AJ Francis Says He Paid His Dues In The NFL Before WWE NXT

AJ Francis made his big debut on NXT this week and he’s only getting started. He played professional football from 2013 to 2018, but he is now enjoying his time on the black and gold brand.

Francis is the big man as part of Isaiah “Swerve” Scott’s new stable with Briana Brandy, and Ashante Thee Adonis on NXT. He is in a great position to do some major damage and use his size well. While speaking to Sports Illustrated, the former NFL player explained that he paid his dues on the gridiron.

Some people might not like the fact that he skipped the indies, but AJ Francis explained how his story is different.

“I paid my dues, just in a different manner. I know people don’t like it when you don’t do the indies, but that’s when I was in the NFL. My story is different. I played in the NFL, I got a master’s degree, I have two albums, and I’ve been on tour for my music, but I never stopped loving wrestling. I went to every indie show I could, and I went to WrestleMania five different times before I ever signed. My dream is to be WWE champion. Until I’m WWE champion, my purpose on earth is not complete.”

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“That’s why it’s so cool to host this show [WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures]. It’s the coolest thing to ever happen to me. I hope every wrestling fan watching sees a little bit of themself in me.“

AJ Francis is host of A&E’s WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures as well. WWE had him in that role even before he debuted on television as a much meaner character than the man he really is on the show. You can check out a clip with The Undertaker and Kane on the A&E series below.