Kemo
11-20-2021, 10:32 PM
Members of the Hit Row faction were probably the most surprising names to be let go during the latest wave of WWE releases. They had only been called up to the main roster last month.
Dave Meltzer provided some updates on this decision in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He revealed what probably led to their firing.
There had been rumors of Top Dolla having backstage heat in NXT. Meltzer reports that he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way during his time in the development brand:
“While he came across well on television, he rubbed a ton of people the wrong way in NXT and was getting the same reputation on the main roster.”
Vince McMahon apparently saw Top Dolla as the star of Hit Row due to his size. Once the decision was made to let him go, the other remaining members of the faction in Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Ashante Thee Adonis were likely “caught in the crossfire.”
WWE released over half a dozen names including talents such as John Morrison, Drake Maverick, and Tegan Nox earlier this week.
These stars including Hit Row will become free agents after their 90 days non-compete clause expires on Wednesday, February 16.
*UPDATE*
‘Top Dolla’ A.J. Francis has responded to the reports about his backstage behavior leading to the WWE release of the Hit Row faction.
The now-former WWE star took on his Twitter to comment on the report claiming that he rubbed people the wrong way in NXT.
Top Dolla explained that he got plenty of stories about how he was disrespected by the officials as well, but he has kept things professional:
1461780800953884678
For those who don’t know, Hit Row were among the half dozen names released from WWE during the latest budget cuts earlier this week.
A report provided some backstage info on the potential reason behind some of these cuts. It claimed that Top Dolla had rubbed some people within NXT the wrong way.
He had started getting the same reputation on the main roster which contributed to the decision of his release from the promotion.
Briana ‘B-Fab’ Brandy had already been let go by the officials earlier this month. Since Top Dolla was seen as the star of the faction, the decision was made to release Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Ashante “Thee” Adonis as well.
All the Hit Row members and the other released stars are expected to become free agents in February. We will have to see if the group remains together or go their separate ways after that.
Dave Meltzer provided some updates on this decision in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. He revealed what probably led to their firing.
There had been rumors of Top Dolla having backstage heat in NXT. Meltzer reports that he rubbed a lot of people the wrong way during his time in the development brand:
“While he came across well on television, he rubbed a ton of people the wrong way in NXT and was getting the same reputation on the main roster.”
Vince McMahon apparently saw Top Dolla as the star of Hit Row due to his size. Once the decision was made to let him go, the other remaining members of the faction in Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Ashante Thee Adonis were likely “caught in the crossfire.”
WWE released over half a dozen names including talents such as John Morrison, Drake Maverick, and Tegan Nox earlier this week.
These stars including Hit Row will become free agents after their 90 days non-compete clause expires on Wednesday, February 16.
*UPDATE*
‘Top Dolla’ A.J. Francis has responded to the reports about his backstage behavior leading to the WWE release of the Hit Row faction.
The now-former WWE star took on his Twitter to comment on the report claiming that he rubbed people the wrong way in NXT.
Top Dolla explained that he got plenty of stories about how he was disrespected by the officials as well, but he has kept things professional:
1461780800953884678
For those who don’t know, Hit Row were among the half dozen names released from WWE during the latest budget cuts earlier this week.
A report provided some backstage info on the potential reason behind some of these cuts. It claimed that Top Dolla had rubbed some people within NXT the wrong way.
He had started getting the same reputation on the main roster which contributed to the decision of his release from the promotion.
Briana ‘B-Fab’ Brandy had already been let go by the officials earlier this month. Since Top Dolla was seen as the star of the faction, the decision was made to release Isaiah “Swerve” Scott and Ashante “Thee” Adonis as well.
All the Hit Row members and the other released stars are expected to become free agents in February. We will have to see if the group remains together or go their separate ways after that.