When AJ Francis was launched from WWE for the second time in three years, he knew he could not sit on his arms ready for his third chunk on the Hit Row apple however as a substitute wanted to tug a Swerve Strickland and get again into the trenches, combating for one thing within the wrestling ring as a substitute of banking on his repute.
His resolution: signal with TNA, the place he simply turned the TNA Digital Media Champion amid a feud with Joe Hendry.
Whereas Francis is definitely a heel and will get booed from followers within the Influence Zone as a lot as they cheer him on, ultimately, he is likely one of the largest names within the promotion proper now resulting from his spots in WWE and as a journeyman NFL defensive deal with, making him a primary candidate to crossover to NXT as a part of its present angle with TNA.
However would Francis really need to return to NXT? Effectively, in an interview with Zack Heydorn of Brass Ring Media, the reply is a powerful sure, as he thinks returning to the WWE Universe as a champion after largely being missed throughout his second run within the promotion could be an unimaginable full-circle second.
“Completely. All people’s champing on the bit for his or her alternative to do one thing with NXT or folks from NXT in TNA. I need to go to NXT,” AJ Francis declared to Zack Heydorn of Brass Ring Media by way of Fightful. “I believe it will be hilarious for me to stroll into NXT as a man who, when he was in WWE, by no means actually obtained the alternatives he deserved, and are available again as a champion and be like, ‘Hey, look what appears while you really let me do me.’ Then additionally, personally, I might prepare within the PC on a regular basis, so there’s a variety of guys and women from Kelani [Jordan] to Lola [Vice] to Oba Femi, guys that I’ve educated with and helped them discover themselves, Trick Williams, that at the moment are on the forefront of NXT. We have already got in-ring chemistry, we’ve already accomplished a variety of cool issues collectively, so it’d be cool to do it on an even bigger stage. Lola Vice used to kick the s**t out of me. Generally, I might suppose that she thought she was nonetheless doing MMA. I’m like, ‘Oh!’ I needed to go like, ‘Hey, loosen up,’ and throw you within the nook [laughs]. She would kick and punch the s**t out of me. That backhand fist, she be knocking folks out. That s**t is for actual. She be hitting the h*ll out of individuals.”
Welp, there you go, people; AJ Francis is open to a different look within the WWE Universe, be that as himself or High Dolla. And the very best half? Contemplating NXT already introduced within the former Dana Brooke, Ash by Class, at NXT Battleground, there is a precedent for HBK prioritizing former WWE performers on this TNA crossover extravaganza.
AJ Francis discusses changing into the TNA Digital Media Champion.
Talking of AJ Francis’ current in-ring success, the previous member of Hit Row mentioned what it was prefer to win the TNA Digital Media Champion on the TNA twentieth Anniversary Present. Whereas some followers might have been desperate to rely him out after his final run in WWE flamed out, Francis is pleased with his present success, noting that he is adopted his pal Geno Smith’s progress mindset.
“It’s a bizarre feeling as a result of clearly, I gained it like three weeks in the past. So, I’ve needed to preserve it below wraps. Lots of people have been asking me about it, and I’ll be like, ‘Man, gotta wait till June sixth, brother,’” AJ Francis informed Busted Open Radio by way of Wrestling Inc.
“It’s actually cool now, after which, particularly with the legends which have come via TNA … It was a giant deal to be on the twentieth anniversary of the present, [but] to then have a chance to win a title on that present, actually places you in a special gentle. It’s a spotlight spot for me, and I recognize that as a result of there have been lots of people that counted me out, however [as] my homeboy [Seahawks quarterback] Geno Smith mentioned, ‘They counted me out, however I ain’t rely.’ I ain’t give up counting, so I ain’t nervous about something they obtained to say.”
Will some followers solely bear in mind Francis for his time as High Dolla in WWE, with Michael Cole making enjoyable of him for not with the ability to recover from the rope on a suicida try, the previous defensive deal with has discovered a approach to preserve his profession whereas increase his inventory one match at a time.
