Mustafa Ali: I Still Don’t Respect Mike Santana. Once I Heard He Was TNA’s Team Captain, I Wanted To Do Something Different
Mustafa Ali didn’t want to share the spotlight with Mike Santana.
TNA x NXT Showdown is set to feature a match for the NXT North American Championship, as Ethan Page will defend the title against TNA’s Mustafa Ali.
Speaking with Last Word On Sports for a new interview, Mustafa Ali explained why he didn’t want to take part in the Survivor Series match between both brands.
“There were some discussions about Team TNA and Team NXT, but I’m a spotlight kind of guy. I don’t know about sharing the spotlight on such a big event as NXT Showdown. I don’t know about teaming up with Mike Santana specifically, who I still do not respect, and I would rather not team up with. But once I heard that he was the Team Captain, I suggested that maybe Mustafa Ali does something a little different.
Ali went on to say that both Ava and Santino Marella agreed that NXT owed him a shot at Page’s championship.
“Maybe Mustafa Ali goes after the opportunity that he’s still owed. So, like I mentioned in my promo on Tuesday on NXT, I spoke to Ava and Santino Marella. They agreed NXT does owe me something. They owe me a one-on-one North American Championship match. And here we are. We have the dream back on the horizon. Next Tuesday at Showdown, it will be Mustafa Ali versus All Ego Ethan Page for my North American Championship. Two years in the making.”
Fans can check out the full card for NXT x TNA Showdown by clicking here. Fightful will have full coverage of the show as it airs, beginning at 8 PM EST.
