Mustafa Ali Makes Surprise Return To WWE NXT

Mustafa Ali made his surprise return to "WWE NXT" during Tuesday night's episode. Ali appeared in the crowd just before "NXT" North American Champion Wes Lee and Tyler Bate teamed up for a match against The Dyad (Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler). Ali later ran into the ring and helped Lee and Bate after Schism leader Joe Gacy attacked them.

One of the last times that Ali was on a televised episode of "NXT" was all the way back on the October 3, 2016 episode, when he took part in the first round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. His last non-televised match for "NXT" was in April 2017.

Over the weekend at Night of Champions, Ali unsuccessfully challenged GUNTHER for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ali had earned a shot at the title after he won the WWE Intercontinental Title #1 Contenders Battle Royal on the May 15 episode of "Raw."

It's worth noting that during this year's WWE Draft, Ali was one of the several stars to be designated as a "free agent." The free agency list also includes the likes of Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Omos, Elias, Shelton Benjamin, Cedric Alexander, Von Wagner, and former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar. Though, Ali wasn't the only free agent to make their return on this week's episode of "NXT," Corbin also made his way back to the developmental brand. The former WWE United States Champion looked to be interested in the "NXT" Championship, which is currently held by Carmelo Hayes.