Top Dolla hits back.
Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer reported on Top Dolla "rubbed a ton of people the wrong way" while a member of NXT and he was starting to gain the same reputation on WWE SmackDown.
Top Dolla and Hit Row were called up in the 2021 WWE Draft, but only made a handful of appearances before being released on November 18. The group suffered an almost immediate hit when B-Fab was released on November 4.
Taking to social media, Top Dolla responded to the report he "rubbed people the wrong way."
Here’s what rubs people the wrong way.
— A.J. Francis aka FRAN¢ (@AJFrancis410) November 19, 2021
-Standing up for your own. When Bri was released and I called the office myself to tell them they made a mistake.
-Standing up for yourself. Ppl in the PC told me “Hit Row” wouldn’t work for a year and a half & I never took their advice. https://t.co/MFeHIjjCAx
TRUST ME I got plenty stories I can tell about how I was disrespected but just took it on the chin like a professional.
— A.J. Francis aka FRAN¢ (@AJFrancis410) November 19, 2021
Even with the video I released today it was all professionalism. But I’m NOT gonna let these BS “reports” ruin my reputation.
I got tea I can spill too. pic.twitter.com/gKlX3qdAHL
Fightful Select gave the following report regarding Top Dolla and Hit Row and the circumstances surrounding their release:
We haven't heard anything specifically about Hit Row as a unit, outside of that AJ Francis' polarizing reaction on Twitter did carry over to some within the company. a couple of internal WWE sources compared it to Greg Hamilton "getting a little too comfortable." We were told this was not the specific factor leading to his release or that of the group, but was an internal observation. There were others that enjoyed his approach within the company.
At the same time, one of the sources said that Top Dolla was also highly regarded for his hosting ability and dedication to the Hit Row team. He was once considered to host Raw Underground before they went a different direction.
On Friday, Top Dolla posted a new rap addressing his release and non-compete. You can find the rap by clicking here.
You can view the full list of talent releases on November 18 by clicking here.
