Mustafa Ali Would Love To Wrestle AJ Styles In TNA, But Thinks Leon Slater Deserves The Spot

Mustafa Ali gives both AJ Styles and Leon Slater their flowers.

Mustafa Ali is a veteran of the ring, but he also grew up on TNA Wrestling and is a fan of AJ Styles. AJ Styles has recently opened up about being at the tail end of his career as a wrestler. Recently, he returned to TNA Wrestling at TNA Slammiversary 2025. AJ would congratulate Leon Slater after Slater won the TNA X-Division Title, a title that AJ was the first man to hold.

AJ Styles has teased potentially having one more match in a TNA Wrestling ring. During an interview with Adrian Hernandez, Mustafa Ali was asked if he would like to face AJ. He admitted that he would selfishly like the match, but believes that if AJ is only going to do a one-off in a TNA ring, Leon Slater is the right man for the job.

“Man, I can tell you what, just being, you know, backstage when he came out to his TNA theme, ‘Get Ready to Fly,’ was such a cool moment. What a cool moment for Leon, who grew up, myself included, grew up as an X-Division kid, very, very cool, full circle kind of moment. I’m glad AJ got to come back to an event at a jam-packed arena at Slammiversary. A very, very cool night.

“I appreciate the kind words, but I also think I’m the guy at that stage where, like, as phenomenal and credible as it would be, to wrestle a guy like AJ. I just think Leon’s on such a rise that, if I had to make the decision, and AJ is doing one match? Selfishly, I want it. But for a company, branding and building a place, I think you just put everything behind Leon.”

Learn more about AJ Styles potentially retiring soon here.

Mustafa Ali will be part of WWE NXT vs. TNA Showdown. Learn more about his return to WWE NXT here.

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