Oba Femi‘s unexpected decision to vacate the WWE NXT Championship without a loss came as a reassuring milestone for the emerging superstar. On January 6, Femi successfully defended the title against Leon Slater before leaving the championship belt in the ring, signaling his move to the WWE main roster. This transition marks a significant step in Femi’s career, as he recently took part in the men’s Royal Rumble, engaging in a notable showdown with Brock Lesnar.
Insights Into Femi’s Call-Up Experience
Speaking on the No Contest Wrestling podcast, Femi shared his perspective on being promoted without dropping the NXT title. He described the promotion as a rare privilege that highlights the company’s confidence in his abilities and standing.
It feels very unique. It lets me know where the company kind of sees me caliber-wise, like where I am in the pecking order, which is really reassuring,
Femi said.
Very, very short list. I believe it’s me, Asuka, and The War Raiders [who were called up without losing their titles], if I’m not mistaken. That is a very, very short list. And it’s a privilege to be on that list. Not everyone gets to be on it. And it’s for a very good reason. I have to show everybody coming up to the main roster now that, like, that was done — it wasn’t just done for anybody. Like, you don’t just have like any regular old call-up on your hands. You have a superstar here. So I believe it was done for a good reason. And well executed too.
Femi’s Championship Journey and Professional Outlook
Femi entered the NXT scene as a two-time champion, losing the title to Ricky Saints in September 2025 before reclaiming it in December. Despite the ups and downs, Femi remained pragmatic about the nature of professional wrestling, viewing the championships and storylines as elements of a larger vision crafted by creative leaders.
No. It’s a job. You understand? It’s a job. And I am very well aware of that,
he stated when asked about his reaction to losing the title.
Whatever the booker wants. Shawn [Michaels] has a vision, Triple H has a vision. And we’re all just like, I hate to say it, but we’re tools to execute the vision. When people lose sight of that, that’s when they get caught up in their feelings and stuff like that. So when I did that, I was like, ‘I’m sure there’s a good reason why.’ And I went with it and didn’t think too much into it.
Current Status and Future Prospects on WWE’s Main Roster
Currently considered a free agent within WWE’s main roster, Femi has yet to be assigned to a specific brand. His recent performance in the Royal Rumble, where he faced off against Brock Lesnar, has heightened anticipation about his trajectory in the company. Femi’s unique transition—advancing without relinquishing his NXT championship through loss—sets him apart as a significant contender among WWE’s rising stars.
