A United States Title reign would carry special significance for Mustafa Ali.
Speaking with Scott Fishman of TV Insider, the RETRIBUTION leader was asked about his upcoming match with Riddle and what a victory would mean. Ali earned the championship opportunity by pinning Riddle on the March 1, 2021, edition of Monday Night Raw. He said the following:
"It means more to me than it would to a lot of people. My name is Mustafa Ali. Yes, I’m an American. But I feel people don’t look at me as an American. When I go to the grocery store with my wife she wears a hijab scarf over her head, and I notice the glares she gets. Pre-pandemic when we went out to dinner she would get the same looks. I’m always conscious that it doesn’t feel like home. Why do I feel like a visitor? I was born and raised here. I do love this country and what it can be. Growing up [in Chicago], I didn’t have someone that looked like me that represented as being American. I think it would be wild for a kid named Mohammed or Saʽid or a girl named Sara watching Raw seeing a guy named Mustafa Ali holding the United States championship."
Ali and Riddle are scheduled to face off on Monday, March 15. During the interview, Ali said that Riddle is “a stallion" and a "cardio machine." He added, “I’m looking forward to mixing it up with him. We’re going to put on a show.” Should Ali emerge victoriously, it will be his first championship in WWE.
In a recent Twitter Q&A, Ali revealed that he has been wrestling with a torn PCL. You can learn more here.
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