Apollo Crews may be done waiting around, because it sounds like TNA is ready to throw him right into the fire.
According to PWInsider, there is an internal expectation backstage that the former WWE Intercontinental and United States Champion will debut for TNA at Slammiversary today. And this would not be some quick wave-to-the-crowd situation either, because Crews is expected to face Mustafa Ali for the TNA International Title by answering his open challenge.
That is a pretty big landing spot for someone fresh off a WWE run. Crews had already been linked to TNA after WrestleVotes Radio reported that the company had discussed him internally once his WWE non-compete expired, but now it sounds like those talks may have turned into something real.
“Prior to the seemingly ever changing landscape of the past week, we have heard some chatter regarding TNA having interest in Apollo Crews once his WWE non compete clause expires. While it is unclear where things currently stand amid recent developments, sources indicated that Crews had been discussed internally as a potential roster addition for later this year when he becomes available.”
The interesting wrinkle here is the name. It is unclear whether he will use Apollo Crews in TNA or go back to Uhaa Nation, the name he used before signing with WWE. Either way, TNA fans may be getting a familiar face with a fresh coat of paint.
And if he really walks into Slammiversary and challenges Ali for gold right away, that says plenty about how TNA views him. Joey Votes previously said Crews would not need to hang around the bottom of the card if he arrived there: “He can go right to the top there.”
Crews spent years in WWE and picked up Intercontinental and United States Title wins, but he never became the consistent top guy many fans thought he could be. TNA could give him the reset WWE never fully committed to, and a title match with Mustafa Ali would be one hell of a way to start. So now all eyes are on Slammiversary. If this report plays out, Apollo Crews could go from former WWE name to instant TNA title challenger in one night.
Do you think Apollo Crews should debut by challenging Mustafa Ali for the TNA International Title? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
