In a confident and controversial statement, TNA star AJ Francis has claimed he is directly responsible for the recent success and popularity of several prominent wrestlers, including “The Viral Sensation” Joe Hendry and current TNA World Champion Trick Williams. Speaking with Malcolm on the “Muscle Memory” YouTube channel, Francis declared himself the “greatest star of this generation” for his ability to elevate everyone he works with.
“When we go back in the annals of time, and we look at all the people that I’ve crossed paths with and how their career has changed after they cross paths with me, we’ll be able to discuss who really is the greatest star of this generation, which is myself,” Francis stated. Scroll down to watch the interview, scroll further to read more.Â
He then listed specific examples to back up his claim, starting with his “First Class” stablemate, former TNA Digital Media Champion Casey Navarro. “Y’all wasn’t talking about Casey Navarro,” he said. “Casey is not a better talent than he was a year ago. He was just as good last year. The difference is he got to be with me, so he got to highlight how good he is.” He made a similar claim about Rich Swann: “You guys had wrote Rich Swann off completely. Yeah, until he joined First Class.”
His boldest claims involved Joe Hendry and Trick Williams. “Nobody was downloading Joe Hendry’s music until he started wrestling AJ Francis,” he said. He then argued that he was the reason Trick Williams, a beloved babyface, received a negative reaction for the first time. “I don’t remember any other time trick left the stage to a chorus of boos like he did at the end of the First Class Penthouse,” he stated. “You got heel Trick because you put him with First Class… people hate me.”
Francis dismissed fans who are only now appreciating his work. “I don’t care about them people that like me now. I ain’t changed anything,” he declared. “If you just now realizing that I’m the man, then you have bad taste.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Muscle Man Malcolm with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
