From WWE Release to Reinvention: Inside Mustafa Ali’s Next Chapter

Mustafa Ali got cut from WWE in 2023, shrugged, hit the gas on a world tour, grabbed gold in TNA, and now he just walked back into NXT to collect a title shot he says was promised before he was released. Not subtle. Also not boring.

The release that didn’t rattle him

Ali told Straight Talk Wrestling (via Post Wrestling) that he expected the release and didn’t feel sad about it. He’d asked out before, knew his value, and decided to bet on himself. He says that bet paid off fast.

"In two months, I’ve already taken over the industry. Sold-out show after sold-out show. I can’t keep enough merchandise. It’s like I’m the hottest free agent in the world right now… in like 60 days?"

That bravado wasn’t just talk. He packaged the whole thing with a slick 'campaign' vibe and a globe-trotting schedule that was openly inspired by Cody Rhodes’ post-WWE playbook. Cody barnstormed the world with dream matches to rebuild his stock; Ali basically said, cool, I’ll do that too.

The TNA chapter: quick rise, louder buzz

Post-WWE, Ali popped up across the indies and in TNA Wrestling, where he quickly caught fire. He won the TNA X-Division Championship and held it for 148 days (per Cagematch). Behind the scenes, Fightful Select (via Wrestling Inc.) reported he wasn’t actually signed long-term at first — it was a per-appearance deal.

That changed on January 24, 2025. Ali told the live crowd at a TNA show (and on X soon after) that he’d officially signed with the company. He framed it as a leadership move — literally launching a 'campaign' to become TNA World Heavyweight Champion. He didn’t end up taking that top belt, but the presentation worked. The crowds stayed loud, the merch kept moving, and the buzz followed him everywhere.

And then: back to NXT, with receipts

WWE’s NXT and TNA have been scrapping on and off lately — run-ins, brawls, the whole messy crossover. So the timing here is very inside baseball. On the latest NXT, Ethan Page was in the ring talking up his beef with El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. when Ali’s music hit. Page told him he didn’t owe him a 'damn' thing. Ali didn’t argue that — he said NXT owed him one: a North American Title match he earned before he was released. WWE even posted the interruption clip on October 1, 2025.

Result: Ali is officially getting Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship at NXT Showdown. That’s the payoff he’s been chasing since he got cut.

Quick timeline

• 2023: Mustafa Ali announces via X that he’s been released from WWE; later tells Straight Talk Wrestling (via Post Wrestling) he expected it and decided to bet on himself.
• Late 2023–2024: Launches a self-styled 'campaign' world tour inspired by Cody Rhodes; heats up on the indies and in TNA.
• 2024: Wins the TNA X-Division Championship and holds it 148 days (Cagematch).
• Throughout 2024: Works TNA on a per-appearance deal (Fightful Select via Wrestling Inc.).
• Jan 24, 2025: Announces to the live crowd that he’s officially signed with TNA; vows to lead and chase the World Heavyweight Title.
• 2025: Falls short of the TNA World Heavyweight Championship but stays hot with fans.
• Oct 1, 2025: Returns to NXT TV, interrupts Ethan Page, says he’s back for the North American Title shot NXT promised before his release; WWE posts the segment.
• Oct 7, 2025: Ali vs Ethan Page for the NXT North American Championship at NXT Showdown.

How to watch

NXT Showdown is October 7, 2025. In the U.S., it’s live on The CW. Internationally, it’s streaming on Netflix.