Mustafa Ali recently appeared on the “Straight Talk Wrestling” podcast to discuss a wide range range of topics, including his WWE release last year.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On his WWE release: “Expected, but there was no emotional, like, sadness associated with it. I’m a very business-oriented person. I know what I’m capable of. WWE is a huge entity, it’s a promotional machine and oftentimes what happens is guys at the top of the card are in those positions for a reason and obviously, we always hear about the revenue breaking-records that they’re making. So they obviously know what they’re doing. I, as an individual, always believed in the mantra of if you really believe in it, you’re willing to bet on yourself, right? And I was willing to bet on myself a year-and-a-half or two years ago, whenever it was (that I first asked for my release) and that’s all it really came down to. I know what I’m capable of. In two months, I’ve already taken over the industry. Sold-out show after sold-out show. I can’t keep enough merchandise. It’s like I’m the hottest free agent in the world right now… in like 60 days? So, I bet on myself, it’s already paid dividends and I’m excited for what the future holds.”
On taking inspiration from Cody Rhodes: “The only thing that I’m surprised about is how quick I was able to reap the rewards of my risk. Usually, this takes a while and we’re talking about a few months in… When I announced this run and I saw sold-out after sold-out after sold-out, these promoters started contacting me that they haven’t had someone move tickets and have these sell-out crowds since a Cody Rhodes. So to have that comparison and look where he’s at. Literally, the top of the business, heading into WrestleMania, the talk of the industry and deservingly so and Cody was a guy that I take a lot of inspiration from and what I mean by that is what set this all up was the launch of my campaign video which was released on December 21st… The concept behind it was who was the last guy that really made that impact of like, what’s gonna happen? And this is when Cody Rhodes released the list and I remember everyone was like, ‘Oh my God, these dream matches, but where? And how? How are we gonna see them?’ And I go, ‘What’s the 2024 Mustafa Ali version of the list?’ So the campaign video came about of, you know, calling out guys like Will Ospreay and ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey and (El Hijo del) Vikingo and (Matt) Cardona and all these notable names and that’s what happened is it became a frenzy of people wondering how is this gonna — where is he gonna go? Where is this gonna happen? And it’s happening, it’s happening so a marketing campaign well done.”
Mustafa Ali, the former WWE superstar, recently appeared on the “Straight Talk Wrestling” podcast to discuss various topics, including his WWE release last year. During the interview, Ali shared his perspective on the release and his future plans.
When asked about his WWE release, Ali expressed that he expected it but did not feel any emotional sadness associated with it. He considers himself a business-oriented person and understands the nature of WWE as a promotional machine. Ali believes that the wrestlers at the top of the card are there for a reason and acknowledged the revenue-breaking records they generate. Despite his release, Ali has always believed in betting on himself and his capabilities. He took a risk by asking for his release a year-and-a-half or two years ago, and it has already paid off. In just two months, he has taken over the industry, with sold-out shows and high merchandise demand. Ali sees himself as the hottest free agent in the world right now and is excited about what the future holds.
Ali also revealed that he draws inspiration from Cody Rhodes, a successful professional wrestler who has made a significant impact in the industry. Ali was surprised by how quickly he reaped the rewards of his risk. Within a few months of announcing his run, he saw sold-out crowds and received messages from promoters who hadn’t experienced such ticket sales since Cody Rhodes. Ali admires Rhodes’ position at the top of the business, heading into WrestleMania, and being the talk of the industry. He credits Rhodes as someone he takes inspiration from.
Ali explained that his campaign video, released on December 21st, played a crucial role in setting up his current success. The video was inspired by Cody Rhodes’ impactful list release, which generated excitement among fans about dream matches. Ali wanted to create a similar frenzy by calling out notable names like Will Ospreay, ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey, El Hijo del Vikingo, and Matt Cardona. The marketing campaign was well-executed, leaving people wondering where Ali would go and how it would happen. Ali emphasized that his campaign is now becoming a reality.
Overall, Mustafa Ali’s interview on the “Straight Talk Wrestling” podcast shed light on his perspective regarding his WWE release and his current success as an independent wrestler. He demonstrated his belief in himself and his ability to make an impact in the industry. Ali’s story serves as an inspiration for aspiring wrestlers who may face setbacks but can still achieve their goals through determination and self-belief.