After Oba Femi vacated the WWE NXT Championship last week, the brand is preparing for a new champion to be crowned on February 3rd. This decision comes as part of a fresh chapter on NXT, featuring a wave of incoming talent from Evolve and LFG looking to make their mark. Among the new challengers, Ricky Saints has secured a direct position in the six-man ladder match for the vacant title, bypassing the qualifier rounds.
GM Ava announced these developments at the start of the show, revealing the lineup for the upcoming championship qualifiers. Ricky Saints, a former NXT Champion, is confirmed to participate in the ladder match without needing to compete for a spot. Meanwhile, three other promising NXT call-ups will battle in two qualifying matches next week to earn their place.
Upcoming Qualifying Matches Set to Define Ladder Match Participants
In the first qualifier, LFG winner Shiloh Hill will face NXT veteran Josh Briggs. Hill, recently close to adding the TNA International Title to his accolades, is among the fresh faces eager to claim NXT gold. The second qualifier features Sean Legacy, known from Evolve who has impressed NXT audiences, against Eli Knight. The winners will join Ricky Saints and other wrestlers in the six-man ladder match scheduled for early February.
The inclusion of these competitors signals a significant infusion of talent into NXT’s championship scene, building anticipation for a dynamic contest to determine the new leader of the brand.
Reasons Behind Oba Femi’s Championship Vacancy and Transition to RAW
Oba Femi made a successful defense of his NXT Title against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater at NXT New Year’s Evil, with a hard-fought match underlining Femi’s dominance. However, after the contest, Femi voluntarily vacated the championship, leaving it in the ring and exiting the brand. His departure came as part of a larger shift, with several key NXT stars, including rivals Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans, also moving to WWE’s main roster.
According to reports from Wrestlevotes Radio on Fightful Select, Femi is destined for Monday Night RAW, where he is expected to quickly ascend among the roster’s heavy hitters. With RAW featuring accomplished former NXT champions like Bronson Reed, Bron Breakker, and Gunther, Femi’s transition will test his abilities at the highest level of WWE competition.
Significance of the New Championship Landscape in NXT
The vacancy of the NXT Championship and the upcoming ladder match highlight a pivotal moment for the brand as it integrates emerging talents and redefines its hierarchy. Ricky Saints’ guaranteed ladder match position underscores his status within NXT, while the qualifiers showcase the increased competitiveness brought by the addition of rising stars from other promotions.
This evolving scenario is likely to captivate WWE fans, setting the stage for intense rivalries and unexpected outcomes. As the February 3rd event approaches, attention will focus on how these competitors perform under pressure and who will ultimately claim the NXT Championship crown.
“Not only that, as the Absolute confirmed, he’s in the ladder match! No qualifier for Pretty Ricky, the former NXT Champion, has a guaranteed spot.” ?Absolute
“On NXT New Year’s Evil last week, then-champion Oba Femi successfully defended against TNA’s X-Division Champion Leon Slater. The Bringer of War was taken to the limit by The Youngest In Charge, but ultimately, Oba Femi was too much for the youngest ever TNA Champ.” ?Narrator
“After the match, Femi left the championship in the ring and walked away. Several NXT stars have been called up to WWE’s main roster in recent months, including Femi’s longtime rivals Trick Williams and Je’Von Evans.” ?Narrator
No qualifying match needed…
Ricky Saints has a spot in the NXT Championship Ladder Match on February 3rd! 👊@starkmanjones pic.twitter.com/Z4MoQYYbbG
— WWE (@WWE) January 14, 2026
Opportunity knocks… 👀
Who will step up in 2026 and rise to the top of NXT?! pic.twitter.com/MDqBk2d1p9
— WWE (@WWE) January 7, 2026
