Apollo Crews has all the tools WWE looks for in a top-level star. He's got the look, he's got the athleticism, and we're all quickly learning, he's got the ability to tell a story. Since the wrestler shifted gears and rediscovered his Nigerian roots, he's been among the most successful heels on the SmackDown brand and he's barely scratched the surface of his potential.

Interestingly, there was a former star in WWE who successfully did what Crews appears to be doing now. His name is JBL.

On the surface, one might be surprised to see these two compared to one another. Yet, when you look more closely, there are a number of similarities when it comes to both men's rise in WWE and their stories are interestingly reminiscent of the other.

Crews Has Made A Total Character Shift

Both Crews and JBL had to completely shift gears before they began their rise to the top of WWE. Before JBL became a successful business tycoon on television, he was Justin Hawk Bradshaw, part of the Acolytes and eventually a member of APA alongside Ron Simmons. It was when his character did a total 180-degree turn that things began to really click for him.

Like JBL, Crews has found a character that works. A gimmick that probably shouldn't have registered as well as it has, Crews looks right at home playing the role of Nigerian royalty. He's sold fans on the fact he'd been faking an American accent since joining WWE, he made us believe he was a force after taking countless pins as an undercard talent and he's been given the mic and absolutely killed it with his promo work.

JBL played a fight-loving bruiser for hire who liked to drink and play cards every week. Yet, behind the scenes he was a financial whiz and savvy investor. Crews was left to toil on multiple brands as a big man who was also a high flier. We're just now learning what Crews' real strengths are.

Both Are Wrestling "Royalty"

JBL made a fortune selling himself as a "wrestling God". He was arrogant, powerful, rich and he didn't care who knew it. In fact, he wanted all who would listen to know it because it put him on a higher pedestal than everyone else. Crews' character is not that different.

He suggests that his colors represent wealth, power and dominance and if your enemies defy you, show them steel. He wants everyone to know how omnipotent and important he really is. He labels himself a leader, a ruler and all-powerful. His grandfather was a king and he spent his days draped in gold with his five wives. Everyone feared him. Crews believes it's only natural he follow that path.

JBL claimed he was too rich and too smart to be denied. Meanwhile, Crews believes there's nothing that can stop him and that it's his birthright to be at the top.

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Crews Is A Surprisingly Strong Talker

When JBL began delivering his promos as the JBL character, fans were shocked to see him be so accomplished on the mic. He quickly became one of the most hated heels in WWE and most of it was because he was incredibly gifted at making you not like him. Like JBL, Crews is a far more gifted a talker than anyone figured.

For some reason, WWE kept Crews from cutting promos. As a babyface, he rarely talked and it was expected his look and in-ring abilities would sell fans on him. It only worked to a certain degree. Now that he's gotten an opportunity to grow a character he believes in, he's hitting it out of the park.

Characters You Love To Hate

There is a huge contingent of fans happy to see Crews making the most of this opportunity he's being given. I find myself rooting for him as well. Still, there's something about his on-screen character you just love to hate.

Perhaps it's the sense he's entitled. Perhaps it's that he seems to have unlimited resources and now has a giant in Commander Azeez to help keep his Intercontinental Title around his waist. Whatever it is, he's absolutely nailing his responsibility to make you believe he's not a good guy.

His skill to flip that switch will serve him wonders as WWE looks for top-level guys and challengers in the main event scene. Few people flipped the switch like JBL did.

Could Climb The Ladder Quickly

When JBL shifted gears, few could have imagined he'd go on a run as one of SmackDown's greatest heavyweight champions. It didn't take him long to rise up the ranks either. He became a main event star few believed he had the potential to be, wresting memorable opponents like John Cena, Eddie Guerrero and others.

Crews is showing he's got the goods to rise through the ranks quickly as well. He's already the Intercontinental Champion and in a 10-man tag on a recent episode of SmackDown, he was clearly the unofficial leader on a team that included King Corbin, Otis, Chad Gable and Sami Zayn. A few months ago, no one could have predicted Crews would be the standout in that group.

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