Apollo Crews Comments On WWE Release After 11 Years In The Company: ‘All Things Come To An End, This Is My Time’

WWE

Former Intercontinental and United States Champion Apollo Crews has commented for the first time since his WWE release on Friday, April 24.

Ahead of the much anticipated Friday Night SmackDown after WrestleMania 42, news began to get out of a wave of WWE talent releases, with the eventual total number of cuts amounting to 24.

One of the most tenured names on the list of cuts which featured the entire Wyatt Sicks faction (Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis & Joe Gacy), Aleister Black, Zelina and Kairi Sane, was Apollo Crews, who first debuted in WWE in 2015.

Two days following his departure, Crews took to Instagram to thank fans and everyone he shared a ring with in WWE over the past 11 years.

Crews wrote:

Thank you, @wwe, for eleven incredible years. Wow. Eleven years. What an incredible journey. I feel blessed to have had a career in WWE that lasted that long. Thanks to everyone who sent me messages or texts. Even if I didn’t reply, just know I’m grateful.

Throughout my career, I was fortunate to suffer only one serious injury that sidelined me for a significant amount of time. I’ve been lucky to experience many amazing moments during my time with WWE. It’s been a fun ride, and I appreciate everyone who supported me along the way.
To everyone I shared the ring with… thank you.

All things come to an end. This is my time.

After sitting out almost the entirety of 2025 due to a torn pectoral injury, Apollo Crews returned to action in a dark match in AAA in November, before eventually reemerging on WWE programming two months later.

While he had been seen on SmackDown on occasion, typically alongside Matt Cardona, much of his in-ring action in 2026 has been on WWE Main Event.

His last match in the company – a loss to AAA’s Mr. Iguana – came during the April 17 taping of Main Event, but aired on the same day of his release on April 24.

What Next For Apollo Crews?

11 years in WWE is an achievement in of itself and Apollo Crews has certainly achieved great success at points throughout his career, however, many fans would argue that his potential was never truly reached.

Easily one of WWE’s best athletes, Crews spent much of his career without a character or real opportunity to show what he could so outside of deliver inside the ring.

That’s why, at still only 38 years old, this chapter outside of WWE could be one of his most exciting yet. With no shortage of promotions that will likely want to book him, Crews may get the chance to reinvent himself on the independent scene or perhaps somewhere like TNA or AEW.

Regardless of where he ends up, exciting possibilities certainly lie ahead for Uhaa Nation.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• apollo crews
• wwe
• Release

Share this article with friends