Former WWE and TNA star AJ Francis has openly questioned WWE’s rationale behind letting go of talents like Karrion Kross and Ashante Thee Adonis after their contracts expired. Francis expressed a preference to discuss the potential and work ethic of Ashante over Karrion Kross, highlighting the puzzling nature of WWE’s talent management strategy[4].

Both Karrion Kross and Ashante Thee Adonis confirmed their departures from WWE in early August 2025, sparking discussions about WWE’s current roster shakeup and contract negotiation approach. Kross and his real-life spouse Scarlett Bordeaux reportedly had difficult contract talks with WWE, culminating in their exit. Meanwhile, Ashante Thee Adonis, after six years under WWE’s banner, decided not to renew his contract and announced his WWE departure on social media with a message of gratitude and optimism for his future[3][2].

AJ Francis, formerly known as Top Dolla in WWE, has transitioned successfully to impacting other wrestling promotions like TNA, where he holds championships WWE never handed him. Speaking candidly about the departures, Francis critiqued WWE’s apparent undervaluing of talent like Ashante Thee Adonis and Karrion Kross, who showed promise but were released seemingly without strategic consideration. Francis emphasized that he personally preferred to talk about Ashante’s efforts and development within NXT and beyond rather than dwell on Kross’s exit drama, suggesting Ashante’s hardworking attitude and storylines deserved more spotlight[4][5].

Ashante Thee Adonis made his WWE debut in 2019, initially wrestling under the name Elijah King before solidifying his place in the Hit Row faction alongside Swerve Strickland, Top Dolla, and B-Fab. Despite being released in 2021 along with the rest of Hit Row, Ashante returned in 2022 and steadily developed new characters and story arcs, including an on-screen romance with Karmen Petrovic on NXT. His recent contract expiration and exit from WWE were met with mixed fan reactions, some praising his growth while others debated whether he had yet reached his full potential. On social media, Ashante expressed a bullish outlook about becoming the “best version” of himself outside WWE, actively seeking bookings and career opportunities elsewhere[2][1].

Meanwhile, Karrion Kross, once a dominant NXT champion, left under more contentious circumstances. WWE reportedly found contract renewal discussions “confusing and stressful,” leading to the departure of Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux. Their exits highlight a growing trend of competitive wrestling contracts where performers have multiple appealing alternatives, including AEW and TNA. Kross’s exit triggered significant fan speculation as WWE’s recent storylines often blend real contract drama with on-screen fiction[3].

With Ashante Thee Adonis now part of WWE’s alumni and making appearances in TNA as part of WWE’s multi-year partnership with the Nashville-based promotion, industry watchers wonder if his post-WWE trajectory may finally showcase the career progression he sought but did not fully achieve in Stamford. AJ Francis’s own success in winning titles in TNA since leaving WWE adds weight to his criticism of WWE’s talent release decisions[1].

According to sources close to the ongoing roster changes, WWE seems focused on refreshing and streamlining its talent pool ahead of new programming seasons, which may explain the difficult decisions regarding contract renewals. However, critics like AJ Francis argue that releasing artists who still have strong fan support and creative potential risks losing valuable assets in a highly competitive wrestling market[4].

To summarize:

• AJ Francis publicly criticized WWE’s release of Karrion Kross and Ashante Thee Adonis, emphasizing Ashante’s positive attributes and questioning WWE’s logic[4].
• Ashante Thee Adonis departed WWE after six years, expressing gratitude but also readiness for new challenges outside WWE[2][1].
• Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux left WWE following failed contract negotiations reportedly fraught with confusion[3].
• Both departures highlight WWE’s current roster volatility amid a competitive wrestling ecosystem featuring AEW, TNA, and others[3].
• Ashante has begun exploring opportunities in TNA, potentially reuniting with AJ Francis, while Kross’s future remains a focal point of fan speculation[1].

According to a WWE insider familiar with backstage sentiments, “The company is going through a phase where they want to bring fresh faces and new storylines, but it sometimes overlooks the groundwork laid by talents like Ashante and Karrion. It’s a balancing act, and not everyone agrees with how it’s being handled.” This insider’s perspective aligns with AJ Francis’s outspoken views on the matter[4].

As the pro wrestling landscape evolves, fans and industry pundits will keenly watch how former WWE stars like Ashante Thee Adonis and Karrion Kross shape their post-WWE careers, potentially proving that sometimes success outside WWE is the true testament to a wrestler’s enduring appeal and capability.