Wrestler, 34, ‘needs 10 pills a day’ after WWE accident saved his life

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video

Up Next

Previous Page Next Page

TNA Wrestling star AJ Francis has revealed he’s having to take about 10 different pills a day to save his own life.

The 34-year-old wrestler, who is best known to WWE fans as Top Dolla, previously revealed how an awkward moment he fell short on a dive to the outside of the ring on SmackDown actually led to him getting diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

He was concerned after messing up a move he’d done dozens of times while his legs ‘felt off’ beforehand, and a visit to the doctors gave him a life changing diagnosis.

Opening on on his health now, former NFL star AJ exclusively told Metro: ”I’m properly medicated now! I’m taking – let me do some maths … I’m taking about 10 pills a day, different things.

‘But it’s worked! It’s got my A1C down, it’s got my blood sugar down, I’m at a normal rate again. I’m living life!

‘I’m healthier than I’ve been in a very long time. I’m probably the healthiest I’ve ever been in my life. I am actually grateful that it happened, because now I’m better off for it!’

AJ Francis, FKA Top Dolla, has given a health update after a WWE mishap led to his diabetes diagnosis (Picture: TNA Wrestling) He’s gone from strength to strength since joining TNA (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

Despite a family history of diabetes, AJ was surprised when the diagnosis came because he was ‘actively wrestling four or five days a week’ at the time, plus regular workouts throughout the week.

It was ‘definitely scary’ for the star, who felt like he’d gone from ‘being a super athlete to barely being able to jump’.

There was also mental side, with fans ripping into him and branding him ‘Flop Dolla’ over the mistake, without knowing what was happening behind the scenes.

‘I let people say whatever they wanted for over a year,’ he recalled. ‘I was already dealing with what I was dealing with – trying to not die!’

He also insisted people will always try to push false narratives simply because they ‘just want to see my downfall’.

AJ has hit out at ‘idiot’ critics who play down his abilities (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

AJ has been on a role since joining TNA Wrestling in January after the second of two WWE releases, becoming a huge focus both solo and as part of his First Class team, putting on great performances with the likes of Chavo Guerrero, Nic Nemeth (AKA Dolph Ziggler) and PCO.

‘If you think I can’t wrestle, you’re an idiot,’ he said bluntly. ‘And yes, fans will still chant “you can’t wrestle”, but fans are idiots, and that’s why I hate them, and that’s why they hate me, because I’m a genius.’

He’s constantly faced his critics in and out of the ring, including apparent issues with his former Hit Row teammate Swerve Strickland. Despite struggles for momentum in WWE, AJ still has fond memories of the group.

‘I loved my time in Hit Row, and I loved my time with Ashante [Thee Adois] and with B-Fab. Even the time we had with Swerve in NXT was a great time.’

However, he felt like he was being held back as an ‘auxiliary character’ instead of the main focus, while he felt his own creativity and talent had earned him that opportunity.

He has been calling for a chance to prove himself (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

It wasn’t for a lack of trying.

‘The creative team at WWE was sick of me. I mean, I was pitching two, three ideas a week. That’s probably, honestly, my downfall,’ he shrugged.

‘Instead of just letting things come to me, I was like, “Nah, these are ideas that I have, and I need to get these on my chest. These are good ideas.” And some of them ended up being used for other people.’

Despite his experiences in WWE and focus on TNA, AJ is still open to a return the former given the official partnership between the two promotions.

‘who wouldn’t want to be a part of it? But at the end of the day, they know my number, it’s not hard,’ he said.

AJ is confident in his talent and future plans (Picture: TNA Wrestling)

‘They sent my tag team partner [Ashante] over to TNA. Clearly, they know I’m here. You can’t watch TNA and not see what I’ve been doing over the last year and a half!’

AJ ‘takes solace in the fact that all members of Hit Row are thriving’, while he’s delighted with his own trajectory and potential.

‘It’s been a blessing,’ he said of the support of people like Chavo Guerrero, Booker T and Mick Foley.

‘These are legends in the game that have nothing but respect for me, and will sing nothing but my praises,’ he smiled. ‘So I know I’m doing the right thing.’

Fans in the UK can watch TNA Wrestling – and Unbreakable on April 17 – via the TNA+ app.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.