Main Roster Star Returns To WWE NXT 2.0, Drops Gimmick & Accent
Bron Breakker's next NXT Title contender shook things up on his developmental return.
Apollo Crews returned to WWE NXT on last night's 2.0 show, establishing himself as NXT Champion Bron Breakker's next challenger.
The comeback came in the form of an open challenge segment. Breakker, who was in a victorious mood following his win over Joe Gacy at In Your House last Saturday, opened the door for whoever was next. Enter Crews to a good reception from the NXT crowd, who chanted his name and "we miss you" at the former Intercontinental Champion.
Crews declared that he wanted to make history in NXT, shaking hands with Breakker to signify a respectful NXT Title challenge. WWE has not yet confirmed a date for the potential match.
Later, Crews teamed with Solo Sikoa to defeat Carmelo Hayes and Grayson Waller in the main event, scoring the pinfall via Powerbomb on Waller. This was his first NXT match since facing Kushida on 13 June 2019.
The former Uhaa Nation previously worked on WWE's developmental brand from August 2015, when he debuted at TakeOver: Brooklyn, until his April 2016 call-up. Though relatively prominent on WWE television for periods in 2020 and 2021, he has fallen out of the rotation in recent months, competing primarily on Main Event rather than Raw or SmackDown.
An interesting facet of last night's NXT return was that Crews spoke without the Nigerian accent he adopted upon a character switch acknowledging his background last year. Similarly, the 34-year-old was not accompanied by partner Commander Azeez, who has been by his side throughout his reinvention.