"I'm the best heel," former WWE Superstar makes bold claim

A former WWE Superstar has made a bold statement ahead of his major championship match in TNA. AJ Francis (fka Top Dolla) has claimed to be the best heel in the business.

The 34-year-old was released from his WWE contract for the second time in September last year. After leaving the global juggernaut, Francis wrestled several matches on the independent scene before joining TNA in 2024. He has had an impressive run in the Nashville-based promotion, having already won two championships.

Ahead of his upcoming World Championship match with Nick Nemeth (fka Dolph Ziggler) at TNA Final Resolution, AJ Francis spoke to Grant Gordon of NFL.com. He stated that the last year had been the best of his wrestling career. The former Digital Media Champion added he could not wait to justify his place as a contender for the World Title.

"I've only been wrestling for six years, and this past year's been by far the best of my career and I think I've earned this opportunity, so I'm really excited to prove why I belong in this world title picture," he said.

AJ Francis further reflected on how he had come a long way from being considered a laughingstock a year ago. The former Hit Row member stated he took the opportunity that came his way and that now he was the best heel in the wrestling business.

"A year ago, I was a laughingstock in wrestling. A year ago, I was a joke, a punchline. And now, I'm the best heel in the business. And all it took was an opportunity," he added. [H/T: NFL.com]

You can check out the entire conversation by clicking here.

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AJ Francis opens up about Hit Row's run as a WWE faction

Hit Row was a faction in WWE consisting of Top Dolla, B-Fab, Ashante Thee Adonis, and Swerve Strickland. Despite regular television appearances, the stable did not feature in any noteworthy storylines.

During his appearance on Straight Talk Wrestling earlier this year, AJ Francis claimed the wrestling promotion could not get the best out of Hit Row. He pointed out how all the faction members were performing impressively after parting ways. The former Top Dolla added that WWE possibly regretted how they had booked the group.

“Yeah, there was a lot of wasted opportunity. Look at what Swerve’s doing in AEW, look what I’ve been doing in TNA, look what Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis, look what he’s doing in NXT, look at what B-Fab has been doing... The people that are in WWE that ultimately made the decision to punt Hit Row are looking at it now like, ‘Man, maybe we could have did more. Maybe we could have did something different. Maybe we could have gave them an actual chance,'" he said. [H/T: Fightful]

You can watch the interview in the video below:

AJ Francis will challenge Nick Nemeth for the TNA World Championship later tonight at Final Resolution. The former Dolph Ziggler has had an impressive run as the champion. He won the title earlier this year at Slammiversary and has held the title ever since.