# Apollo Crews
**Apollo Crews** is the ring name of Sesugh Uhaa (born 1987), an American professional wrestler best known for his decade in WWE, where he is a former United States Champion and former Intercontinental Champion.[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) Before joining WWE he built his reputation on the independent circuit and in Japan under the ring name Uhaa Nation.[2](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| WWE signing | 2015, after a successful tryout camp with NXT[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/) |
| Championships | WWE United States Championship (2020); WWE Intercontinental Championship (WrestleMania 37)[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) |
| Billed stats | 6'1", 240 lbs; signature move the Spinning Sit-out Powerbomb[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) |
| Amateur background | Won a state championship in wrestling during his high school senior year[4](https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17132170/wwe-profile-page-apollo-crews) |
## Early life and training
Uhaa attended a military high school as a teenager and competed in several sports, including soccer, [American football](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-football), track and field, and amateur wrestling.[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/) • [5](https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2020/05/26/before-they-were-famous-apollo-crews/) During his senior year he won a state championship in wrestling.[4](https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17132170/wwe-profile-page-apollo-crews)
The nickname that launched his career came from a high school coach, who remarked that he was as strong as a single nation; "Uhaa Nation" stuck and became the basis for his early wrestling identity.[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/)
He began professional wrestling training at age 21 at the WWA4 school in Atlanta under Mr. Hughes ([Curtis Hughes](https://www.edgepedia.org/curtis-hughes)), a former WWF and WCW talent. In a 2015 interview he said he had left college, taken a job specifically to save up for wrestling school, and treated the choice as the best decision of his life.[2](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview) Hughes later recalled that Crews learned quickly, and that the dropkicks he taught him were among the attributes that impressed observers.[6](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2016/09/mr-hughes-talks-the-early-training-and-career-growth-of-617619/)
## Independent circuit and Japan
His profile rose sharply through Dragon Gate USA and Dragon Gate in Japan. In his own account, the Japanese tours transformed him: the schedule sometimes meant wrestling six times a week, and he credited the Dragon Gate roster with fine-tuning his skills. His first tour was alongside Neville, Ricochet, and [Rich Swann](https://www.edgepedia.org/rich-swann), and the Japan opportunity came through Dragon Gate USA; afterward he also wrestled in England, Germany, Scotland, and the Netherlands.[2](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview) The combination of a bodybuilder's physique with cruiserweight agility, including standing moonsaults and Shooting Star Presses, made him a sought-after independent attraction.[2](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview) • [7](https://lastwordonsports.com/2015/09/22/apollo-crews-blue-chip-on-his-shoulder/)
## WWE (2015–2026)
**NXT.** After a successful tryout camp, Uhaa signed with WWE's developmental system in 2015.[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/) His NXT run lasted less than a year on television before he moved to the main roster.[8](https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/apollo-crews-good-things-come-those-who-wait/)
**Main roster years.** WWE's official biography has the Georgia native rising to the main roster in 2017, where after joining Raw he aligned with [Titus O'Neil](https://www.edgepedia.org/titus-oneil)'s Titus Worldwide and scored victories including a Raw main-event match against [Braun Strowman](https://www.edgepedia.org/braun-strowman).[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) During the Titus Worldwide period his name was shortened to simply "Apollo" in early 2018.[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/) Commentary on his run has noted that his understated personality and promo work limited his momentum despite his athletic ability.[8](https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/apollo-crews-good-things-come-those-who-wait/)
**Championship success.** In 2020 Crews captured his first WWE title, the United States Championship, taking it from Andrade on May 25, 2020, and later defending it against MVP at [The Horror Show at Extreme Rules](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-horror-show-at-extreme-rules).