Tag: aj francis

Top Dolla responds to report he ‘rubbed people wrong way’ in WWE

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Photo: WWE

A day after his release, the former “Top Dolla” AJ Francis has responded to a report in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that he “rubbed a ton of people the wrong way” in WWE. 

In covering the most recent round of WWE releases, Dave Meltzer wrote this of Francis:

“While he came across well on television, he rubbed a ton of people the wrong way in NXT and was getting the same reputation on the main roster.”

Francis quote-tweeted another site’s coverage of the report and responded with: 

“Here’s what rubs people the wrong way.

-Standing up for your own. When Bri was released and I called the office myself to tell them they made a mistake. 

-Standing up for yourself. Ppl in the PC told me “Hit Row” wouldn’t work for a year and a half & I never took their advice.”

Francis continued his statement in a tweet thread:

“TRUST ME I got plenty stories I can tell about how I was disrespected but just took it on the chin like a professional. 

Even with the video I released today it was all professionalism. But I’m NOT gonna let these BS “reports” ruin my reputation.

I got tea I can spill too.”

The video Francis references is a rap he released today that references the 89 days left in his non-compete window following his WWE release and name-checks a series of wrestling companies he would be interested in signing with once the window closes. 

In addition to his NXT and WWE run with Hit Row, Francis was a character on WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures series that aired on A&E from April 2021 to June 2021. 

Francis is holding a canned food drive this weekend at the University of Maryland in College Park. 

Isaiah ‘Swerve’ Scott introduces Hit Row stable on WWE NXT

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Isaiah “Swerve” Scott introduced his new group, Hit Row, on tonight’s NXT.

Hit Row consists of Scott, two other men, and one woman. AJ Francis, who has appeared on A&E’s WWE show Most Wanted Treasures, introduced himself as Top Dolla. Brianna Brandy, who signed with WWE in 2019, introduced herself as B-Fab. Rounding out the group is Ashante “Thee” Adonis, who has appeared regularly on 205 Live in the last year and has been aligned with Scott in the past. During the promo introducing the group, Swerve said he was tired of not being himself and wanted to be around people who think like him.

Members of Hit Row have previously been seen in vignettes, but officially made their debut at the Capitol Wrestling Center last week. Swerve faced Leon Ruff in a Falls Count Anywhere match. Ruff was about to launch off a platform, but Top Dolla grabbed him before he could land and slammed him on the barricade instead, leading Scott to pick up the win.

WWE had trademarked the term “Hit Row Records” on May 6.

AJ Francis and Anthony Henry debut on WWE NXT

Posted on by Joseph Currier

A couple of debuts took place on this week’s episode of NXT.

– Former NFL player AJ Francis made his debut by aligning with Isaiah “Swerve” Scott on NXT tonight. Francis helped Scott defeat Leon Ruff in a falls count anywhere match.

Ruff and Scott were looking to settle their rivalry in the falls count anywhere match. Near the end of the match, Ruff was about to hit a dive onto Scott from a ladder that was set up near a production area. But Francis appeared, caught Ruff when he jumped off the ladder, and slammed Ruff onto the barricade.

Scott then threw Ruff back into the ring and hit the JML Driver to get the win.

Francis was identified by name on commentary and was called a member of Scott’s entourage. Scott, Francis, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and Briana Brandy went backstage together after Scott’s win. Later in the show, Francis, Adonis, and Brandy were with Scott when he was interviewed backstage as they were leaving the building.

Brandy was also making her NXT TV debut tonight but wasn’t identified by name. She signed with WWE in August 2019 and is also a hip-hop musician.

It was announced in January 2020 that Francis had signed with WWE. He spent time with several NFL teams as a defensive tackle from 2013-2018.

Francis currently stars on WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, which airs on A&E as part of WWE’s Sunday programming block on the channel. 

 – Anthony Henry also made his debut on NXT tonight. Henry, who is now using the name Asher Hale, lost to Cameron Grimes on tonight’s show.

Henry is a former EVOLVE Tag Team Champion. He was part of the group of WWE Performance Center signees that was announced this February.