AJ Francis Credits His Arrival with TNA Wrestling’s Resurgence, Claims Dominance as a Heel
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TNA Wrestling star AJ Francis believes his presence has been instrumental in the promotion’s recent growth, and asserts he’s a rare villain in professional wrestling genuinely disliked by fans. These statements came during a recent interview with Fightful’s Kate Elizabeth at WrestleCon 2025.
Francis detailed how TNA’s trajectory shifted upon his arrival. “Ever since I’ve been at TNA, it just keeps getting bigger and bigger,” he stated. “some people were at TNA for a long time and it was getting smaller and smaller, and now, ever as I got to TNA, it’s gotten bigger and bigger and I’ve made other people’s careers bigger and bigger.”
Elevating Talent Through Opposition
The wrestler emphasized his role in building up other stars within the promotion. He explained that he is frequently paired with rising talent to elevate their profiles. “Everyone I work with gets bigger and bigger,” francis said.”when they need Joe Hendry to get ready to be a world champion,they put him with me. When they need a stopgap between Joe Hendry and Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Title, they put it with me.” He further noted similar collaborations with Mike Santana,stating that he is brought in to “get a shine” on Santana’s path to a World Title chance.
Frist Class and the Art of Being Disliked
Francis also addressed his success as a heel – a wrestling term for a villainous character – and the impact of his faction, first Class. He confidently declared, “First Class is the biggest heel faction in wrestling. The biggest in TNA.” He went on to highlight a unique aspect of his persona, claiming, “I’m one of the only heels on earth that people actually don’t like.” He illustrated this point by referencing a match in El Paso, Texas, where he was strategically placed to elevate local favorite Chavo Guerrero.
According to Francis, the promotion consistently utilizes him to build anticipation and elevate opponents, demonstrating a clear understanding of his value. This strategic positioning, he believes, solidifies his position as a pivotal figure in TNA Wrestling and a uniquely effective antagonist in the world of professional wrestling.
News Report Additions:
Why: AJ Francis believes his arrival at TNA Wrestling has been a catalyst for the promotion’s recent growth and increased popularity. He attributes this to his ability to elevate other wrestlers and his effectiveness as a heel.
Who: AJ Francis, a professional wrestler currently signed with TNA Wrestling, made these statements during an interview with Fightful’s kate elizabeth at WrestleCon 2025. Other wrestlers mentioned include joe Hendry, Nic Nemeth, Mike Santana, and Chavo Guerrero.
What: Francis claims his presence has directly contributed to TNA’s resurgence, and that he is uniquely positioned to build up other talent by working with them. He also asserts that his “First Class” faction is the moast prominent heel group in wrestling and that he is one of the few villains fans genuinely dislike.
how did it end?: The interview concluded with Francis emphasizing his value to TNA, stating that the promotion strategically uses him to elevate opponents and build anticipation, solidifying his role as a key figure in the company. The interview did not indicate any immediate plans for a change in his role or departure from TNA.
