Apollo Crews is officially back in WWE action.
Before the January 2, 2026 episode of SmackDown aired live from Buffalo, New York, Crews competed in his first WWE match in nearly a year, taking on Talla Tonga in a bout taped for WWE Main Event. Tonga scored the win, but the real story is that Crews is finally back inside a WWE ring after a long road to recovery.
This marked Crews’ first WWE match since January 2025, when he defeated Johnny Gargano on SmackDown. Not long after that match, Crews suffered a torn pectoral muscle and underwent surgery on February 4, forcing him to the sidelines for the majority of the year.
Interestingly, Crews previously wrestled at AAA Alianzas in Mexico, where he surprised fans by answering an open challenge from Lince Dorado. That match — Crews’ AAA debut — saw him pick up a decisive win, and he looked to be in top form. His appearance outside WWE led to plenty of speculation about his future.
Now, Crews is back wrestling under the WWE banner, fueling even more questions about where he fits into the current roster. Was this WWE match a soft reset for Crews, or just a one-off to shake off the ring rust? Are we about to see a full-fledged return to TV for the former Intercontinental Champion?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments — is Apollo Crews gearing up for another run, or testing the waters after a long layoff?
