Apollo Crews Breaks Silence on WWE Release After 11-Year Run

Apollo Crews is finally speaking out after his release—and his message is now the biggest development following WWE’s latest round of roster cuts.

After reports confirmed that Crews was part of the April 24 releases, the former United States and Intercontinental Champion stayed quiet for a couple of days. That changed on April 26, 2026, when he took to Instagram to address his exit directly, reflecting on his long run with the company and what it meant to him. Crews opened his statement by looking back on his time in WWE, stating just how long the journey lasted and how much it meant to him.

“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.”

He then spoke about his time in the ring, pointing out how fortunate he was to avoid major injuries for most of his career while still experiencing key moments along the way. Crews also made sure to acknowledge the wrestlers he worked with over the years, keeping the tone focused on gratitude rather than frustration.

“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.”

Apollo Crews closed his message with a short but telling line that makes it very clear that he’s ready for whatever comes next.

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

Crews’ statement comes after his release as part of the latest round of releases, which affected multiple talents across the roster. The 38-year-old had been with the company since 2014, working across NXT, Raw, and SmackDown, and capturing both the United States and Intercontinental Championships during his run.

His exit followed a recent return from injury, as he had worked his way back into action after suffering a torn pectoral muscle earlier in 2025. His final WWE appearance came during a taping of Main Event ahead of SmackDown in the lead-up to WrestleMania. For now, Crews’ message doesn’t reveal what’s next—but it makes one thing clear: he’s closing this chapter on his own terms.

Do you think Apollo Crews should have been given another run in WWE, or was it the right time for both sides to move on? Drop your thoughts and let us know.