AJ Francis, formerly known as Top Dolla in WWE, recently gave some insight into his memorable dive last year on an episode of SmackDown that saved his life.
His journey
After playing as a defensive lineman in the NFL, he signed with WWE in 2020 before being paired with Hit Row in NXT the following May. The group was called up, and they were placed on SmackDown in October 2021.
However, the company released Francis, Ashante “Thee” Adonis, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, and B-Fab in November 2021. WWE brought back Francis, Adonis, and B-Fab for a run on SmackDown the following August. Francis was let go this past September, while Adonis & B-Fab remain signed to WWE.
The moment
In a post on Twitter, Francis responded to the one-year anniversary of the botched spot. He learned he had Type 2 diabetes following it.
“The botch saved my life. I made that dive a dozen times before, legs felt off but I didn’t think about it. After I failed I went to the doc & found out I had Type II diabetes & my blood sugar was 626. I almost lost my life & was about to lose both feet. The botch saved my life.”
Francis added in the comments that he doesn’t require insulin injections.
Wow. pic.twitter.com/2pz8WSQuBr
— Wrestling News (@WrestlingNewsCo) December 18, 2023
The botch saved my life. I made that dive a dozen times before, legs felt off but I didn’t think about it. After I failed I went to the doc & found out I had Type II diabetes & my blood sugar was 626.
I almost lost my life & was about to lose both feet. The botch saved my life. https://t.co/NV1zxspjr2
— Dolla 💰 (@AJFrancis410) December 17, 2023