With WrestleMania 42 approaching in Las Vegas, WWE SmackDown’s Trick Williams is advocating for prominent matches involving himself and Oba Femi at the event. Despite the event’s proximity, only a handful of matches have been announced, leaving room for rising stars like these to make their mark on the grand stage. The push for major WrestleMania matches centers around the increased opportunity for Black wrestlers within WWE.
New Main Roster Talent Seeks Spotlight at WrestleMania
Trick Williams, who debuted on WWE’s main roster after being called up from NXT earlier this year, expressed excitement about the chances for himself, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans to secure singles matches at WrestleMania. During an interview on The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show, Trick highlighted the rarity and significance of rookie Black wrestlers headlining WrestleMania contests.
“I’m grateful. You just said how crazy it is that myself, Je’Von, and Oba Femi should all three be having a match at WrestleMania as rookies. I don’t think you could say that ever has been possible at any time in WWE history,” he said. – Trick Williams, WWE Superstar
Trick also noted the lack of recent one-on-one WrestleMania matches featuring Black male talent without diminishing the legacy of earlier performers in WWE.
“If I’m not mistaken, it’s been a while since a single Black talent superstar has had a one-on-one match during WrestleMania,” he added. – Trick Williams, WWE Superstar
Context of Recent Matches Featuring Black Wrestlers
The most recent singles match including a Black male wrestler on a WWE pay-per-view was Ricochet versus Logan Paul at SummerSlam 2023. Meanwhile, Omos was the last Black male competitor to have a solo match on WrestleMania, underscoring the scarcity of such opportunities in recent years. The comments from Trick Williams serve as an implicit request for WWE leadership, including Triple H, to elevate him, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans into key WrestleMania singles bouts.
Impact of NXT Call-Ups on WWE’s Landscape
Since their promotion to the main roster, Trick Williams, Oba Femi, and Je’Von Evans have gained momentum within WWE. The trio stood out during the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble, where all three competed with notable performances. Oba Femi entered first and achieved five eliminations, the match-high, lasting over 39 minutes. Je’Von Evans, at just 21 years old, lasted nearly 41 minutes, making him the longest competitor in the match. Trick Williams also managed two eliminations, demonstrating their potential as impactful performers on WWE’s bigger platforms.
Potential Significance of WrestleMania Inclusion
The inclusion of Oba Femi, Trick Williams, and Je’Von Evans in meaningful WrestleMania matches could represent a milestone moment for WWE, particularly in showcasing rookie Black talent. It would mark a departure from recent booking trends and could open new doors for these wrestlers and others in the future. Fans and industry observers alike will be watching to see if WWE capitalizes on this opportunity to promote diversity and fresh storylines at the Show of Shows.
