The controversy around WWE’s latest releases and the departure of Mustafa Ali continues.
On September 21st, WWE continued its recent cost-cutting and released a number of main roster and NXT Superstars. Two names that caused the most surprise among the fanbase were those of Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler.
While Ziggler is a former World Champion, Ali has featured regularly for NXT in recent months and was advertised for a match at No Mercy. This reportedly led to a great deal of frustration backstage with a lack of communication highlighted as a big issue.
As reported by Fightful Select, “several people” were unhappy that Ali had been let go, and sources indicated “frustration” at the poor communication around the move.
In the days ahead of his departure, there was no indication that Ali would be leaving, and he continued to be involved in the build for No Mercy. There has also been a push to feature established names in NXT, which Ali and his planned opponent Dominik Mysterio are, but that match has obviously been scrapped.
Shawn Michaels Will Miss Mustafa Ali
Speaking on a media call ahead of No Mercy, NXT boss Shawn Michaels discussed Mustafa Ali’s WWE release. Michaels said he found out about the departure just before the news went public, and talked up Ali’s ability, commenting he “thinks the world of him.”
“I found out right before he did. I will say this, I’d be lying to you if I said it didn’t take us by surprise. That’s one thing I’m learning here is that main roster and NXT are totally separate rosters. I think the world of Mustafa, had a great working relationship with him in the time that he was here, I will miss him. That’s what we do here in NXT. We adjust. The fire drill is something that is a regular thing here in the WWE and certainly here at NXT.”
Trick Williams has taken Ali’s place at No Mercy and will challenge Dominik Mysterio for the North American Title.