Mustafa Ali challenges Hiromu Takahashi for NJPW Windy City Riot

Former WWE star Mustafa Ali is set to make his NJPW debut after issuing a challenge to the company's Junior Heavyweight Champion Hiromu Takahashi. 

Ali threw down the gauntlet to Takahashi in a video airing during Saturday's Battle in the Valley pay-per-view, challenging the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion to a match at NJPW Windy City Riot in Chicago on Friday, April 12. 

The video featured Ali delivering a promo from behind a podium in his politician character as he announced that he was bringing his "campaign" to NJPW and calling out Takahashi specifically for Chicago. Ali is an Illinois native and a former police officer in a Chicago suburb. 

Ali announced his departure from WWE in September 2023 after a tumultuous seven-year run with the company that included him publicly requesting his release in 2022. 

In December 2023, Ali announced his "world tour campaign" in a video where he established his crusading politician character. 

Ali had his first post-WWE match in France last Saturday, then made his GCW debut on Friday's No Compadre event with a win over Gringo Loco.

The video featuring Ali's challenge to Takahashi is embedded below.