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WWE has released several superstars in recent years as departures are an unfortunate part of the business. Many talents go on to find significant success in other wrestling promotions, and one such star just made a very daring statement about his last year and how life was after World Wrestling Entertainment.
AJ Francis joined WWE NXT in January 2020 after a brief NFL career. The lifelong wrestling fan was billed as 'Top Dolla,' and brought to SmackDown in the 2021 Draft as a member of Hit Row. The faction was released one month later due to pandemic budget cuts. Dolla was re-hired 268 days later, but once again released on September 21, 2023, due to further budget cuts. The rapper-wrestler has since worked for TNA, MLW, NWA, and GCW, in addition to several other indie promotions.
Francis is currently signed to TNA. He took to his X (fka Twitter) account today to mark one year since his second World Wrestling Entertainment release. The 34-year-old included a few photos from his first several months as a Total Nonstop Action Wrestling talent along with a bold statement where he claimed that no one had had a better year than him in pro wrestling.
"A year ago I got released… Who had a better year than me? Don’t worry I’ll wait.💰," AJ Francis wrote with the photos below.
A fan responded and named several wrestlers who possibly have had a better year than Dolla. The reader congratulated Francis on a great year but listed the following wrestlers - Bron Breakker, Gunther, Jade Cargill, Joe Hendry, Jordynne Grace, Logan Paul, Swerve Strickland, and Will Ospreay. AJ responded with a GIF from CBS' Bob Hearts Abishola, which includes a six-word jab.
"That's nice. Totally delusional, but nice," read the GIF.
Francis was once a dual champion in TNA. Earlier this year he held the Digital Media Championship and the Canadian International Heavyweight Championship.
AJ Francis pays tribute to WWE icon Bray Wyatt
The pro wrestling world lost Bray Wyatt just over one year ago. The Eater Of Worlds tragically passed away on August 24, 2023, aged 36.
Several wrestlers have regularly paid tribute to Wyatt, and WWE has kept his legacy alive with The Wyatt Sicks. There have also been many tributes to Windham Rotunda in recent weeks to mark one year since his passing. AJ Francis took to X to remember the former Universal Champion. He included a clip of Wyatt taking out Hit Row.
"A year ago we lost an icon… #RIPBray [dove emoji] It is such an honor to be a part of the last thing he did in the ring… #RIPBrayWyatt We miss you Windham [folded hands emoji]," AJ Francis wrote.
You can check out the video tribute in the post below:
Wyatt's last live WWE TV appearance ended up being the February 17, 2023 SmackDown. He and Uncle Howdy interrupted Hit Row's performance to send a warning to Bobby Lashley. Bray would pass away 189 days later, while the group was released 217 days later.
