If you haven’t heard of Apollo Crews then you might have heard about Uhaa Nation, if you haven’t heard about Uhaa Nation, then where have you been?
Uhaa Nation began his wrestling career in 2009 and his real name is Sesugh Uhaa. Born in Sacramento, California, Uhaa fell in love with wrestling at an early age and became a huge fan of Stone Cold, The Rock and Especially Kurt Angle. Sesugh Uhaa got his future wrestling name of “Uhaa Nation” after his coach in high school noticed he was “as strong as a single nation”. Clever right!
After college and his stint in the military high school, Uhaa quickly started to pay for this professional and wrestling training. He began by training under Curtis “Mr.” Hughes at the World Wrestling Alliance 4 (WWA4) promotions training school in Atlanta, Georgia. Uhaa made his wrestling debut on August 17, 2009 and spent a year working for small promotions on the Georgian independent circuit.
After honing his crafts in Georgia, Texas and Phenix City, in the autumn of 2011 Uhaa took part in a try-out held by the Dragon Gate USA promotion. Uhaa made such a strong impression that was immediately signed for both Dragon Gate USA and their parent promotion, Dragon Gate, as well as close affiliates Evolve and Full Impact Pro. On September 9th 2011 on the same day he signed, Uhaa Nation made his Dragon Gate USA debut defeating Aaron Draven in a squash match. He would go on to made his pay-per-view debut at Untouchable 2011, where he answered Brodie Lee’s open challenge, also dominating until Lee ran out of the arena. Uhaa Nation would continue to work until being involved in his first story-line. He was being asked to join multiple Dragon Gate USA stables, and eventually made his choice by joining the Villainous Blood Warriors. Uhaa ended the year undefeated and was voted the Best Newcomer of the year. He finished second in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter’s award for Rookie of the Year.
Uhaa would continue wrestling in the US until he suffered a knee injury during a match. He didn’t return until February 1, 2013, at a Full Impact Pro’s iPPV. He would continue to wrestle for the US promotion of Dragon Gate and suffered his first loss on May 11, 2013. Uhaa would get two shots at the Dragon Gate Championship, both he lost. After his second loss when fighting for the Dragon Gate title, Uhaa made the announcement he would be leaving the promotion. He didn’t state his eventual location but rumours surfaced of a deal with WWE.
In October 2014, Uhaa took part in a WWE try-out camp, which resulted in him being offered a developmental contract on the spot. Two months later sources stated that Uhaa had signed a full time professional contract. On April 6, 2015, Uhaa made his first appearance for NXT when WWE officially announced him as part of the new class of NXT recruits. On May 6 Uhaa made his first television appearance when signing his NXT contract with William Regal. We would be welcomed by multiple vignettes hyping up Uhaa Nation’s upcoming debut. He would make multiple NXT house show appearances under the name Uhaa Nation. On August 5, 2015, it was announced that Uhaa would be working under the new ring name of “Apollo Crews”. He would eventually make his NXT debut at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn.
The hype for this wrestler is well deserved. He is agile, has an incredible move set and a look that speaks for itself. He holds a similar frame to that of Ezekiel Jackson and Bobby Lashley but with the athleticism of Neville. He is one for the future and a potential future WWE Champion. Don’t be surprised to see him rise to the top if the NXT title where to change hands in the coming months. Is he the NXT big thing? I definitely believe so. He has personality, charisma, excellent move set and a look that the fans can get behind. He’s been one of the quickest rises in the independent circuit and is highly regarded as having a strong future.
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