Former WWE Superstar was reportedly backstage at NXT
Following a successful weekend in Toronto, Canada, WWE followed up by eventful fallout editions of RAW and NXT this week. While the Monday night show is currently featuring some interesting storylines with The Wyatt Sicks and The Judgment Day, the developmental has also been producing some exciting episodes recently with the collaboration with TNA Wrestling.
This week's NXT featured multiple TNA stars on-screen. The Rascalz (Zachary Wentz and Trey Miguel) reunited with Wes Lee and Joe Hendry teamed up with Trick Williams to defeat Shawn Spears and NXT Champion Ethan Page. But that's not all.
Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed that TNA Digital Media Champion A.J. Francis was also backstage. The 34-year-old was formerly known as Top Dolla in WWE. Francis previously had two stints with the company; from January 2020 to November 2021 and from August 2022 to September 2023.
A.J. Francis was part of the Hit Row stable alongside Ashante Adonis, B-Fab, and Isaiah Scott (AEW's Swerve Strickland) during his run in World Wrestling Entertainment. They predominantly performed on SmackDown. He made his TNA debut at TNA Hard To Kill in January 2024 and has become a featured member of the roster ever since.
Triple H told A.J. Francis the door is always open for a WWE return
Speaking to Sportskeeda's Riju Dasgupta in March 2024, A.J. Francis disclosed that WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H is open to doing business down the line.
His run was not a success in the Stamford-based promotion, but he managed to break out of the mold in TNA. Francis went on to prove his naysayers wrong with his latest run in the Tennessee-based promotion.
"I know the door to the WWE is still open. Triple H told me that himself, but at the end of the day I'm not waiting on that. I did everything that I could while I was there, and I appreciate every opportunity that they gave me. But, at the end of the day, if you don't think that you can do something with me, then I think you're wrong, and I think that I've already started to prove that. I think that I'll continue to prove that," he said.
Swipe right to check out the Instagram photo dump of his recent success in TNA:
There is no word on whether there are plans for Francis to appear for NXT, but he has openly expressed an interest. TNA and WWE seem to have a healthy working relationship. Wrestlers from both rosters continue to cross over.