Mustafa Ali Reveals Why He Stopped Using Heel Foreigner Character In The Indies

SmackDown Live Superstar Mustafa Ali has said that an interaction with a young fan made him stop using a stereotypical heel foreigner gimmick on the independent circuit.

Speaking on the Talk is Jericho podcast, Ali said how he felt like a sellout when he briefly used the character of a Saudi Prince. 

He said: "The decision was mine, but it was a low point for me because I kind of caved into the pressure, 'alright, fine. I'll do the evil foreigner character and I'll just try it.'"

Ali, who moved to the blue brand from 205 Live late last year, said how seeing a young fan hate him was what caused him to retire the character. 

"As I'm walking along the guardrail, he jumps out of his chair and he puts both of his fists up like he wants to fight, but not like he was playing, like out of fear or anger.

"And I remember looking dead into his eyes, blonde-haired, blue-eyed kid, and I was like, 'holy crap, I just taught this kid to hate me and to hate people to look like me.

"I felt it and I was like, 'I'm not doing this crap anymore, man' and that was the last time I did it. "