In a rare display that caught fans off guard, Bobby Lashley breaks character to congratulate Apollo Crews on his academic achievement, offering a heartfelt message through social media. The moment arrived as wrestling circles took note, placing the focus keyword squarely on this exceptional show of respect between two well-known athletes.
Lashley’s Unexpected Message After Crews’ Graduation
Bobby Lashley, known for his tough persona in AEW, put aside his fierce on-screen demeanor to recognize Apollo Crews, a former WWE Intercontinental Champion, for a significant off-ring accomplishment. Lashley, whose reputation as one of the most intimidating figures in the locker room is well established, took a step back from wrestling rivalries to mark this moment.
Recently, Apollo Crews disclosed on social media that he completed his education, noting he had previously left his studies midway to focus on his professional wrestling aspirations. The announcement drew a wave of positive responses from both supporters and fellow wrestlers, reflecting the respect he has earned beyond the ring.
Despite being sidelined since January 24, 2025, due to a match injury against Johnny Gargano and a subsequent surgery, Crews’ decision to prioritize his graduation was met with admiration. It was Bobby Lashley’s succinct yet meaningful message that particularly resonated with fans, as he reflected, “Congratulations brotha!!” —Bobby Lashley, AEW star
Mixed Reactions Surround Lashley’s Recent Storyline
Emotions remain high within the wrestling community regarding recent developments involving Lashley and The Hurt Syndicate. On a recent episode of Dynamite, the group clashed with Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey, and Komander, where the less experienced trio managed to mount a noticeable attack.
This outcome drew notable criticism from Bully Ray, a respected figure in the industry, who appeared on Busted Open Radio to voice his dissatisfaction with the booking direction.
“I’m not buying it. No way. There’s creative ways to get to what you wanted to get to. Not the way they did it. Straight up with those babyfaces just like—dropkick, dropkick, forearm, forearm. Nobody’s doing that to Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin. Even in the world of pro wrestling,” he said.
The incident reignited debates about character consistency and booking logic within major wrestling promotions such as AEW and WWE. With mixed feelings from fans and wrestlers alike concerning both storyline decisions and real-life gestures, the wrestling world watches closely for the next developments involving The Hurt Syndicate, Apollo Crews, and Bobby Lashley.
