At WWE NXT No Mercy 2025, Ricky Saints delivered a surprising victory by defeating Oba Femi for the WWE NXT Championship Win on September 28, 2025. The match took place during a high-stakes event where both wrestlers displayed intense athleticism and resilience, culminating in Saints ending Femi’s lengthy 263-day title reign.
A Battle of Strength and Strategy in NXT’s Championship Match
During the title bout, Oba Femi initially controlled the match by showcasing his power and using backbreakers to wear down Saints. Despite Femi’s dominance early on, Saints’ resilience shone through as he countered several of Femi’s finishing maneuvers. Seizing a critical moment, Saints executed a Tornado DDT followed swiftly by another DDT, securing the pinfall victory and capturing the NXT Championship in a memorable showdown.
This victory marks a significant milestone in Saints’ career, as it is his second title win within the WWE NXT brand in just seven months. Previously, on the April 1 episode of NXT, Saints earned the NXT North American Championship by defeating Shawn Spears, reinforcing his rapid rise within the promotion.
The Influences Behind Ricky Saints’ Ascent in Wrestling
In a recent interview with Good Karma Wrestling, Ricky Saints reflected on the influential figures who played key roles in his wrestling development. He acknowledged the support and guidance from several prominent wrestlers who helped shape his path to success.
“There’s a few people in my life that have really helped me. You’ve got Bryan Danielson, CM Punk, Cody, Shawn Spears; people like that, that have really, along the way, helped guide me to this point that I’m getting to. Even some guys that are not as known. God rest his soul, Jax Dane was another guy from NWA that really took me under his wing and helped me out. So, I can’t say that this was a lonesome journey, for sure. There are people who have helped as much as they could, as much as they have been able to help. So I do think that this Saturday, it is on me to not only make them proud, but to make myself proud and my family proud as well.”
— Ricky Saints, WWE NXT Champion
Transition from AEW to WWE Sparks New Opportunities
Before joining WWE, Ricky Saints performed under the ring name Ricky Starks in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). His departure came after an extended period of inactivity, with AEW’s owner Tony Khan reportedly sidelining him for roughly 11 months before ultimately releasing him. After parting ways with AEW, Saints signed with WWE, quickly making an impact within the NXT roster.
Saints’ rapid success within WWE NXT has drawn significant attention, with WWE describing him as “The ABSOLUTE Champion” and praising the way he has transformed the brand. The promotion celebrated Saints’ shocking victory across their official platforms, emphasizing the fresh energy he brings to NXT.
Additional Updates from WWE and Wrestling World
Meanwhile, Jade Cargill addressed a serious injury sustained during a WWE SmackDown appearance, sharing updates through social media after being visibly bloodied in the main event match. The wrestling community remains concerned about her condition following this gruesome incident.
In other news, a 17-time WWE champion, not John Cena, hinted at a potential retirement after a long tenure with WWE since 2016, adding a layer of uncertainty to the promotion’s future star landscape.
Ricky Saints Responds to His Championship Triumph
Following his historic win, Saints has spoken openly about reaching the pinnacle of NXT, expressing both gratitude and determination. His comments reflect the emotional weight of attaining the top title within the brand, signaling a new era in his wrestling career.
Local Hopes Remain Uncertain for WWE WrestleMania Hosting
In Indianapolis, the anticipation for hosting WWE WrestleMania continues, but officials have yet to confirm when the city might stage the event. This uncertainty has left local wrestling fans eagerly awaiting official news.
NXT Star’s Accomplishments Extend Beyond WWE
The NXT star also recently competed outside WWE, securing a victory over Blake Monroe on August 26 by count out. This further showcases Saints’ versatility and success both within and beyond WWE circles.
Influential Wrestlers Praised by Rising WWE Star
Ricky Saints has openly acknowledged the impact of wrestling veterans Bryan Danielson and CM Punk, among others, crediting them for their mentorship and support in his journey toward championship glory.
The ABSOLUTE Champion.
Ricky Saints just flipped NXT on its head! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/kIyslgWNhR
— WWE (@WWE) September 28, 2025
