On a recent edition of the “Strictly Business” podcast, former WWE Superstar AJ Francis (Top Dolla) discussed his second WWE departure, being backstage at a recent RAW taping, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On blazing his own path since his WWE departure: “It’s great, man. I’m doing what I always knew I could do. I intentionally have not changed my wrestling gear, I have not changed my entrance attire, I have not changed the way that I talk. I’m doing everything exactly how I was doing it at the three-letter company in the sky. And I’m doing that intentionally, because I want to prove that it could have worked if I had a chance. And the thing is, it’s like, on top of that, WWE doesn’t need me to get them exposure, right? Like WWE can call the NFL, or the Big 12, or Pat McAfee, or whoever else they want to get whatever exposure they want, whenever they want it. They’re the biggest one of the biggest brands in the world. But the thing is, is like, the level of access that I have to a lot of different things like Super Bowl media row, like the Pat McAfee show, like Scott Van Pelt show on ESPN, like my ability to be on ABC, NBC. Like when I hosted the Cheezeits Citrus Bowl, right? All of those things, other companies absolutely need that level of access. They need that level of exposure, they need someone to put their brand out there.
“So like, I was just at a charity basketball game in my hometown, where Gillie and Wallo, two of the biggest names in hip hop and one of the biggest podcasts in the world, the Million Dollars Worth of Game Podcast. They hosted the game, and Lou Young, crazy internet celebrity, was there. NDO Champ, crazy internet celebrity was there. The list goes on and on, people like Three Oh Black. People like funny salesmen (Kenny Brooks). Some of the biggest names in the music industry, and on-internet personalities were all at the event. And we were able to give brand exposure to TNA because of that. And you know, like I said, TNA needs that level of exposure. NWA needs that level of exposure. MLW needs that level of exposure, GCW needs that level of exposure. CCW needs that level of exposure. I could go on and on. So when I bring my former NFL teammate and four-time Pro Bowler, whose jerseys are hanging right here behind me, Brent Grimes to CCW, an independent wrestling show, people think I’m crazy. They’re like, ‘How do you do that?’ When DJ Whoo Kid pulled up in a Lamborghini to GCW in Tampa, people were like, ‘Why is DJ Whoo Kid here?’ They’re there because of me, you see what I’m saying? So it’s like, I’m able to bring a different level of access and celebrity and ability to these companies that don’t really get it all the time. And because of that, that makes me that much more of a valuable asset. Like I said, WWE doesn’t need that. WWE doesn’t need me to get Snoop Dogg and Lil Uzi Vert to come to WrestleMania. Like they just don’t, right? That’s just a fact. That’s just a matter of fact. My being able to use my connections helps every other company in the world.”
On having more freedom to make outside appearances: “Yeah I mean, I never felt the need to stop doing any of them. There’s a reason why, as soon as I got released from WWE, you saw me everywhere doing everything. It’s because I’ve always had the ability to go on these shows and do these things. The only reason I haven’t done it is because I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers in WWE. Like, you have to ask for permission to do everything in WWE. I don’t need permission no more. Like if I want to do Big Noon Kickoff on FOX for the Maryland game, I just show up. I don’t have to ask one person who asked another person to get approval from another person, or for them to be like, ‘Oh, well no, we don’t want you to do that.’ And then now I can’t do a big opportunity because what? I am at the point now where wrestling is one of the many things that I do, right? And wrestling is something that I love doing. And I’m not going to stop wrestling anytime soon. Where I wrestle is determined by who cuts the check.”
On being backstage at a recent WWE RAW: “I was just backstage at Raw, literally on Monday [last week]. I was in town for Bun B’s Houston Rodeo. Bun B invited me to his show, so I pulled up because that’s my OG. And while I was at the rental car place, the guy who was giving me my car was a fan. And he said, ‘Yo Top Dolla, you coming back tonight?’ And I was like, ‘What the hell are you talking about?’ He’s like ‘Raw’s in Houston.’ I was like, ‘What?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, Raw is Houston.’ So Raw just happened to be in Houston. I text Triple H. I say ‘Yo, I’m just trying to come backstage, see the guys, you know what I’m saying? It’s not that big a deal.’ Like, I’m not out here trying to, like, ‘Yo, bring me back right now.’ I’m not doing that, I’m just trying to see the guys, right? That’s all, all my friends, all the people I work with.
