Report: WWE Not Granting Mustafa Ali's Release Request
Ali announced Sunday he'd asked for his release
Jan 20, 2022
WWE does not intend to release Mustafa Ali from his contract at this time, according to a report from Fightful Select.
Ali made public notice of his release request on Sunday, writing, "I have a message that is much bigger than my dreams in pro wrestling. Despite my best efforts, I will not be able to deliver this message while working with WWE. Therefore, I am requesting my release from WWE."
Fightful reports that WWE and Ali have spoken and that Ali was told that he's not being granted his release.
The report reads, "Ali has years left on his WWE deal, but hasn't been used on WWE TV or even at tapings in over two months.
"We were told the term 'value' was brought up a lot in the discussions between Ali and WWE, thought we weren't given specifics on that or why WWE didn't grant the release."
Ali reportedly had a "heated argument" with Vince McMahon last autumn that preceded his months-long absence. Reports claimed that McMahon pitched a character direction that was "something Mustafa Ali would never have done." The two reportedly argued as a result of the pitch, and Ali hasn't been around since.
Ali's most recent match in WWE was a quick loss to Drew McIntyre on the October 29 SmackDown.
