Mustafa Ali is proof that WWE Creative can get it right

Mustafa Ali is a breath of fresh air when it comes to booking minority talent in the WWE.

Throughout time there’s been a lot of commentary on the numerous examples of misrepresentation of minorities within the WWE. From bad booking to complaints backstage; there’s a list of situations that were less than stellar within the wrestling promotion.

However, there’s a time to recognize when the organization gets something right and Mustafa Ali is such an example. His booking and storytelling the last few weeks is a great example of how the WWE can positively leverage an individual’s ethnic, racial and national makeup into a story that can be celebrated.

Mustafa Ali has been one of the bright spots since the “relaunch” of 205 Live. Ali is recognized as the first WWE wrestler of Pakistani descent and that fact is woven into his character in an effective and impactful way. Plus, it’s done without all of the racial stereotyping that has chronicled past gimmicks such as Jinder Mahal, Umaga, the Street Profits and others.

“From the moment you hear my name, Mustafa Ali, you’ve already made up your mind about me. The minute I walk out the crowd is already booing me,” Ali said during a recent WWE promo video. “But I’m going to change all of that.”

In character he is pushing back against the negative stereotypes that are played up, especially in a lot of today’s media, around people of foreign descent. Ali’s booking and his ability to deliver stellar match after match has allowed him to win over the crowd and become one of the most interesting names on the 205 Live roster. But diving deeper into his back story helps uncover a layering which makes his character more intriguing.

For example, Ali was “criticized” online for not using a Pakistani flag during his entrance on 205 Live to which he responded via Twitter:

“My brother, I don’t wish to represent any country. I want to represent unity, across the globe, for all the people.”

Compare this idea to the early booking of Rusev or Mahal. Much of their gimmicks were based around long used stories of the anti-American villain that the fans couldn’t wait to boo. Ali’s booking is showing that WWE Creative doesn’t have to lean on old narratives in order to present wrestlers that are from other countries. He’s not standing with the microphone and degrading America or bringing up controversial ideals to incite a reaction.

Instead, he’s speaking of a positive narrative that many people need to hear. When coupled with the fact that he served time as a police officer in Chicago that shows that he understands the truth behind many of the worst commentaries in society today.

“I’ve been told that to see someone like me on TV, someone [with a foreign name] who’s not the bad guy but rather an American who comes out with a smile and high-fiving the fans is encouraging,” Ali said in an interview with ESPN. “It gives me hope.”

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At the same time it gives a lot of people hope that WWE Creative will eventually get to a place where they do not find new ways to offend with gimmicks that show the industry isn’t as progressive as we’d hope it to be.