Apollo Crews Becomes the First Nigerian Wrestler to Win the WWE United States Championship

By Olamide Oyetunji - It was a dream come true for Sesugh Uhaa popularly known as Apollo Crews as he defies all odds to become the first Nigerian to win a World Wrestling Entertainment Championship belt.

American wrestler of descent Nigeria Apollo Crews is officially the new WWE United States Champion after defeating title holder Andrade on Monday Night RAW as the show started off with a U.S Title match in the WWE Performance Center. The result of the match was a big surprise for Andrade and Zelina Vega.

Apollo Crews defeated Andrade with a standing shooting star press. After the match, he cut a promo about becoming a champion. He talked about everyone who doubted him. He addressed the people who thought that he blew his chance. Apollo then said that he never quit on himself and now he is the new United States Champion.

The 32-year-old seized the best of the moment after another opportunity to fight for the title only second best to the WWE Championship on the Red Brand by defeating El Idolo who has been causing some chaos and it is Crews’ first title run in WWE. Andrade won the title back on December 26 at the WWE live event from Madison Square Garden in New York City, by defeating Rey Mysterio.

It could be recalled that Apollo Crews had an opportunity to win the United States Championship a month ago but he landed badly twice trying to perform his signatory Moonsault move and in the process suffered a knee injury which couldn't allow him to continue the fight and subsequently confirmed his inability to compete in the main event of the last Pay Per View tagged "Money in the Bank".

His return a week ago saw him team-up with Kevin Owens in tag team action against Andrade and Angel Garza and he was able to win the match by pinfall to relaunch his opportunity for the United States Belt.

With his victory, he now edge the likes of Babatunde Aiyegbusi and Big Jordan Omogbehin who are both still learning in the developmental roster of the WWE NXT as the first and only Nigeria to be pronounced champion in the famous professional wrestling company. Ghana wrestler, Kofi Kingston remains African born superstar to be crowned WWE champion in their 68-year history when he won the top accolade in 2019.