Expectation are always high on the Raw after WrestleMania. This year’s WrestleMania has been one of most satisfactory PPV in recent times. With the major legends making an appearance, surprise winners and revelations and many breathtaking moments, WrestleMania 32 made it big despite it’s few misgivings.
Huge pressure was on the shoulders of WWE when they headed into this week’s Raw, and they didn’t disappoint. As with the Raw after WresteMania always, this week’s Raw also featured a great number of NXT debuts. Among the popular names that made their debut in this week’s Raw, one name stood tall as a mountain and that is Apollo Crews.
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Fans and followers of NXT may know how great an in-ring worker he is. But there are few facts about this powerhouse that very few know about. Here are the most juiciest facts that a wrestling fan needs to know about Apollo Crews.
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5. His love for professional wrestling
Apollo Crews said in an interview that the first wrestling match he saw was The Undertaker taking on The Ultimate Warrior. Ironically, two giants of WWE were the ones to usher this giant of a man to love professional wrestling. Crews had noted how awed he was watching these two larger-than-life legends wrestle.
Like many of the wrestlers in WWE, to become a WWE wrestler was Apollo Crews’ dream. As with many wrestlers, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock were the reasons for him to fall in love with wrestling. But it was the olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle who inspired him to pursue the dream of becoming a professional wrestler.
Apollo Crews is a big fan of Kurt Angle’s work in WWE. He was influenced with Kurt’s work so much that he laced up his boots to become a professional wrestler. Facing Kurt Angle is Apollo Crews’ dream. Personaly, I would love to see that dream match for the various reversals the match would employ.
4. His childhood
If you have ever watched Apollo Crews in the ring, the most notable thing you would find his his athleticism and agility. Apollo Crews is a big man, but strangely his moveset contains a lot of moves that are much suited for cruiserweight divison. His agility is a of his childhood experiences.
Apollo Crews was a child gymnast. Even though it is hard to believe that this big man was a gymnast once, the truth is evident in his high flying style of wrestling. His moonsaults and high flying offense are delight to watch.
Moreover, another interesting thing about Apollo Crews’ childhood is that he went to military school. His sister is in United States Army too.
3. He is a Manchester United fan
Fans of ManU rejoice! Apollo Crews is an avid fan of Manchester United.
Apollo Crews has always been liberal with his love for football. Unlike many wrestlers, Apollo Crews has also played a decent amount of soccer in his schooldays. It is just not him. Lex Luger, Rey Mysterio and MVP are also big Manchester United fans.
Moreover, Apollo Crews is personnal friends with fellow professional wrestlers like Kevin Owens, Finn Balor, Chris Masters & Ricochet. ?He was also trained by Mr.Hughes, who was famous for his Chris Jericho’s bodyguard gimmick.
2. His independent ring name was given by his weight coach
Sesugh Uhaa(his realname) has not always been known as Apollo Crews. Before he debuted in NXT, he was popularly known by his independent wrestling ring name “Uhaa Nation”, which means as strong as a nation.
It was an apt name for a powerful wrestler like Apollo Crews. When he was in high school, his weight coach used to call him with that name, stating that he was as strong as an entire nation. Apollo Crews used it as his independent scene ring name. His mix of high flying style and power packed moves soon made the name to be echoed in independent wrestling halls.
1. His accomplishments
Apollo Crews is quite an accomplished wrestler in the independent scene. He has won various titles in the independent scene while he was working for wrestling promotions based out of Georgia and Japan. Here are some of his accomplishments.
- FIP Florida Heritage Champion (1 time)
- GCW Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- PCW Heavyweight Champion (1 time)
- Open the Twin Gate Champion with BxB Hulk (1 time)
Moreover, he was ranked by Pro Wrestling illustraded at #155 in their list of best singles wrestlers in 2012. He was also awarded the Best Newcomer in 2011 by Dragon Gate wrestling promotion.
