Mustafa Ali has made his return to WWE, immediately inserting himself into the title picture by confronting North American Champion Ethan Page. The heated exchange culminated with an official championship match being set for the upcoming Showdown event.
The core of the confrontation was a promo from Ali, who directly referenced the circumstances of his departure from the company. He detailed an unfulfilled opportunity from two years prior, linking a promised title shot directly to his eventual release.
“It wasn’t that long ago that I earned an opportunity at the North American Championship, but that opportunity never came, and I started to wonder, maybe I’m cursed, but on this very day two years ago, I was promised a North American Championship match, but on that day the sun did not rise,” Ali stated. “Instead of a title match, I got a phone call. A phone call that my services were no longer needed. And here we are, 749 days later and I still am waiting for the championship match that I earned!”
Ali’s return marks his first appearance since being released from WWE on September 21, 2023. He had previously requested to be let go in January 2022, a request that was not granted at the time. Following his departure, Ali worked on the independent circuit, with prominent appearances in promotions such as TNA and New Japan Pro-Wrestling beginning in late 2023 and early 2024.