Report: Backstage News On Mustafa Ali's WWE Raw Status

Although he is a part of the Raw roster, Mustafa Ali was recently revealed as a participant in the SmackDown World Cup as a replacement for the injured Rey Mysterio, leading to questions about Ali’s future on either brand.

Ali - who is currently embroiled in a feud with US Champion Seth Rollins on Raw - was announced for the World Cup alongside SmackDown stars Shinsuke Nakamura, Ricochet, Butch, Jinder Mahal, Sami Zayn, Santos Escobar, and Braun Strowman. However, a report from Fightful Select suggests that Ali will remain part of the Raw roster going forward, and will work both Raw and SmackDown events during the World Cup.

No reason was given as to why Ali was chosen over other contracted SmackDown stars, but it may have been a decision based on diversity due to Ali’s heritage, with WWE likely wanting to avoid an apparent ‘all American’ World Cup such as the 2018 World Cup that featured Shane McMahon, Dolph Ziggler, Seth Rollins, Bobby Lashley, Kurt Angle, and Jeff Hardy amongst others.

Ali’s parents are from Pakistan and India, although Ali himself is American, having been born and raised in Illinois. It remains to be seen if WWE play up Ali’s heritage during the World Cup.