Every WWE Cruiserweight Classic Wrestler - Where Are They Now?
18. Mustafa Ali
Tournament result: Defeated in the first round by Lince Dorado.
What was he doing at the time?
A last-second replacement for Zumbi after inopportune Visa issues robbed the Brazilian of his breakthrough opportunity, Mustafa Ali entered the Cruiserweight Classic bracket without so much as the sly raising of an eyebrow. Not predicted to go deep into the tournament, Ali was at least forecast for brighter things beyond his early elimination, a forecast which, unlike the traditional pattern of British weather, remained true; he was signed to a full-time WWE contract based solely on how he performed in his 6-minute loss vs. Lince Dorado, even if it was the most uneven 7 years of his life.
What is he doing now?
Cut from WWE in September 2023 after having publicly requested his release earlier that year, Mustafa Ali made a quick dart for TNA during its honeymoon period after having transitioned away from its IMPACT Wrestling iconography. It proved to be the correct move for Ali, despite mass expectation for him to become All Elite, as he has thus far captured both the X Division and International Championships instead of his presumed position as an afterthought on Tony Khan's oversaturated roster.