Top Dolla Reveals Botched Dive Led to Diabetes Diagnosis
AJ Francis, previously known as Top Dolla in WWE, has described how his well-known botched dive on SmackDown ended up being a pivotal moment that probably saved his life.
On December 16, 2022 episode of SmackDown, Francis partnered with Ashante ‘Thee’ Adonis in a three-way tag team match against Ivar and Erik of the Viking Raiders and Cruz Del Toro and Joaquin Wilde from Legado Del Fantasma.
In the match, Francis tried to execute a dive over the top rope but struggled to clear it, barely making it out of the ring. Despite enduring ridicule from the fans following this mistake, the Hit Row star has disclosed that the blunder actually resulted in a significant positive outcome.
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.
— Dolla 💰 (@AJFrancis410) December 17, 2023
I almost lost my life & was about to lose both feet. The botch saved my life. https://t.co/NV1zxspjr2
A fan posted the video of the same botched suicide dive on Twitter to commemorate the first anniversary of the botch. Francis responded by sharing that despite routinely performing a dive, this instance felt off as he felt weak in his legs.
Francis visited the doctors following the incident where it was revealed that he had a dangerously high blood sugar. He was then diagnosed with type II diabetes.
This diagnosis, stemming from the failed move, likely spared his life, as he faced severe health risks. Acknowledging the incident’s silver lining, Francis recognized the pivotal role the wrestling mistake played in discovering his life-threatening condition.
Francis was released from WWE in September for the second time in his career. His final televised wrestling match occurred on August 11 SmackDown episode, where he competed in singles action losing to LA Knight.