Mustafa Ali thinks highly of Ariya Daivari.
Mustafa Ali was a part of the 205 Live brand since its inception in 2016 and earned the nickname "The Heart Of 205 Live". Throughout his run on the Cruiserweight-exclusive brand, Ali challenged for the Cruiserweight Title on a number of occasions, had matches that he was a part of voted onto WWE's top matches of 2018 list and was/is praised by those who watch him work.
Ali has wrestled the majority of talents that are on 205 Live at some point over the past two years but there is one individual in particular that Ali feels is going to break through and that is former ICW Tag Team Champion Ariya Daivari. While Ali guest appeared on the 'Talk Is Jericho' podcast, he was asked who is the most underrated talent on 205 Live and went on to express how he felt Daivari has all the tools that are required to be a superstar in the WWE and added that all Daivari needs is a look from the writers and producers.
"As far as the most underrated on 205, man, the entire show is, but if you’re gonna twist my arm and [make me] pick one, I really feel like -- and it's not just because I’ve known him for a long time -- I really think Ariya Daivari is severely underrated. When you look at… he gets it. You know what I mean? His look, his presentation, he’s the easiest guy I’ve worked with, but to me I see dollar signs on him. Me, as like being in the ring with him, he gets so much heat and he’s so good." Ali said. "You know that guy -- he’s just got that intensity, and he looks like he’s ripping your head off. He’s got that, and I’m always like, ‘Man, I really wish the writers and the producers would see that’, and him and I have gone to bat for each other a thousand times to try and do something together. [It] just doesn’t work out, but he’s finally doing something with Hideo Itami and I’m really hoping that they see. He’s good on the mic, he can work, he’s got that… I think he’s the biggest… not even underrated. Something is gonna happen for him to get their eyes on him because I really feel like if they pay close attention to him, they would see what everyone else sees. Like everyone on the roster is like, ‘Man, Ariya is severely underrated’”.
Ali did not capture the Cruiserweight Title during his time on 205 Live but Kalisto, Akira Tozawa and Hideo Itami will have the chance to do so this Sunday at the Royal Rumble pay-per-view when those aforementioned names and the Cruiserweight Champion Buddy Murphy meet in Fatal 4-Way match with the title on the line.
If the quote in this article is used, please credit the 'Talk Is Jericho' podcast with an H/T to Fightful for the transcription.