“And he set it up, you know, and was able to go backstage. And everybody that I saw from Paul Heyman to Jey Uso, to Triple H, to Road Dogg, to Becky Lynch, to Cody Rhodes, to Seth Rollins, to Tommaso Champa, Finn Balor, everybody. Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre. Everybody that saw me was nothing but love. It was nothing but, ‘I’m so happy for you, you’re killing it. Hope to see you back here soon.’ Paul Heyman came up and gave me a hug. He said, ‘My day has been made ain’t seeing that you’re here.’ So it’s like, I know that the people there that I worked with know how talented and good I am, and that I should still be there. But through no fault of my own, I’m not. And here’s the thing; that’s cool. Do your thing. WWE does not need me. It don’t need anybody? It’s a well-oiled machine. I’m one spoke on the wheel, the wheel gonna keep turning. Shout out to CM Punk, right? But like, that’s another example right there. CM Punk is back there too. So it’s like, you never know what the future holds. But what I know is that I’m not waiting around for that either.”
Former WWE Superstar AJ Francis, also known as Top Dolla, recently opened up about his second departure from the WWE, his experience backstage at a recent RAW taping, and his newfound freedom to make outside appearances. In a recent episode of the “Strictly Business” podcast, Francis discussed his current journey and the opportunities he has been able to explore since leaving the WWE.
One of the main points Francis highlighted was his decision to stay true to himself and maintain his original wrestling gear, entrance attire, and speaking style. He intentionally chose not to change anything from his time in the WWE to prove that his approach could have been successful if given the chance. He also emphasized that WWE, being one of the biggest brands in the world, doesn’t necessarily need him to bring exposure to their events. They have the resources and connections to reach out to other celebrities and influencers. However, smaller wrestling companies like TNA, NWA, MLW, GCW, and CCW greatly benefit from the level of exposure and access that Francis can provide through his connections.
Francis mentioned various events and appearances where he has been able to bring attention to these companies. For example, he recently attended a charity basketball game in his hometown where he was able to give brand exposure to TNA. He also mentioned bringing his former NFL teammate and four-time Pro Bowler, Brent Grimes, to CCW, an independent wrestling show. These instances demonstrate how Francis’s connections and celebrity status can help promote and elevate smaller wrestling organizations.
In terms of his newfound freedom, Francis expressed his relief at no longer needing permission from WWE to make outside appearances. He mentioned that he has always had the ability to appear on different shows and participate in various events but refrained from doing so during his time with WWE to avoid causing any conflicts. Now that he is no longer with WWE, he can freely pursue opportunities like appearing on Big Noon Kickoff on FOX for the Maryland game without needing approval from anyone. Wrestling is just one of the many things he does, and he will continue to wrestle wherever he receives payment.
Francis also shared his experience of being backstage at a recent WWE RAW taping. He mentioned that he was in Houston for Bun B’s Houston Rodeo when he found out that RAW was also taking place in the city. He reached out to Triple H, expressing his desire to visit backstage and catch up with his friends and colleagues. Triple H arranged for him to go backstage, and Francis received nothing but love and support from everyone he encountered. People like Paul Heyman, Jey Uso, Becky Lynch, Seth Rollins, and many others expressed their happiness for him and wished him success. Francis acknowledged that the people he worked with in WWE recognized his talent and believed he should still be there. However, he understands that WWE is a well-established machine that doesn’t necessarily need him or anyone else.
In conclusion, AJ Francis’s departure from WWE has allowed him to explore new opportunities and bring exposure to smaller wrestling companies. He remains true to himself and continues to use his connections and celebrity status to benefit these organizations. With his newfound freedom, Francis can make outside appearances without needing permission from WWE. Although he had a positive experience backstage at a recent RAW taping, he is not waiting around for a return to WWE and is focused on his current journey.