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In the fall of 2021, in the aftermath of RETRIBUTION and his angle with Mansoor but before he requested his WWE release, Mustafa Ali teased another character. The idea only got one mention on television, but online Ali shared a slickly produced video for his “New America” gimmick:
You can’t knock the hustle or the creative approach to some important topics, but there were concerns about how WWE would handle storylines that addressed racism in America and the country’s attitudes toward immigrants. We never found out.
But when Ali delivered what he’d teased as a “very important announcement” on NXT (Aug.15) you could see he’d managed to salvage some of the idea for his campaign to bring the North American continent a champion it deserves:
This version is more over-the-top, a broader satire of pretty much any demagogue. It’s also focused on kayfabe grievances like the fact reigning North American champ Dominik Mysterio is a “convicted criminal”. It’s not going to change the world, but it won’t do any harm either.
We’ll see how it works going forward. NXT is the place to try these kinds of characters, ideas, and gimmicks out. And Ali’s done more with less in the past.
Mustafa Ali, formerly known as RETRIBUTION’s leader, has unveiled a new character on NXT. Ali’s “New America” gimmick was first teased in a video shared online. The character aimed to address racism in America and the country’s attitudes toward immigrants. However, the full potential of the gimmick was never explored.
During a recent episode of NXT, Ali made a “very important announcement” and revealed his campaign to bring the North American continent a champion it deserves. The character is a satire of demagogues and focuses on kayfabe grievances, such as the fact that reigning North American champion Dominik Mysterio is a “convicted criminal”. While the gimmick may not have a significant impact, it also won’t do any harm.
It remains to be seen how Ali’s “New America” character will fare in the future. NXT is known for experimenting with unique characters, ideas, and gimmicks, making it the perfect platform for Ali to showcase his latest creation. Ali has a history of making the most out of limited opportunities, and fans are eager to see what he brings to the table with this new character.
What are your thoughts on Mustafa Ali’s “New America” gimmick? Do you think it has the potential to make an impact in NXT? Share your opinions in the comments below.