Mustafa Ali said he wanted to see a change in the wrestling industry, as he delivered a passionate promo in his first match since his WWE release.
Mustafa Ali was released by WWE in a round of cuts on September 21. He returned to the ring at the APC 20th Anniversary event on January 6. There, he beat Aigle Blanc. After the match, Ali cut an emotional promo and commented on the change that he wanted to see in the business.
“We’re more than past 90 days,” Mustafa Ali said. “What’s the first thing I want to say? It’s as simple as this. If I tear up, I apologize because I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Every upper management person I have ever worked for in this industry has told me to my face, ‘No one will ever cheer for someone named Mustafa Ali.’ [Crowd chants in response] No, no.
“Even better than ‘F*ck them,’ ‘Show them.’ [Crowd cheers] It’s those people watching right now, I’m at a sold-out house, and every single person in this building is chanting ‘Mustafa Ali.’ I’m gonna leave the ring tonight with one more note, and this is what I want in the industry. I want change in the industry, I want guys that are a certain level to reach down and pull people up.”
Mustafa Ali Praises His Opponent
Mustafa Ali then spoke highly of his opponent, Aigle Blanc. He noted that he had been in the ring with greats like Rey Mysterio and AJ Styles, and Blanc was just as good. Ali stated that it was an honor to perform on Saturday night.
“The young man that I just shared the ring with, let me tell you, I have been in the ring with Rey Mysterio, I have been in the ring with AJ Styles, Randy Orton, you name them, I have been in the ring with them,” Mustafa Ali said. “You, my good man, are just as good as them. It was an absolute honor to perform here. I landed this morning, and I have not slept. I don’t give a sh*t because this gives me life. Thank you all.”
Ali recently dropped teases about IMPACT, AEW, and ROH as he commented on his future. More information is available here.
