In a recent interview with Denise Salcedo, former WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali reflected on his final run with the company in NXT and shared details of a meaningful conversation he had with the brand’s creative head, Shawn Michaels. Ali explained that the validation he received from the Hall of Famer has allowed him to look back on his WWE tenure with a sense of peace.
Ali revealed that during his time back in NXT, he had a private discussion with the man in charge of the brand. “I got to have a really nice talk with Shawn. He really reiterated to me his belief in me,” Ali said. “It’s Shawn Michaels, he doesn’t need to say these things. I don’t think he’s the type to give out compliments just ’cause.”
The conversation left a lasting positive impression on Ali, giving him a new perspective on his career path with the company. “He just said some things that like, I’ll have a smile on my face about my time with WWE and NXT just because of that conversation,” he shared.
Acknowledging the common criticism that he never quite reached the top tier in WWE, Ali stated that having the respect of a legend like Michaels is what truly matters to him. “Yeah, you can knock on me like, ‘Ali’s the guy who got right here and never quite broke through’,” he said. “But hey, if I got Shawn Michaels’ approval, I’m good with that.”
Mustafa Ali’s final run in WWE took place in the summer of 2023, where he returned to the NXT brand as a “free agent” and was featured in a prominent storyline for the North American Championship. He was released from his WWE contract in September 2023. Since becoming a free agent, Ali has started on a “world tour,” becoming one of the most sought-after names on the independent circuit and competing for major promotions such as NJPW, TNA, and GCW
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Denise Salcedo with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
