Saudi Arabia’s Influence in WWE: The Story Behind Mustafa Ali’s Night of Champions Inclusion
A recent revelation from former WWE Superstar Mustafa Ali details how a direct request from a high-ranking Saudi Arabian official led to his inclusion in the 2023 WWE Night of Champions premium live event, and the subsequent backstage fallout that followed.
The Unexpected Booking
Mustafa Ali wasn’t originally scheduled to compete at Night of Champions in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. However, during a promotional trip leading up to the event, Ali engaged with fans and officials, including the President of the General Entertainment Authority (GEA). According to Ali, this official directly requested to Vince McMahon that Ali be added to the card. Fightful and WrestlingNews.co both reported on Ali’s account of these events.
A Request to Vince McMahon
Ali recounted that he was initially brought to Saudi Arabia as a representative for media appearances, not as a competitor. He described the enthusiastic reception he received from fans – far exceeding expectations – which caught the attention of the GEA President. The official then directly contacted McMahon to request Ali’s participation in the event. Ali noted that McMahon appeared displeased by this direct intervention, sensing “nervous tension” from management.
The Fallout: Brock Lesnar’s Remark
The situation culminated in a now-infamous backstage segment on WWE Raw, where Brock Lesnar told Ali to “get a life.” Ali explained that this wasn’t a spontaneous remark, but a calculated message stemming from the events in Saudi Arabia. He believes the comment was a consequence of someone “telling Vince what to do,” and the company’s attempt to send a message. WWE highlighted the strong support Ali received from the Jeddah crowd at the Night of Champions media event.
Ali’s Reflections and Current Status
Ali, now wrestling for TNA Wrestling after his release from WWE in September 2023, reflected on his time with the company. He expressed a sense of having given his all to WWE, exploring various character iterations and consistently presenting ideas. He stated that following Lesnar’s remark, he decided to “get a life” by pursuing opportunities elsewhere. Sportskeeda also covered the backstage politics surrounding this incident.
The Role of Turki Alalshikh
The President of the GEA, who made the request to include Ali, is Turki Alalshikh. He is responsible for managing the relationship between WWE and Saudi Arabia, a partnership that has seen WWE host numerous events in the country.