Apollo Crews
A powerhouse athlete of Nigerian descent who combined breathtaking agility with raw strength to claim championship gold in WWE.
Born 1987 (age 39)·American professional wrestler·Birthday: August 22·Millennials
Biography
Apollo Crews, born Sesugh Uhaa, brought a unique athletic pedigree to the wrestling world. A standout amateur wrestler and bodybuilder, his explosive power and acrobatic agility made him a standout on the independent circuit, where he built a fervent following. Signed by WWE, the Crews character was initially presented as a smiling, pure athlete, but it was a later, more intense persona that unlocked his potential. Embracing his Nigerian heritage as part of his identity, he found a sharper edge. This evolution culminated in a career-defining moment when he defeated the dominant Bobby Lashley to win the Intercontinental Championship, a victory that finally matched his in-ring prowess with meaningful narrative stakes.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Apollo was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Apollo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Apollo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the WWE Intercontinental Championship by defeating Bobby Lashley at WrestleMania Backlash in 2021.
- Captured the WWE United States Championship in 2020 during his first run on the SmackDown brand.
- Was a highly touted recruit from the independent wrestling scene, where he performed for promotions like Dragon Gate USA.
Did You Know?
He was a state champion wrestler in high school in Stone Mountain, Georgia.
Crews is fluent in English and Japanese, the latter learned during his time wrestling in Japan.
He is a certified personal trainer and worked in that field before his professional wrestling career took off.
“My strength is my story, and my story is just beginning.”
