Ali is back on the independents.
For the first time since 2017, Mustafa Ali wrestled outside of WWE. He was released from the company in September and is now back on the independent scene with multiple dates lined up.
His first stop was France for APC (Association les Professionnels du Catch). He scored a win over Aigle Blanc in the main event and after the bout, he spoke to the audience in attendance. The video of Ali’s speech was captured by @LucasCharpiot on X.
He stated that every upper management person he’s worked for in wrestling has told him that no one will ever cheer for someone with the name ‘Mustafa Ali’. He encouraged the audience to show those individuals that they will do the opposite. Ali expressed that he wants change in the industry.
Ali went on to say that he’s shared the ring with the likes of Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton and A.J. Styles and his opponent for his first post-WWE match is just as good as those names. He closed by saying he landed in France on the day of and did not get any sleep but being in the ring gives him life.
I’ve been thinking for more than the past 90 days, what’s the first thing I wanna say? And it’s as simple as this and if I tear up, I apologize because I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Every upper management person that I have ever worked for in this industry has told me to my face, ‘No one will ever cheer for someone named Mustafa Ali.’ No, no. Even better than, ‘F*ck them,’ show them, and to those people watching, right now I’m in a sold-out house at A.P.C. 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. The young man, the young man that I just shared the ring with (Aigle Blanc), let me tell you something, I have been in the ring with Rey Mysterio, I have been in the ring with A.J. Styles, Randy Orton, you name ‘em. I’ve been in the ring with them and you, my good man, are just as good as them. It was an absolute honor. This was for me more than you, trust me. It was an absolute honor to perform here. I landed this morning and I have not slept, and I don’t give a sh*t because this gives me life. Thank you all, good night, I love you.
In the coming weeks and months, Ali has dates lined up with GCW, Demand Lucha, PROGRESS, C*4, DEFY, DREAMWAVE and Prestige Wrestling.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit @LucasCharpiot on X with an H/T to POST Wrestling for the transcription.
