Mustafa Ali, also known as Adeel Alam, has ventured into the independent circuit and New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) since parting ways with WWE. Joining WWE in 2016, Ali left the company before his scheduled match at NXT No Mercy.
Ali’s first post-WWE appearance occurred on January 6, 2024, and he is slated to feature in Progress Wrestling on January 28. The 37-year-old wrestler surfaced in NJPW through a video clip during Battle in the Valley, challenging Hiromu Takahashi at the Windy City Riot event.
Mustafa Ali challenges Hiromu Takahashi
Mustafa Ali was supposed to face Dominik Mysterio but before that, he was released from WWE. Now, Ali is all set for his upcoming match at NJPW’s Windy City Riot. The former WWE star made his debut at ‘Battle in the Valley’ at San Jose Civic Center, where during the event he issued a challenge to the current IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi.
MUSTAFA ALI HAS CHALLENGED HIROMU TAKAHASHI!
— NJPW Global (@njpwglobal) January 14, 2024
Windy City Riot April 12:https://t.co/UuTuvLOJmn
LIVE on @fitetv!https://t.co/yevfxDp7nw#njpw #njbitv #njriot pic.twitter.com/waEUa7Vorl
“A man who is mentally unstable! A man who literally goes into battle with a stuffed animal in his arms. New Japan Pro-Wrestling deserves better than this. And I will see to it, that it is rebuilt, reignited, and reclaims its former glory. So Mr. Takahashi, I am here to inform you that you are unfit to be a leader. You will be replaced. You will be removed. I am here to issue an executive order that you and I will have a match, on April 12th, at the Windy City Riot,” said Mustafa.
Us?
— é«æ©ăăă / Hiromu Takahashi (@TIMEBOMB1105) January 14, 2024
Ohhhhhhhhh!Yeaaaahhhhhhhhh!
Mustafa Ali đ
#njbitv https://t.co/0aJq6bPo4o pic.twitter.com/savSLC2NfB
Following Mustafa Ali’s statement, Hiromu Takahashi took to Twitter to share his opinion on the upcoming match. He posted a picture of his stuffed animal and wrote in the caption, “Us? Ohhhhhhhhh!Yeaaaahhhhhhhhh! Mustafa Ali.”
Aliâs appearances at different promotions show his talent for exploring other opportunities. The move to other wrestling promotions shows his professional wrestling portfolio and opens up a new path for better matches in the future.
Ali scores victory at GCW
Mustafa Ali fought Gringo Loco at GCW on January 12, where the 37-year-old superstar took the win from Loco. During their match at Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), Ali applied a Koji Clutch which caused Gringo to pass out and give the victory to Mustafa by default.
*BREAKING*
— GameChangerWrestling (@GCWrestling_) December 21, 2023
MUSTAFA ALI returns to CHICAGO on January 12th and faces off with GRINGO LOCO in a battle for the Windy City at Thalia Hall!
Tix:https://t.co/tsqOpizbPs
Plus:
Andrade v Gresham
Deathmatch Royalty v Bussy/Maki
Nick Gage
+more
Watch LIVE on @FiteTV+#MustafaAli2024 pic.twitter.com/ElLyrlxXr3
After the match, Ali took the mike and said, âBecause of Gringo Loco, I tore it up in the Cruiserweight Classic. Because of Gringo Loco, I became the heart of 205 Live. Because of Gringo Loco, I pinned the WWE Champion. Because of Gringo Loco, Mustafa Ali exists.”
Fans are eagerly anticipating Ali’s upcoming match in April, marking the first time Mustafa has challenged Hiromu Takahashi. Both athletes showcase comparable skills, and fans are eager to witness their showdown at NJPW’s Windy City Riot.
