SouthernWorldwide.com – AJ Francis, a prominent figure in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, has openly expressed his ambition to challenge Leon Slater for the X Division Championship. Francis also took a moment to address his critics, delivering a pointed and scathing rant.
Leon Slater is slated for a pivotal match in his burgeoning professional wrestling career this Thursday night. He is scheduled to defend his TNA X Division Championship against Cedric Alexander in what promises to be a high-stakes encounter.
A victory for Slater in this bout would significantly cement his legacy. It would establish him as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history, surpassing the record previously held by Austin Aries.
Austin Aries held the X Division title for an impressive 298 days, a reign that commenced in September 2011. He eventually relinquished the championship with the explicit intention of pursuing a shot at the TNA World Championship.
Francis, a fellow TNA competitor, has voiced his support for Slater’s potential to win against Alexander. However, his admiration is intertwined with his own aspirations, as he clearly stated his desire to claim the championship belt from Slater.
Francis proclaimed himself to be the “biggest heel” in the wrestling industry. He argued that in the current landscape of professional wrestling, few performers genuinely elicit boos from the audience.
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“I mean for real, if we’re calling a spade, a spade, who else in the wrestling industry gets booed?” Francis questioned. He pointed to top heels like MJF and Dominik Mysterio, noting that these performers often receive cheers from fans despite their antagonistic characters.
He contrasted this with his own experience, stating, “Who really gets booed in today’s business, but me? Me and Logan Paul, literally.” Francis also made a jab at Joe Hendry, referencing a song remix that he felt was derivative of his own past work.
“And everybody’s like, ‘This is so cool.’ The thing is, I always provide. I’m the ultimate provider. I’m the biggest and best heel in the business. I’m the best big man in the business and I prove it time and time again,” Francis asserted, highlighting his consistent performance and self-belief.
Francis further elaborated on why he believes he would be the ideal successor to Slater as X Division Champion. He contended that his acquisition of the title from Slater would generate a significant and impactful reaction from the audience.
“So who would be better to take that X Division title off Leon Slater than me? Who would get a better reaction to take that X Division off Leon Slater than me?” he rhetorically asked. He also brought up his previous encounter with Slater for the X Division title.
Francis claimed that he was unfairly treated in that match. He specifically cited interference from BDE, Rich Swann, and the referee as reasons for his perceived defeat.
Shifting his focus, Francis then launched into a strong critique of his detractors. He expressed frustration with those who have seemingly lined up to undermine him and his career.
“I was in business for myself when everybody told me I was worthless 2 1/2 years ago. I was in business for myself then. So why do I gotta pretend I’m not in business for myself now?” Francis stated, defending his self-serving approach.
He continued, “I think if you don’t appreciate the things that I bring to the table as the best big man in the business, as the best heel in the business, personally, I feel, ‘F— ya.’” This is a clear and defiant statement of his feelings towards those who do not recognize his contributions.
Francis then addressed any potential repercussions from his outspokenness. “And if you have a problem with me saying that, that’s your problem. I can go out of my way disrespecting nobody. I don’t go out of my way talking down to nobody.”
He concluded by asserting that the conflict is often initiated by others. “It’s always other people that want to start with me. The problem is they bring a knife to a gun fight and they get mad they get clapped,” Francis remarked, using a metaphor to describe the perceived imbalance of their confrontational approach.
Looking ahead, AJ Francis is scheduled to compete in a SacTown Street Fight against KC Navarro. This match is set to take place on the upcoming episode of “Impact,” which will be broadcast live from Sacramento, California.
The show is scheduled to air on AMC and will commence at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, offering fans another opportunity to witness Francis in action and potentially hear more of his unfiltered opinions.
