8 superstars WWE refused to release 

#2 Mustafa Ali

Mustafa Ali joined WWE during the Cruiserweight Classic and became the "Heart" of 205 Live. He had his breakout moment in 2018 when he debuted on SmackDown to confront then WWE Champion Daniel Bryan.

Ali was reportedly set to win the Elimination Chamber match the following year to go on to battle Bryan for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35. Unfortunately for Ali, he got injured and was replaced by Kofi Kingston.

He then almost became Mr. Money In The Bank that year, but a surprise appearance from Brock Lesnar crushed his dream of achieving that feat.

After all that, Ali could never gain back his momentum, and was stuck in the mid-card.

WWE also failed to book him properly as the mystery hacker on SmackDown and the leader of RETRIBUTION.

After spending a few months as Mansoor's tag team partner, Ali took to Twitter to request his release from the company this year.

He wrote:

"I have a message that is much bigger than my dreams in pro wrestling. Despite my best efforts, I will not be able to deliver this message while working with WWE. Therefore, I am requesting my release from WWE."

Ali's decision came after Vince McMahon reportedly pitched a storyline that "he'd never do."

However, WWE has decided not to release him yet, so he will have to wait longer.