Mustafa goes over a number of topics.
The "Heart And Soul" of 205 Live Mustafa Ali is currently involved in a feud with former GHC Heavyweight Champion Hideo Itami. Hideo has gotten the best of Mustafa Ali over the past number of weeks and one of their matches resulted in Mustafa having to take time off in storyline. Ali will make his return to the ring next week when on 205 Live when he has his grudge match against Hideo but before that bout takes place, Mustafa Ali discussed how his WWE journey has panned out thus far when he was interviewed by 'The Express Tribune'.
This past April on the WrestleMania 34 Kickoff show, Mustafa Ali and Cedric Alexander went one-on-one to crown a new WWE Cruiserweight Champion and Cedric ultimately emerged victorious in that match. Mustafa stated during this interview that the better man won in New Orleans but once both men got to the back, he had a few words for the new champ.
“I think the better man won that night. Cedric is a perfect example of what the entire division embodies and he’s doing great leading the troops into battle every Tuesday night. But that spot won’t be his for long. Backstage at WrestleMania after our match, I hugged Cedric and told him I was proud of him. Then I looked him in the eye and told him, ‘Bring your best every week because you’re sitting in my chair’.” Ali stated.
Mustafa Ali has been a part of the 205 Live brand since its inception and he knew coming into WWE that he was not going to be a top priority on the brand at the time because there were guys with more name power that were going to have a better opportunity at earning those top spots than he was.
“Almost everyone else on the roster was well traveled and better known, competing in some of the biggest independent companies all over the world. I didn’t have that,” Ali continued, “I didn’t have a Ring Of Honor run, I didn’t compete at BOLA. I was a guy that stayed close to my local independent scene in Chicago because I simply had to. My family depended on my income, so my ‘real job’ (as a policeman) took priority.”
Ali has had the chance to work with a number of talents that have been and become focal points on 205 Live such as WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander, Buddy Murphy, Austin Aries and Neville. Ali went on to speak about Neville and stated that he would've loved to have a chance to have a long-term feud with the self-proclaimed "King Of The Cruiserweights".
“I think for me the best I’ve been in the ring with is Neville." Ali expressed. "He’s just next level. His intensity, his attention to detail, it’s just unmatched. I feel like a ‘Prince vs. King’ feud would’ve been amazing, but only time will tell if that will ever happen. On the current roster, Buddy Murphy and Cedric Alexander bring out the best in me.”
On a related note, it was reported last month that Neville was freed from his WWE contract but there have been no further updates on the status of the former Cruiserweight Champion. To read the initial report about Neville no longer being under contract to WWE, click here.
