Mustafa Ali was to become the NXT North American Champion
Added 2023-10-03 17:04:22 +0000 UTCThe WWE NXT brand was going to look a whole lot different before the WWE releases.
Trick Williams is the new NXT North American Champion after defeating Dominik Mysterio at NXT No Mercy, however, that wasn’t the original plan. There were some incorrect reports stating that Dominik was originally scheduled to retain over Mustafa Ali. Actually, Mustafa Ali was supposed to win the North American Championship prior to his release. This is one of the reasons why NXT higher ups stated to us they were frustrated by the call to cut him.
Dominik Mysterio was always slated to retain the NXT North American Title over Dragon Lee on the September 25 episode of WWE Raw, but sources with knowledge of the situation told us that the original creative called for Mustafa Ali to cost Dragon Lee the match. This would have played off of Ali’s teases to appear on WWE Raw. After that, a triple threat match for the title would have been set for NXT No Mercy where Mustafa Ali would win the North American title. How things would have worked from that point aren’t clear, but Shawn Michaels, Mustafa Ali and NXT creative had tentative plans for Ali on the brand into March of 2024.
Comments
Of all the guy they could have cut (cough Omos cough) they cut Ali, the guy who is feuding for a title and is set to wrestle for said title on a PLE. What a stupid decision. AEW will definitely hire him.
Sokun Ros
2023-10-04 04:01:14 +0000 UTCYeah , like 2 years ago. Well before his move to NXT. He was clearly invested in getting to tell a story for once in his WWE career.
Aaron P
2023-10-03 23:45:59 +0000 UTCis Ali request the release
Sébastien Marleau
2023-10-03 23:31:30 +0000 UTCThis news hurts my heart man! Waited forever for Ali to get a singles title run and sustained feuds and then they do this. I was so annoyed when they put the belt on Dom in the first place but kept telling myself it would be worth it if Ali beat him for it eventually.. so depressing
Aaron P
2023-10-03 21:34:35 +0000 UTCSMH. WWE execs didn't know what they had in Ali, clearly.
Margie Del Castillo
2023-10-03 18:34:44 +0000 UTCI feel it’s way better to have trick go over. As he’s a up and coming talent. Lot of potential. Ali will always be mid.
Justin Abram
2023-10-03 17:35:02 +0000 UTCDid Ali know this plan? If so that must this so much worse for him.
Zachary Ament
2023-10-03 17:28:37 +0000 UTCI figured if Trick won then that means Mustafa Ali was supposed to win over Dom & that seems to be the case.
Laquita Momon
2023-10-03 17:25:56 +0000 UTCDamnnn, that makes me even more disappointed that Ali is gone. Can’t take anything away from Trick tho, he’s great!
Dylan Stewart
2023-10-03 17:25:23 +0000 UTCIt feels like Vince REALLY didn’t want him to be a champion
patchyrick
2023-10-03 17:14:44 +0000 UTCMaybe? But it sounds like they told him right before it went public.
thaddperkins
2023-10-03 17:14:09 +0000 UTCJust makes me shake my head
Doreen Ford
2023-10-03 17:10:45 +0000 UTCFuck, this just makes it all the more mystifying
Magan Yusuf
2023-10-03 17:10:44 +0000 UTCThis company never learns. I feel bad for Ali - I wonder if he knew that he was going to win the title
slick
2023-10-03 17:09:35 +0000 UTCSomeone really had it out for Ali. Guy was going to be WWE champion. Gets hurt. Never gets another opportunity. Was going to win MITB and then Brock happened. Now this.
Kyle Cotton
2023-10-03 17:08:14 +0000 UTCIf that was the case, could Shawn have fought to keep him?
Tim Wininger
2023-10-03 17:07:14 +0000 UTCI knew it
Brendan Bdotlion Beal
2023-10-03 17:06:57 +0000 UTCDamn…
Busby
2023-10-03 17:06:18 +0000 UTC
