WWE Signs Another Cruiserweight
With 205 Live set to make its debut on the WWE Network tonight, the WWE continues to expand its cruiserweight division.
Mustafa Ali has signed a contract with WWE, according to a report by PWInsider.
Ali was part of the field for the Cruiserweight Classic, which aired over the summer on the WWE Network, and has made a couple of appearances since on NXT. Ali actually was the last wrestler included in the field for the tournament. Originally an alternate, he made the field of 32 when a Brazilian wrestler named Zumbi was not able to participate due to visa issues. By appearing in the Cruiserweight Classic, Ali became the first Pakistani-born wrestler to compete for WWE.
Ali faced Lince Dorado in a losing effort in the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic. He later appeared on NXT, facing Hideo Itami in his first televised match back after recuperating from a shoulder injury that kept him out of action for more than a year. Ali then teamed with Dorado in NXT's Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. That duo was eliminated in the first round by the pairing of Kota Ibushi and TJ Perkins.
Ali, who often goes by Prince Ali on the independent circuit and is based out of Chicago, last wrestled for Chicago-area independent promotion AAW at its Windy City Classic event on Nov. 26, and made a farewell promo following his match against ACH.
205 Live, which debuts tonight at 10 p.m. on the WWE Network, is a new addition to the programming lineup which will showcase the cruiserweight division. The current list of wrestlers signed to WWE's cruiserweight division include Perkins, Dorado, Cedric Alexander, Rich Swann, Tozawa, Jack Gallagher, Tony Nese, Drew Gulak, Gran Metalik (aka Mascara Dorada), Noam Dar, Gurv Sihra, Harv Sihra, and HoHo Lun.
