Oba Femi, known as The Ruler, has reached an important milestone by surpassing 200 days as WWE’s NXT Champion, a mark that positions him among the longest titleholders in the brand’s history. Since taking the crown in January at NXT’s New Year’s Evil event, Femi’s ongoing reign has drawn attention as he steadily climbs the ranks, eyeing a spot in the all-time top ten longest NXT championship runs.
The Rising Force Behind Femi’s Dominance
Despite his relative youth at 27 and less than three years of professional wrestling experience, Oba Femi has proven himself a formidable champion. Standing nearly 6-foot-5 and weighing over 300 pounds, he defies stereotypical power wrestlers by combining brute strength with surprising agility and endurance. His nearly 20 title defenses this year have outpaced those of WWE superstars such as Gunther, John Cena, Jey Uso, and Cody Rhodes, showcasing both stamina and consistency across live events, television broadcasts, and house shows.
Femi’s matches often feature high-impact moments that highlight his athleticism and storytelling ability. For example, in a recent NXT title defense against Josh Briggs and Yoshiki Inamura, Femi demonstrated his raw power by simultaneously chokeslamming both challengers, whose combined weight exceeds 500 pounds. However, he also absorbed significant offense, selling moves with rare flexibility and determination. His ability to endure and respond—for instance, kicking out after a moonsault pin attempt—adds drama and suspense to his bouts.
Character Growth and In-Ring Presence
Oba Femi’s in-ring performance is marked not only by strength but also by evolving instincts. His signature move, the Fall From Grace powerbomb, has become a defining feature of his matches. Beyond physicality, Femi engages the NXT crowd through a confident entrance that incites rhythmic chanting, indicating growing fan support. Still, experts note that enhancing his facial expressions and interaction with the audience could deepen his connection with fans, advancing him toward superstardom.
Upcoming Challenges to Cement Femi’s Legacy
Looking ahead, Femi’s championship reign will be defined by key opponents capable of raising his profile and testing his resilience. Ethan Page, the current North American Champion with nearly two decades of wrestling experience, represents a prime contender whose polished style could challenge Femi to deliver a career-defining performance.
More crucially, Oba Femi faces Trick Williams, the wrestler he defeated to gain the NXT title. Their previous encounter in a triple threat match at New Year’s Evil, which also included Eddy Thorpe, ended decisively but lacked the conclusive authority of a one-on-one showdown. A rematch could settle lingering questions about Femi’s dominance.
Adding further intrigue, a potential title unification bout could occur if Williams puts his TNA World Championship on the line against Femi’s NXT title. The victor of such a match would not only emerge with dual championships but also command significant momentum and credibility, potentially becoming WWE’s future flagship star.
Potential Impact on WWE’s Landscape
Oba Femi’s blend of size, charisma, and in-ring skill marks him as a rising star ready to fill a prominent role in WWE’s hierarchy. His sustained NXT Championship reign and upcoming high-stakes matches at events like WWE’s Heatwave on August 24 are likely to be pivotal in defining his career trajectory. A decisive victory over Trick Williams would solidify Femi’s status as NXT’s most dominant champion and position him as a key figure in WWE’s next generation of talent.
