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Mustafa Ali has long been one of WWE's most underappreciated superstars. The Chicago native made headlines on Sunday when he posted a tweet requesting his release from WWE. It's not surprising to fans and pundits who've been frustrated with Ali's booking during his run.
Despite being an exceptional in-ring performer, creative character, and proficient talker, Ali has had a WWE career marred by missed opportunities. Whether it be injuries, dropped storylines, or lack of investment, WWE has let down one of its most consistent competitors to the point that he wants out.
With one foot out the door, an eye must look to the future for the former Retribution leader. His excellent skillset will make him a sought-after free agent. Ali will be desirable to any promotion for the multitude of dream matches he can offer. In this article, let's take a look at seven dream matches for Mustafa Ali outside of WWE.
7. Mustafa Ali vs. Bandido
Mustafa Ali has a wide variety of abilities inside the squared circle. His versatility makes him an ideal opponent around the world. When looking at the landscape, there might not be a more unique high-flying expert in the business like Bandido.
The luchador has made a name for himself across the wrestling world. From Mexico to the United States' independent scene, Bandido is the current PWG World Champion. His blend of strength, speed, and unreal agility make for a phenomenal encounter against Ali.
These two men can match each other in the air and quickness. The pace set by these stars would have fans on the edge of their seat. It would be a breathtaking clash that would deliver anywhere in the world. Ali can show exactly why he's a top-notch in-ring performer, and Bandido might be the right partner to highlight that.
6. Mustafa Ali vs. Hiromu Takahashi
NJPW has a plethora of stars that could produce magic against Mustafa Ali. His superb in-ring skills make him a perfect fit for New Japan Pro Wrestling. The top promotion in Japan has established its reputation by presenting the best pro wrestling in the world.
Their Junior Heavyweight division has always had an ace who stakes claim to being the best wrestler in the world. In 2022, that honor went to Hiromu Takahashi. The three-time Best of Super Juniors winner and four-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion is a wild competitor who brings insanity and punishment to any challenger. This makes him an ideal opponent for Ali and guarantees quality.
5. Mustafa Ali vs. Trey Miguel
Many fans will want to see Ali sign with AEW if he's granted release from WWE. However, AEW has a stacked roster that doesn't need more additions. For Ali, he deserves to be the main event player wherever he lands. His rise to the top will be fastest in IMPACT Wrestling. Whether it be in the X-Division or as a headliner, this seems like a match made in heaven.
There might not be anyone who could mesh better with Mustafa Ali like Trey Miguel. The former Rascalz finally earned the X-Division Championship at Bound For Glory. Miguel stole the show against Steve Maclin, Rocky Romero, and Rohit Raju. Ali vs. Miguel is the type of X-Division title match that could headline a pay-per-view.
4. Mustafa Ali vs. Sammy Guevara
"Mustafa Ali to AEW" might be a phrase fans will play with for the next few weeks. Regardless of whether he's granted his WWE release or not, there will be many fans that want to see Ali become "All Elite." Current Interim TNT Champion Sammy Guevara will be one dream opponent for the Chicago native.
Sammy Guevara is a master of aerial offense, with his springboard maneuvers keeping his challengers on their toes. Ali will have to keep up and match Guevara's high flying. This will be a battle of "anything you can do, I can do better" between two of the most spectacular in-ring performers in the world.
3. Mustafa Ali vs. Rey Fenix
When anyone speaks of the greatest high flyers in wrestling, Rey Fenix is often at the top of the list. The luchador has been responsible for some of the most insane aerial moves the wrestling world has seen in the past several years. Whether in singles or tag team action, Fenix is among the very best in quality output.
Fenix vs. Ali sounds like a wet dream for fans who love high flying excellence. These competitors could deliver a state-of-the-art experience with moves that fans have never seen before. It will be extraordinary to watch these stars go at it. This dream match has show-stealer written all over it.
2. Mustafa Ali vs. Will Ospreay
Mustafa Ali draws comparisons to various superstars outside WWE. Will Ospreay makes sense when compared to the former Retribution leader. The two are not only aerial geniuses but can adapt to any style.
Will Ospreay has his name on the shortlist for the best wrestler in the world. His catalog of classics against the likes of Kazuchika Okada, Shingo Takagi, and Kota Ibushi could stand up to anyone in the business. He'd be able to add another sublime bout if he squares off with Ali. These two could craft something brilliant.
1. Mustafa Ali vs. Kenny Omega
Whenever there's a dream opponent list for any WWE release, it might include Kenny Omega. The Cleaner has a long history of delivering in big match situations and epic dream matches. His five-star encounter against Chris Jericho at the NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 12 might just be the most important match in the past decade.
His incredible series against Kazuchika Okada helped elevate NJPW's legacy. It reinvented the in-ring work rate of the industry and has influence even in WWE. Omega has been a star from who many contemporaries have borrowed. One of them is Buddy Murphy.
The former Cruiserweight Champion earned the moniker of "The Best Kept Secret" with a litany of good-to-great matches against the best of the division. However, his highlight reel would be incomplete without his feud against Mustafa Ali. The two superstars consistently offered outstanding performances against one another on 205 Live and pay-per-view.
If Ali could deliver high quality with Murphy, there's no doubt he'd deliver the same against Kenny Omega. The Best Bout Machine's mix of hard-hitting offenses would mesh extremely well against Ali's versatility. These two men have the potential to produce a Match of the Year contender for any promotion.
Mustafa Ali jumping to AEW offers many tantalizing encounters. However, a bout against Kenny Omega is mouth-watering. The creativity Ali has displayed when it comes to his character could find its balance with Omega's fantastic innovation inside the squared circle. That's why Kenny Omega is the biggest dream match for Mustafa Ali outside of WWE.
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