TRENDING GLOBALLY:
Nigerian Wrestler, 29, Apollo Crew Make Waves in WWE…Born in California to Nigerian Father, Ugandan Mother
*Untold Success story of his Rise to Stardom, Real Name: Shesugh Uhaa
*How his Military High School Experience Helped him
*Trained Under Curtis ‘Mr Hughes at World Wrestling Alliance 4 in Atlanta
*Fans Celebrate Main Roaster Debut Victory on Monday Night Raw over Tyler Breeze
* “Wrestling Is My Life, I’m Living My Dreams”-Apollo Crew
*FACTS: Height is 6t 1 Inch (1.85m), Weight is 240lb (110kg), Debut August 17, 2009 as Wrestler
BY GEORGE ELIJAH OTUMU/CNNiReport Journalist North America
HIS real name is Shesugh Uhaa, given to him by his Nigerian father and Ugandan mother. He was born in Sacramento, California 28 years ago. He was raised in Atlanta, Georgia and at his early age, he fell in love with Wrestling. In serious determination to fulfill his dream he became an ardent fan of performers such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock and especially Kurt Angle. He attended a Military High School and began practicing various sports, including soccer, football, track and field. He never lose focus of his Wrestling aspiration, during his military education and lifestyle, as he avoided scandal of any sort. He was calm, humble and cool-headed. Due to his outstanding athletic built and weight training in high school, he was nicknamed ‘Uhaa Nation,’ when his coach then observed that he was ‘as strong as a single nation’. He was reported to have recently said: “Wrestling is my life and I am happy my dream has come through in WWE.”
Nigerian Wrestler, 29, Apollo Crew Make Waves in WWE
‘Uhaa Nation’ aspiration has always been to someday feature on permanent list of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) owned by Vince McMahon, which is also the dream of any wrestler in the world. His recent call to permanent roster on Monday Night raw after WrestleMania became the turning point of his career in wrestling, as providence thrust on him an ‘A list’ wrestler responsibility.
He fought with all his power, energy, sense and style and made his Monday Night Raw debut the talked of the town in the way he trounced and whipped Tyler Breeze kissing the canvass. ‘Uhaa Nation’ displayed a rare mix of power, agility and formula to convincingly trounced Tyler Breeze. That singular step mark his journey into international fame, wealth and stardom.
Untold Success story of his Rise to Stardom
After he finished college, Uhaa quickly got a job in order to pay for his professional wrestling training. He began training at the age of 21 under Curtis “Mr.” Hughesat his World Wrestling Alliance 4 (WWA4) promotion’s training school in Atlanta.
There he made his wrestling debut under the ring name Uhaa Nation on August 17, 2009 where he spent over a year working mainly for small promotions on the Georgian independent circuit, but also made trips to Houston, Texas-based Pro Wrestling Alliance (PWA) and Phenix City, Alabama-based Great Championship Wrestling (GCW), often working with fellow WWA4 trainee AR, he never lost focus. He kept his eyes on his dream.
In October 2014, Uhaa took part in a WWE tryout camp, which resulted in him being offered a developmental contract which started on December 31, 2014. He agreed to the contract terms of WWE.
Uhaa reported to WWE Performance Center, the home of their NXT developmental brand on April 6, 2015.
Providence again smiled on him when WWE officially announced Uhaa as part of a new class of NXT recruits in a press release on April 13. Uhaa made his first televised appearance on the May 6 episode of NXT, signing an NXT contract in a segment with William Regal. This was followed by a vignette promoting his upcoming debut. Uhaa started working in NXT house shows the following month, retaining the Uhaa Nation ring name.
On August 5, it was announced that Uhaa, now working under the new ring name “Apollo Crews”, would be making his televised NXT debut on August 22 at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn. Crews, however, ended up making his debut at the August 13 tapings, which would air after NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, defeating Martin Stone. At NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn, Crews defeated Tye Dillinger in his official debut match. At the October 8 tapings of NXT, Crews won a battle royal to become the #1 contender to the NXT Championship.
Crews received his title shot against Finn Bálor on October 22. Crews won the match via disqualification, which meant that Bálor retained his title, when he was attacked by Baron Corbin, who held a grudge against Crews for eliminating him from the number one contender’s battle royal. The rivalry between Crews and Corbin led to a match on December 16 at NXT TakeOver: London, which Corbin won. Crews had a small feud with Elias Samson after he saved Johnny Gargano from Elias’ assault on the March 23 NXT. The two would subsequently have a match on the April 6 NXT, which was won by Crews.
On April 4, 2016, Crews made his main roster debut on Raw in a victory over Tyler Breeze. Crews then entered a feud with the Social Outcasts, defeating each member of the stable, culminating in a match on the April 18 Raw. Prior to the match, Crews agreed to join the Social Outcasts if any member of the stable could beat him. As part of the agreement, the Social Outcasts also agreed to leave Crews alone, should he be victorious in the match. Crews then went on to defeat Heath Slater to end the feud.
Today, Crews has become the only Nigerian on the roster of WWE making Africa’s most populous nation in Africa proud by his domineering, excellent skills and performance as a global wrestler without a single scandal traceable to his name, reputation and integrity.
Naija guyz will alwayz shake the world, I love u Apollo Crews.
What about Babatunde Aiyegbusi @babsaiyegbusi ?! This giant in WWE /NXT is half Polish and half Nigerian. He will be superstar soon! Check him out.
where exactly is apollo crews from in nigeria?
Apollo Crew’s father is from South-South Nigeria