Apollo Crews Should Be the 1st African-American to Win the WWE Title Since The Rock

By RJ Marceau

The WWE has never put full trust in a black superstar besides The Rock. Mark Henry did see success as World Heavyweight Champion but that was at a time the belt meant practically nothing and it’s not the WWE Championship. The same can be said for Booker T who held the World Heavyweight Championship but never captured the WWE Championship. Kofi Kingston and Big E had the WWE universe expecting them to win a WWE Championship but after stop and start pushes as singles competitors it seems like that ship has sailed. The WWE hasn’t had any other big black stars in the past 5 years and it seems like NXT star Apollo Crews could be the 1st to break out as a future WWE World Heavyweight Champion

​Crews made his name big on the independent scene as Uhaa Nation. He wrestled for Dragon Gate USA for 4 years before signing a developmental contract with the WWE. Crews made his WWE debut on NXT Brooklyn defeating Tye Dillinger. Crew went on to beat lower tier talent before going on to win a battle royal to become the #1 contender for the NXT Championship. Crew won the match vs. Finn Balor via DQ with Baron Corbin attacking him. There hasn’t been any announcement on what’s next for Crews but expect him vs. Corbin at NXT: London or a Fatal 4 way at NXT: London vs. Finn Balor vs. Samoa Joe vs. Baron Corbin for the NXT Championship.

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Crews has the charisma, the athletic ability, in ring action and character development to be a big star on the main roster. The only thing I would change is his finisher. It's impressive for a man weighing in the 240 pound range to do a standing moonsault but pinning viable opponents on the main roster he needs a better finisher. His character development on NXT has made me really enjoy him and I really enjoyed this weeks WWE Breaking Ground that he was featured in.

He seems like a down to earth person who strives to be the best. Apollo Crews can flourish on the main roster unless he is booked like Big E. Crews is an all around better performer then Big E so I think he can get to the main event scene and feud with Owens, Reigns, Rollins and Ambrose when he eventually gets called up. The WWE should see this as a big opportunity for them as Crews would be their biggest black star since The Rock.