WWE Releases Former Intercontinental and United States Champion Apollo Crews

WWE conducted a long series of roster cuts on Friday, including the release of a former Intercontinental and United States Champion.

According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com, WWE veteran Apollo Crews is among the many superstars released from his contract. The 38-year-old had been with the company since 2015.

Sapp reports that Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, Nikki Cross, Zelina Vega, Uncle Howdy/Bo Dallas and Erick Rowan are among the other superstars to have been let go. The significant roster cuts come just five days after WWE completed its flagship program, WrestleMania.

Though the company cut more than a dozen talents, Crews' name stands out here. He began working for the NXT developmental brand in 2015, months before his 28th birthday.

Crews won his first title on the main roster during the May 25, 2020, episode of Monday Night Raw, defeating Andrade to win the United States Championship. His reign ended with a loss to Bobby Lashley at the ensuing Payback pay-per-view.

Arguably the biggest moment of Crews' tenure on the main roster occurred at night two of WrestleMania 37, when he defeated Big E in a Nigerian Drum Fight to win the Intercontinental Championship.

Apollo Crews Should Another Opportunity Very Soon

Crews was never a main event performer in WWE, but he still developed a relatively large fanbase during his tenures in NXT and on the main roster. It says enough that he won both the United States and Intercontinental Championships in short periods.

The good news is that with his career resume and accomplishments, Crews should quickly generate interest from other promotions. Obviously, AEW immediately stands out as a logical landing spot, given their penchant of adding former WWE talents once they leave the company.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Apr 25, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 6:08 PM.