AJ Francis has some complaints about how TNA used to be run, and he’s not keeping them to himself. The former WWE Superstar believes the company’s previous leadership had an outdated way of deciding who deserved opportunities, especially when it came to championships. Francis says things have changed under Carlos Silva, whom he now considers the best boss he’s ever worked for.
Speaking on The Wrestling Classic, Francis was asked how TNA has changed since he joined the company and how its move to AMC has affected the promotion. He immediately pointed to the difference in leadership, explaining that he prefers Silva’s approach over the way the company operated in the past.
Francis believes the previous administration relied too heavily on traditional professional wrestling thinking. He praised Silva for bringing a different approach to managing the company and credited him with securing TNA’s television deal.
“Uh, you know, I think just the leadership style has changed. I think the old leadership style was much more like oldtimey pro wrestling and I love how Carlos runs TNA.”
Francis then defended Silva against people who have criticized his leadership, arguing that outsiders don’t understand everything he’s done for the promotion.
“Um, you know, there’s all these people that, you know, that have no real insight on how the company’s run or how the great things that Carlos has brought. Like Carlos is the reason we got a TV deal. Like, like we had, we’re on AMC because of the work of Carlos.”
Francis didn’t stop there. He explained that he’s able to communicate directly with Silva and appreciates the way he runs TNA.
“Like that’s huge, right? And so like to have someone like that at the helm that I can, I mean I talked to him today, like he’s my favorite boss I ever worked for and I think that having him at the helm has been such a big help, such an improvement.”
One of the biggest differences, according to Francis, is that Silva approaches wrestling more like a legitimate sports organization instead of relying on the same philosophy that’s been used in the business for decades. Francis believes that approach could finally benefit him, especially considering how long it’s been since he last held championship gold in TNA.
“And his leadership style is more so of like real sports, right? Um, he doesn’t ignore what’s right in front of his face, right? Like it’s a damn shame that it’s been two years since I’ve been a champion in TNA. And Carlos recognizes that, right?”
That’s when Francis took his biggest shot at the company’s previous approach to handing out championships. He suggested that wrestlers who had already put in the work were sometimes passed over in favor of newer talent who hadn’t accomplished nearly as much.
“The old wrestling leadership style would be like, ‘Well, he’s still got a lot to prove, but let’s put a title on this guy who’s been here six months who nobody gives a shit about.’ Like that’s the, that’s the old wrestling style, right? And Carlos, Carlos recognizes what’s in front of his face.”
Francis didn’t name any specific wrestlers he believes were unfairly pushed ahead of him, but his frustration was pretty clear. He believes he’s spent enough time building stories, helping opponents and proving himself to deserve another championship opportunity. His comments also came as he continued making the case that he should eventually become TNA World Champion. Francis believes he’s already established himself as one of the promotion’s top performers and shouldn’t have to keep proving the same thing over and over again.
“I do it because I’m trying to steal the show. I do it because I want to prove that I’m the best big man in the business and that I should be TNA World Heavyweight Champion. Um, I think that there’s only a matter of time before these things come to fruition because of the work that I’m putting in.”
Francis clearly believes TNA is in better hands with Silva running the show, and he’s hoping that change eventually leads to a world championship run. He hasn’t accused any specific former executive of holding him back, but he certainly doesn’t miss the old way of making decisions.
Now the question is whether Silva sees Francis as a future world champion or whether Francis will have to keep waiting for the opportunity he believes he’s already earned.
Do you agree with AJ Francis that TNA’s leadership has improved under Carlos Silva, and should Francis get another championship run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
