Since Triple H took over talent relations and creative, he has wasted no time in bringing back performers he worked with previously that he felt deserved another opportunity. So far, that has seen Dakota Kai, Karrion Kross, Scarlett, and Dexter Lumis all re-signed, and there is speculation multiple others will soon be joining. And now, according to a report by PWInsider.com, former NFL player AJ Francis, who competed as Top Dolla, could be the next to return. This is because he is scheduled to be at Friday night’s SmackDown taping. However, it should be noted that Francis was a presenter on the first season of A&E Most Wanted Treasures, and with season two currently being filmed, it could be related to that.
We are by several sources that Francis is expected to be at tomorrow’s Smackdown taping in Raleigh, NC, so we’ll see if this means he appears on camera or is being brought in for something related to the A&E series, which has been filming its second season. Thus far, Francis hasn’t been part of Most Wanted Treasures’ recent filming schedule and there are signs his role this season may be instead filled by WWE Hall of Famer Lita.
PWInsider.comFrancis looked set for WWE stardom as part of Hit Row alongside Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, and B-Fab, with the group fast-tracked from NXT to SmackDown within months of debuting. Yet despite this, B-Fab would surprisingly be released on November 4, 2021, and the rest of the group, including Francis, were let go just 15 days later. Officially the releases were considered part of budget cuts, although there were rumors it was because of an offensive rap Francis posted online about Jinder Mahal.
Since departing WWE, it had appeared his interest in wrestling was waning as he didn’t immediately begin taking independent bookings once his non-complete expired. And looking at online result databases, it seems he has only wrestled twice in tag matches post-WWE, both with Adonis under the name The HitMakerZ. That, though, could be about to change if WWE re-signs him, and it could possibly even lead to other Hit Row members returning. With Scott, who is now with AEW being the only member unavailable.
