Gunther, known as the Ring General, is widely regarded as a dream opponent for many WWE wrestlers, having faced top stars like CM Punk, Drew McIntyre, and Sheamus. Despite the anticipation surrounding a possible showdown, WWE NXT World Champion Oba Femi is not eager to chase a match with Gunther, emphasizing the importance of genuine motivation behind such encounters. Speaking on the topic recently, Femi explained that any match with Gunther must be driven by mutual desire and a valid reason beyond fan expectations.
Gunther is celebrated for delivering physically intense matches, including his standout triple-threat bout against McIntyre and Sheamus at WrestleMania 39. He has earned the respect of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker, who admires Gunther’s old-school wrestling style and has praised the prospect of a future match between Gunther and rising RAW star Bron Breakker, two of the biggest powerhouses on the current roster.
Oba Femi, a 27-year-old Nigerian star dominating the NXT brand, remains focused on his own career path. While a clash between him and Gunther would undoubtedly captivate fans, Femi stressed the necessity for the right conditions to align before such a match should take place.
“It has to be for the right reasons. Not just because the fans said so. I have to want to fight Gunther. He has to want to fight me. There has to be a good reason. There has to be a good cause. It can’t just happen because fans say it’s a dream match.”
—Oba Femi, WWE NXT World Champion
Currently, Oba Femi has yet to appear on WWE’s main roster, so a bout against Gunther remains a prospect for the future. Gunther, meanwhile, is temporarily sidelined following nose surgery after his SummerSlam loss to CM Punk. As the reigning NXT World Champion continues to showcase his talents, WWE fans can expect to see more of him on larger stages like RAW or SmackDown soon.
Femi’s recent performances in NXT include a memorable main event victory over Je’Von Evans at NXT Heatwave on August 24, further cementing his place as one of the company’s brightest young stars.
Oba Femi Aims to Challenge WWE Legends as Part of His Rise
Though Oba Femi is not rushing toward a match with Gunther, he has openly declared his readiness to face some of WWE’s most iconic veterans before they retire. One such legend is John Cena, the 17-time world champion who plans to conclude his career in December after a limited number of remaining matches. Cena has never competed on NXT, so a match with Femi would be a historic moment for the brand.
“If I could catch John Cena… I’ll put him out, I’ll show him the door, he’s on the way out, so watch your step, you know? I would. CM Punk would be another good one.”
—Oba Femi, WWE NXT World Champion
Femi also expressed his interest in facing CM Punk, who is known for battling heavyweight opponents such as Brock Lesnar and Gunther himself. Femi described Punk’s unique style and experience as an exciting challenge within the wrestling world.
“Big man, different style. Smaller guy, but very experienced, and he’s carved out his own move set, and he’s well recognised within the wrestling ecosystem, and so am I. So those are the interesting scenarios. It’s limitless what we can do.”
—Oba Femi, WWE NXT World Champion
Randy Orton, considered by many to be one of the best technical wrestlers in WWE history, is another veteran Femi is willing to face. Acknowledging the physical toll on Orton’s body, Femi spoke about the need for new talent to take the spotlight in the company’s evolving landscape.
“I would definitely fight Randy. Just feel sorry for Randy, his back. I’ll show him the door too. It’s about time. I grew up watching those guys. I think they’ve been on top for a very long time and I think enough is enough. I think it’s time for the new crop of superstars to rise up to the top.”
—Oba Femi, WWE NXT World Champion
For now, Oba Femi is preparing to defend his NXT World Championship against Ricky Saints at the upcoming NXT No Mercy event on September 27. His focus remains on solidifying his dominance in NXT and proving himself ready to compete with the best of WWE’s current and past stars.
