'I Got Shawn Michaels' Approval' - Ex-WWE Star on Conversation with NXT Head Booker

Michaels was fronting NXT's creative team when Ali was let go two years ago, although he insisted he only learned of his release just prior to the wrestler. It's been reported that HBK was a "big proponent" of the 39-year-old, and there were plans for him to win the NXT North American Championship.

Ali was set to face then-champion Dominik Mysterio before he was released and never got the title opportunity he'd earned. But he will get his shot at the gold at WWE's NXT vs TNA Showdown event next Tuesday (October 7) when he challenges Ethan Page.

The TNA star shed light on a conversation with Michaels while speaking to Denise Salcedo:

"I got to have a really nice talk with Shawn. He really reiterated to me his belief in me. It's Shawn Michaels, he doesn't need to say these things. I don't think he's the type to give out compliments just 'cause."

Michaels called Ali "unbelievably talented" after his release and suggested he had no say over WWE's decision to part ways.

Ali added:

"He just said some things that like, I'll have a smile on my face about my time with WWE and NXT just because of that conversation. "Yeah, you can knock on me like, 'Ali's the guy who got right here and never quite (broke through)', but hey, if I got Shawn Michaels' approval, I'm good with that."

Ali spent around seven years with WWE and was featured not only on NXT, but also became a main roster talent. He fronted the group, Retribution, during the COVID-19 pandemic and appeared at several PLEs, including at WrestleMania 34, where he faced Cedric Alexander on the Kickoff Show.

Mustafa Ali's TNA Contract & Chance To Make History on NXT

Ali signed a new deal with TNA in January 2025, although there is no word on how long his contract with the promotion is. He has been with TNA since January 2024 and won the NXT X-Division Championship before becoming one of the company's leaders.

If Ali defeats Page for the NXT North American Championship, he'll become the first contracted TNA star to win a WWE Championship as an solo competitor. The two promotions' partnership has created such possibilities, and there are currently two WWE NXT stars holding TNA titles.

Trick Williams is the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, while Kelani Jordon is the TNA Knockouts Champion. They will be in action at Showdown in four-on-four Survivor Series tag team matches in their respective divisions.

The Hardy Boyz could join Ali in making history of they defeat DarkState in a winner-takes-all tag team title match. The reigning TNA World Tag Team Champions put their titles on the line against the NXT duo who will also be defending their NXT Tag Team Championships.