When Oba Femi lost the WWE NXT World Championship to Ricky Saints at the WWE NXT No Mercy premium live event, speculation quickly arose about a potential Oba Femi WWE move to the main roster. This development has fans and insiders questioning whether Femi’s title loss signals an imminent promotion.
Despite the rumors, no confirmed plans have been announced. Wrestling Observer Newsletter reporter Dave Meltzer weighed in on the situation, explaining that Femi remains part of the NXT brand’s upcoming storylines, which could suggest no immediate main roster call-up.
Expert Insight on Femi’s Career Trajectory
Dave Meltzer addressed the speculation directly, clarifying,
“Regarding the idea Oba Femi lost the NXT title so he could be brought to the main roster,”
he began.
“This is one of those things where the answer as far as everyone knows is no, in the sense Femi is still in the plans for NXT going forward.”
Meltzer cautioned, however, that WWE’s approach to call-ups can be unpredictable and secretive. He added,
“However, they do swerve people and tell almost nobody about call-ups a lot of the time so people who should know get blindsided. So it’s a no as far as just about anyone knows, but there is no such thing as a 100 percent no.”
This balanced perspective highlights the uncertainty surrounding Oba Femi’s future, suggesting that while a main roster move is not confirmed, it remains possible given WWE’s history of sudden promotions.
Oba Femi’s WWE Journey and Recent Achievements
At just 27 years old, Oba Femi has experienced a steady rise within WWE since joining in 2021 through the company’s NIL developmental program. His introduction to NXT occurred in November 2022 via an appearance on the now-defunct NXT Level Up show. Femi’s formal debut happened in April 2023 when he entered the NXT Breakout Tournament during the NXT Spring Breakin’ event.
His tournament success paved the way for his ascent in NXT, culminating in capturing the NXT World Championship in January 2025 by defeating Trick Williams at the NXT New Year’s Evil show. Holding the title solidified Femi’s status as a key figure on the NXT brand, making his recent title loss to Ricky Saints a notable turning point.
Upcoming NXT Events and Femi’s Current Role
The NXT brand is preparing for the anticipated NXT ShoWDown special, scheduled to air next Tuesday night on the CW. This event, held at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL, will feature NXT vs. TNA themed matches, signaling a major cross-brand showcase.
Despite the excitement around NXT ShoWDown, Oba Femi is notably absent from the advertised match card, further fueling rumors about his direction within WWE. Whether this absence indicates a transition out of NXT remains unclear.
The Significance of Femi’s Title Loss and Future Prospects
Oba Femi’s loss of the NXT World Championship at No Mercy has stirred discussions about his timeline in WWE’s hierarchy. While a main roster push is widely expected eventually, the exact timing remains uncertain. WWE often withholds call-up information, which can lead to surprises among fans and insiders alike.
Femi’s talent and achievements position him as a likely future presence on WWE’s main shows, but his continued involvement in NXT storylines, as noted by Meltzer, suggests he may remain an anchor for the brand in the near term. Fans will be watching closely for announcements after the upcoming NXT ShoWDown special to gauge his next steps.
