Mustafa Ali Requests WWE Release
This SmackDown roster member wants out of WWE - but will the company agree?
Mustafa Ali has requested to be released from his WWE contract.
The 35-year-old broke the news via social media earlier today, tweeting the following as part of a brief video:-
"I have a message that is much bigger than my dreams in pro wrestling. Despite my best efforts, I will not be able to deliver this message while working with WWE. Therefore, I am requesting my release from WWE."
At the time of writing, there was no word on whether or not WWE had agreed to let Ali go. That Toni Storm was granted her release after requesting it in December 2021 bodes well, however.
Ali has been with WWE since 2016, when he entered the promotion via the Cruiserweight Classic tournament. Slotting into the lower weight class thereafter, Mustafa was eventually moved from 205 Live over to the main roster, briefly coming within touching distance of the WWE Championship in 2018 and 2019 before falling down the pecking order.
2020 saw Ali inserted as the leader of the doomed RETRIBUTION faction. With that group splitting in March 2021, Ali worked with Mansoor through summer, culminating in a singles match between the two at Crown Jewel 2021.
Recently, Mustafa has been off WWE television, with his last bout taking place on SmackDown's 29 October episode. Ali's wife, Uzma, gave birth to daughter Dua on 24 November, though he has not returned to the promotion since.