Oba Femi‘s defeat to Ricky Saints at WWE’s No Mercy event on September 27th ended his 263-day reign as NXT Champion, sparking speculation about his promotion to WWE’s main roster. The Nigerian star, known as The Ruler, has been a dominant figure in NXT, and many expected him to soon appear on either RAW or SmackDown after relinquishing the title.
Since his debut in late 2022, Oba Femi has made a strong impact, holding the NXT North American Championship for a record 273 days before capturing the NXT Championship. Despite his recent loss, expectations grew that his story was transitioning from developmental to WWE’s main shows.
Delay in Main Roster Debut According to Reports
Despite fan anticipation, sources from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter suggest that Oba Femi’s WWE main roster call-up may not happen immediately. The reports indicate that WWE still has plans for him within NXT, and the company has a history of surprising fans and insiders with unexpected moves regarding promotions.
With the Royal Rumble scheduled for late January, it is widely believed that Oba could debut there or during the upcoming Premium Live Event in Saudi Arabia. Some fans even hope he will play a pivotal role in the future of John Cena, who is expected to retire as a 17-time world champion this December.
Industry Veteran Advises More Time for Oba Femi
While many, including WWE legend Booker T, think Oba Femi is ready for the main roster, former ECW star Tommy Dreamer believes that more development time in NXT would benefit the 27-year-old. Dreamer emphasized the complexity of performing at the highest level consistently and suggested that Oba is not yet ready for the increased demands of RAW or SmackDown.
On Busted Open Radio, Dreamer stated:
“I think he had a great match with Ricky Saints and there’s a big difference when you start to go as we always say ‘deep in the water,’ and deep in the water is time. When you start hitting that past 10 minutes or then into 15 where you’re able to pull those moments out and if you’re looking at a lot of segments on both ‘Raw’ and ‘SmackDown’ and they’re wrestling in commercial break. You have to really look at like hey can you go at that high level? And continue to keep up that pace, that’s a key thing. I would say question mark right now … tempted? Yes. Would I? No.”
Tommy Dreamer, ECW Legend
Other NXT Talent Eyeing Main Roster Advancement
Oba Femi is not the only NXT star under consideration for promotion, as WWE’s top brass is reportedly watching other standout performers like Ethan Page and Ricky Saints. The NXT roster remains vibrant with a wealth of talent eager for opportunities on WWE’s flagship shows, especially as WrestleMania season approaches.
This ongoing evaluation highlights WWE’s careful approach to transitioning its developmental talent, prioritizing readiness for the rigors of the main roster to maintain performance quality across RAW and SmackDown.
Looking Ahead: What Oba Femi’s Future Might Hold
Oba Femi’s potential debut on WWE’s main roster carries significant implications, both for his career and the evolving WWE landscape. If introduced during the Royal Rumble or the Saudi Arabia event, he could quickly become a key figure moving forward, possibly intersecting with established superstars like John Cena.
While fans await this step, WWE appears committed to ensuring Oba’s timing aligns with storylines and performance readiness. The delay signals a measured strategy aimed at maximizing his impact when he finally crosses over to WWE’s broader audience.
