WWE NXT Superstar Oba Femi identifies learning to slow down in the ring as his greatest hurdle during training at the WWE Performance Center. Since joining NXT in 2023, Femi has rapidly advanced, capturing the NXT North American Championship and now holding the NXT Championship. He is scheduled to face Ricky Starks at the upcoming No Mercy event, with many viewing him as a future headliner for WWE WrestleMania. This marked progression contrasts with the difficulty he experienced in adapting his style inside the ring, making the Oba Femi slowing down challenge a key part of his development.
The Shift from Explosiveness to Timing in Wrestling
Femi’s background in track and field emphasized speed and explosiveness, traits that initially conflicted with the pacing required for professional wrestling. On Fox54 News, he explained how slowing his movements was critical in his evolution as a wrestler.
“I’d say the art of slowing down was the hardest. Coming from another athletic background, which was track and field, you are taught to be explosive, to be as fast as you can.” —Oba Femi, WWE NXT Superstar
He added that timing remained a shared principle between wrestling and his previous sport, but controlling his speed when necessary was a significant adjustment.
“I mean, one thing that WWE and track and field had in common was timing, timing was a very big aspect of both sports, so that remained the same. But, slowing down in certain scenarios, because I was always taught to be explosive in my prior experience, was the biggest challenge to learn.” —Oba Femi, WWE NXT Superstar
Guidance from Veteran Coaches Aids His Progress
Femi has credited the guidance of seasoned WWE coaches Matt Bloom and Shawn Michaels for helping him overcome this challenge. Their firsthand expertise has been essential in shaping his in-ring style and approach.
“There’s a difference when you’re coached by someone whose done it, and when you get coached by someone who hasn’t. Matt Bloom and Shawn Michaels, they’ve done it on the biggest stages. Matt Bloom has gone to Japan, he has come back to WWE, as far as the art of being a big man, he has done it all.” —Oba Femi, WWE NXT Superstar
Looking Ahead: Impact on Oba Femi’s WWE Career
Learning to regulate his speed inside the ring is a crucial step toward solidifying Femi’s position as a top WWE NXT star. His upcoming match against Ricky Starks at No Mercy will test how well he has embraced this adjustment. With strong mentorship and rapid success, Femi appears poised to become a major figure in WWE’s future, possibly headlining WrestleMania events. Overcoming the Oba Femi slowing down challenge reflects both his growth as a performer and his determination to excel at the highest level.
