestling, often drawing comparisons to his brother’s early career due to their shared family legacy.
Like Corey, Sam was exposed to the business from a young age, thanks to their father’s promotional work in Pittsburgh, which included booking shows featuring top talents of the era.
Sam Adonis debuted in the mid-2000s on the independent circuit, initially wrestling under names like Buddy Stretcher before adopting his current persona, known for its flamboyant heel character and pro-Trump gimmick during stints in Mexico’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL).
He briefly signed with WWE in 2011 alongside his brother but was released just two days later, prompting him to build a resume across promotions like TNA, Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, and Major League Wrestling (MLW), where he signed in 2022.
Adonis has competed internationally, becoming a standout rudo in Mexico with his towering physique and charismatic promos.
Career
Graves’ journey in professional wrestling began in 2000 at the age of 16, training under local Pittsburgh promotions before hitting the independent circuit full-time as Sterling James Keenan, a nod to his early inspirations.
By the mid-2000s, he was a fixture in promotions like NWA East, Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), and Independent Wrestling Association Mid-South, where his technical prowess and promo skills earned him a reputation as a reliable midcard talent.
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Graves made brief WWE appearances in 2006 and 2007 but signed a developmental contract in August 2011, debuting in Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) as Corey Graves.
His early WWE run saw him transition to the rebranded NXT, where he feuded with rising stars like Dean Ambrose and teamed with Adrian Neville to capture tag team gold.
However, a series of concussions forced his retirement from in-ring competition in 2014, with his final match occurring at WrestleMania Axxess against Troy McClain.
Undeterred, Graves pivoted seamlessly to commentary, debuting at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution alongside Mauro Ranallo.
His raw, opinionated style quickly elevated him to the main roster, calling matches on Raw and SmackDown from 2016 onward, often as the sole voice bridging both brands after JBL’s departure.
Graves briefly held the WWE 24/7 Championship in a comedic 2019 spot and expanded into media with his WWE After the Bell podcast in 2019, WWE Network’s Culture Shock series, and columns for Alternative Press blending wrestling and music.
Recent years have seen him navigate brand shifts, including a temporary return to NXT commentary in 2025 amid WWE’s Netflix transition, and collaborations like calling WWE-AAA Worlds Collide events.
Accolades
As an in-ring competitor, Graves’ independent accolades include the NWA East Tag Team Championship with Mad Mike, the IWC World Heavyweight Championship, two IWC Super Indy Championships, the NWA East Heavyweight Championship, the AIW Absolute Championship, the NWA North American Tag Team Championship with Brandon K, and the FCW Florida Tag Team Championship with Jake Carter.
In WWE’s developmental system, he secured the NXT Tag Team Championship alongside Adrian Neville in 2013, defending it against top teams and solidifying his status as a cornerstone of the brand’s early golden era.
Post-retirement, Graves briefly captured the WWE 24/7 Championship in 2019 during its chaotic inception, pinning Drake Maverick in a surprise roll-up that showcased his opportunistic flair even from the announce desk.
His commentary work has drawn widespread acclaim, with WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson lauding his “cool look” and “inside baseball” savvy that caters to smart fans, while Eric Bischoff has called him “unique” for his vibe and weekly storytelling mastery.
Graves’ media ventures earned him features in ESPN’s E:60 documentary “WWE: Behind the Curtain” and a monthly column in Alternative Press from 2015 to 2016.
He broke barriers as the first commentator to work both Raw and SmackDown simultaneously in 2017 and continues to host high-profile events, including WWE’s 2025 Worlds Collide crossover with AAA.