Apollo Crews Returns, Defeats Dorado After 10-Month Injury

Apollo Crews marked his return to professional wrestling on Saturday in Mexico City, defeating Lince Dorado in a dark match before the AAA Alianzas event at the Juan de la Barrera arena. The former WWE Intercontinental and United States Champion, sidelined for nearly 10 months due to a torn pectoral muscle, accepted Dorado's open challenge and secured the victory with a gorilla press followed by a standing backward somersault, drawing cheers from the surprised audience.

Crews had not competed since January 24, 2024, when he faced Johnny Gargano on an episode of WWE's SmackDown. During that match, Crews sustained the injury after taking a backcracker move. Despite favoring his injured shoulder, he completed the bout and won by rollup pinfall. The tear required surgery on February 4, 2024, leading to an extended recovery period that included intensive rehabilitation. Medical experts note that pectoral injuries often demand several months of rest and therapy to regain full strength, a process Crews described as emotionally challenging at the time.

In a public statement shortly after the injury, Crews addressed his setback on social media. "A few weeks ago on SmackDown, I tore my...