September 21, 2023, was a dark day for dozens of WWE stars, including Mustafa Ali, Dolph Ziggler, and Matt Riddle, who were released by the company. The ninety-day non-compete clause for those talents has now expired, and nearly everyone of note that was released has started to appear elsewhere. Nic Nemeth, formally Ziggler, surprised NJPW fans with his brother earlier this week at Wrestle Kingdom. Riddle has returned to MLW, where he successfully battled Jacob Fatu last night at Kings of Coliseum.
Also, last night, across the planet in France at APC 20th Anniversary, Ali wrestled and won his first match since leaving WWE, defeating Aigle Blanc, before cutting an impassioned promo.
“I’ve been thinking for more than the past ninety days; what’s the first thing I want to say?” he began. “And it’s as simple as this, and if I tear up, I apologize because I mean this from the bottom of my heart. Every upper management person that I’ve ever worked for in this industry has told me to my face no one will ever cheer for someone named Mustafa Ali. (Boos and chants of ‘F-ck Them’ ring out)
“Nah nah, worse, even better than ‘F-ck Them,’ show them. (Loud cheers) To those people watching right now, I’m in a sold-out house at APC, and every single person in this building is chanting ‘Mustafa Ali.’ (Loud chants of ‘ALI’) I’m gonna leave the ring tonight with one more note and this is what I want in the industry. I want change in the industry. I want guys that are at a certain level to reach down and pull people up.
“The young man, the young man that I just shared the ring with, let me tell you something: I have been in the ring with Rey Mysterio. I have been in the ring with AJ Styles, Randy Orton, you name ’em. I’ve been in the ring with them, and you, my good man, are just as good as them. It was an absolute honor. This was for me more than you; trust me, it was an absolute honor to perform here. I landed this morning and I have not slept, and I don’t give a sh-t because this gives me life. Thank you all, good night.”
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