AJ Francis, previously known as Top Dolla, had a stint as a member of Hit Row until WWE released him in November 2021 with several other stars.
In August 2022, the company brought back Francis, along with B-Fab and Ashante “Thee” Adonis before he was once again released in September 2023.
While speaking with Riju Dasgupta for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Francis talked about his WWE tenure. Here are the highlights.
The release:
“WWE has always been my passion. When I was in the NFL, I wanted to be in WWE. Now, that sounds ridiculous to a lot of people, but it’s the truth. There’s more than interviews. Go look up Omar Kelly’s interview with me when I’m on the Miami Dolphins in 2013 saying the exact same thing. This is seven years before I signed with WWE. Just always been a passion of mine, it’s always something I wanted to do. But it’s one of those things, it’s like, sometimes you fly too close to the sun. Did I enjoy my time in WWE? Yeah. Did I appreciate all the friends and relationships I built while I was there? Yeah. But they didn’t want me. They proved it twice. So it’s like, I’m not the kind of guy who’s gonna keep going back to my ex-girlfriend telling her how I miss her. If you don’t need me, that’s cool, bro. I hope it works for you. Because I’m gonna be alright,” Francis said.
Whether he would return:
“The day that I was released in September, I was furious. I was like, ‘Are you kidding me? After everything that I’ve done, after everything, all the work I’ve put in, all the times I was the only person in the ring before SmackDown doing anything? All the times I was in the [PC]? Me and Tehuti went to the Performance Center one day on a Monday, and it was just me and him doing drills, just us two. All the times that I worked my ass off, that’s how you view it? Cool. 24 hours, I allowed myself to be pissed off. Then after that, it was, ‘Alright, you don’t want me? I’m gonna show you how much you don’t want me.’ Now, I’m at the point where I can do anything that I want, whenever I want, and I’m getting a lot of opportunities. Let’s call a spade a spade, let’s be real. Without the machine behind them, without WWE behind them or AEW behind them, or even TNA or any of the major promotions in this country, without their company going out of their way to set it up for them, how many people could be on The Pat McAfee Show, the Scott Van Pelt Show, could be on Big Noon Kickoff on FOX, could be CBS, NBC, ABC, could be on ABC January 1 for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl as the person giving the MVP Title to the MVP of the game? How many people in wrestling can do that? That’s what I did in the last month. So I’m gonna be alright. But just know that if it ever did come to the fact that WWE wanted me back, I would take the call. I would definitely listen. But I’m not waiting on that call. I don’t know me if it will ever come. To be honest with you, I would love for it to come, but at the end of the day, if it don’t, it ain’t gonna be the end of the world. I’m gonna be alright. If they want to call me, I’m available. But I’m also not waiting around the phone. I got stuff to do,” Francis said.
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AJ Francis, also known as Top Dolla, is a professional wrestler who had a brief tenure with WWE. He was initially released by the company in November 2021 but was brought back in August 2022 along with B-Fab and Ashante “Thee” Adonis. Unfortunately, Francis was released once again in September 2023. In a recent interview with Riju Dasgupta for Sportskeeda WrestleBinge, Francis opened up about his time in WWE and his future in the wrestling industry.
During the interview, Francis expressed his passion for WWE, stating that it had always been his dream to be a part of the company. He mentioned that even during his time in the NFL, he had expressed his desire to join WWE. Despite enjoying his time in WWE and appreciating the friendships and relationships he built there, Francis acknowledged that the company didn’t want him as they released him twice. He compared it to a relationship where one person keeps going back to their ex-girlfriend, but he didn’t want to be that person. He accepted that if WWE didn’t need him, he would be alright and would focus on other opportunities.
When asked if he would consider returning to WWE if given the chance, Francis admitted that he was initially furious when he was released in September. However, he quickly shifted his mindset and decided to show WWE how much they didn’t want him. He emphasized that he now had the freedom to do whatever he wanted and was receiving numerous opportunities outside of WWE. Francis highlighted his recent appearances on various shows and events, such as The Pat McAfee Show and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. While he would be open to a return if WWE wanted him back, he made it clear that he wasn’t waiting around for that call and had other things to focus on.
The interview showcased Francis’ determination and resilience in the face of adversity. Despite being released by WWE, he has been able to create opportunities for himself and make a name outside of the company. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring wrestlers who may face setbacks in their careers. Francis has proven that with hard work and a positive mindset, one can thrive even without the support of a major wrestling promotion.
In conclusion, AJ Francis’s WWE tenure may have been short-lived, but it hasn’t dampened his spirits or hindered his success. He remains passionate about wrestling and is determined to make the most of the opportunities that come his way. Whether he returns to WWE or continues to forge his own path, Francis is poised to achieve great things in the wrestling industry.