[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) • [8](https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/apollo-crews-good-things-come-those-who-wait/) The following year he turned heel and embraced his Nigerian heritage, adopting an accent and aligning with Commander Azeez (formerly Dabba Kato). After a series of losses to Big E in Intercontinental Championship matches, he won the title from Big E in a Nigerian Drum Fight at [WrestleMania 37](https://www.edgepedia.org/wrestlemania-37) at [Raymond James Stadium](https://www.edgepedia.org/raymond-james-stadium), a match described as one of the more intense midcard matches of the pandemic era.[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) • [3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/) • [9](https://wrestlingmoments.com/content/apollo-crews-was-right-to-hate-the-accentand-right-about-it-being-his-peak/) Crews later said he had initially disliked the accent idea but came to value representing his roots on screen.[3](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/)
**Return to NXT and later career.** In 2022 Crews returned to NXT, where he chased the [NXT Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/nxt-championship), before being drafted back to Raw in 2023.[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) In January 2026 he appeared for [Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide](https://www.edgepedia.org/lucha-libre-aaa-worldwide), competing against [Jack Cartwheel](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-cartwheel), La Parka, and Aerostar in a Rey de Reyes qualifier taped in Mexico City.[10](https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/02/03/lucha-libre-aaa-worldwide-results-1-31-vetters-review-of-apollo-crews-vs-jack-cartwheel-vs-la-parka-vs-aerostar-in-a-rey-de-reyes-qualifier-dominik-mysterio-responds-to-el-hijo-del-vikingos/)
## Wrestling style and reception
Crews is billed at 6'1" and 240 pounds, and his signature move is the Spinning Sit-out Powerbomb.[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) His defining trait is athleticism unusual for his build: WWE's own profile describes "the explosive power of a warrior and the agility of a high-flyer," and his 2015 signing coverage noted that a man of his size routinely performed standing moonsaults and Shooting Star Presses.[1](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews) • [2](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview) His trainer Mr. Hughes emphasized old-school fundamentals, particularly head-targeted dropkicks, as the foundation of Crews' in-ring style.[6](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2016/09/mr-hughes-talks-the-early-training-and-career-growth-of-617619/)
Assessments of his career have consistently separated his in-ring work from his character presentation. A 2020 profile argued that his quiet, sincere personality was underdeveloped relative to his physical talent, and that his main-roster push stalled for years for lack of creative focus before his 2020 title win.[8](https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/apollo-crews-good-things-come-those-who-wait/)
## References
1. [Apollo Crews, WWE.com](https://www.wwe.com/superstars/apollo-crews)
2. [Exclusive Q&A with Sesugh 'Uhaa Nation' Uhaa, WWE.com (April 16, 2015)](https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/uhaa-nation-interview)
3. [Apollo Crews – The Heart and Hero of A Nation, ProWrestlingPost (February 15, 2024)](https://prowrestlingpost.com/apollo-crews/)
4. [WWE Profile – Apollo Crews, ESPN](https://www.espn.com/wwe/story/_/id/17132170/wwe-profile-page-apollo-crews)
5. [Before They Were Famous: Apollo Crews, Last Word On Pro Wrestling (May 26, 2020)](https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2020/05/26/before-they-were-famous-apollo-crews/)
6. [Mr. Hughes Talks The Early Training And Career Growth Of Heath Slater, Moose And Apollo Crews, Wrestling Inc (September 19, 2016)](https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2016/09/mr-hughes-talks-the-early-training-and-career-growth-of-617619/)
7. [Apollo Crews: Blue Chip On His Shoulder, Last Word On Sports (September 22, 2015)](https://lastwordonsports.com/2015/09/22/apollo-crews-blue-chip-on-his-shoulder/)
8. [Apollo Crews: Good Things Come To Those Who Wait, Fightful (July 17, 2020)](https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/apollo-crews-good-things-come-those-who-wait/)
9. [Apollo Crews was right to hate the accent, Wrestling Moments](https://wrestlingmoments.com/content/apollo-crews-was-right-to-hate-the-accentand-right-about-it-being-his-peak/)
10. [Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide results (1/31): Rey de Reyes qualifier, Pro Wrestling Dot Net (February 3, 2026)](https://prowrestling.net/site/2026/02/03/lucha-libre-aaa-worldwide-results-1-31-vetters-review-of-apollo-crews-vs-jack-cartwheel-vs-la-parka-vs-aerostar-in-a-rey-de-reyes-qualifier-dominik-mysterio-responds-to-el-hijo-del-vikingos/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Individual sports and outdoor recreation › Combat sports and professional wrestling › Professional wrestlers and stables › American wrestlers › Modern era wrestlers › WWE main roster wrestlers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license