He's only been used sparingly since moving over to the Monday Night Raw, but Apollo Crews has caught the attention of a former WWE legend.
Former SmackDown commentator, Taz, created a poll and asked fans to vote for who they think the most underrated WWE superstar is. Though Luke Harper took the most votes, Taz explained (On The Taz Show), why he thinks Apollo Crews is the most underrated wrestler in WWE today (h/t WrestlingInc.com).
"[Apollo] is for sure just a stud in the ring. Just a straight stud in the ring, and I really feel like he is underutilized for sure. So he, for me, would be my main guy currently.
Now I know his promo work is not amazing, also all of that needs to be a part of the package. Your promo work, your look, your in-ring work and all that jazz. So, all of that stuff obviously is vital. He probably doesn't have the promo stuff down too good."
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 240 pounds, Crews undoubtedly brings a great set of strength and athleticism in the ring. But indeed, a lack of strong microphone/promo skills may be what's holding him back from a big push.
Since joining the main roster in 2016, Crews has yet to capture any of the WWE Championships. He became part of the 'Titus Worldwide' faction, but has only bounced around from opponent to opponent, and WWE doesn't seem keen on moving him up the chain.
Taz also mentioned Zack Ryder as one of the more underrated superstars, as well as inaugural SmackDown Women's Champion Becky Lynch, among others. But to him, Crews takes the cake as the most underrated in the WWE today.
Crews and Titus O'Neil were attacked by Dolph Ziggler and his new tag team partner, Drew McIntyre, on the Apr. 16 edition of Raw. They lost a match the next week, and Crews would take part in the Greatest Royal Rumble, but didn't last long as the 33rd entry.
WWE knows they have a strong talent in Crews, and you never know when a mid-card superstar will get a big push (see Braun Strowman). But whether or not they view him as a potential main eventer in the future remains to be seen.