During the WWE Royal Rumble 2026 event held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this past January, Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar briefly clashed in the Men’s Royal Rumble match, which ended with Lesnar eliminating Femi. Recently, Lesnar announced an open challenge for a match scheduled at WrestleMania 42 in April, sparking widespread speculation that Femi could be his opponent.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Femi shared his thoughts on fans comparing him to Lesnar and discussed the possibility of facing the wrestling legend in the future.
“What a run for him. He had two separate runs, and they’ve both been fantastic. It would be really cool to face him. I know the fans have been asking for that match. It’s going to happen one day soon. What a run he has had the UFC champion, multiple time WWE champion, Royal Rumble winner, dominance. What a way to cap it off by facing ‘The Ruler.’” – Oba Femi, WWE Superstar
Femi also reflected on how he has been adapting to WWE’s main roster after his promotion from NXT.
“There is a lot more traveling on the main roster. A way bigger audience and platform. I’m glad that everything I was able to do over at NXT happened. I was able to translate to the main roster effortlessly, seamlessly. The crowd has been behind me. They know my schtick. They know what I do. ‘The Ruler’ is here to stay on the main roster.” – Oba Femi, WWE Superstar
New Talent Joins WWE’s NXT Developmental Brand
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, WWE has signed three new athletes for its NXT Performance Center contracts: Ahmed Essam, Delia Schweizer, and Ellen B. Akesson. These new signings reflect ongoing recruitment efforts to strengthen WWE’s developmental roster.
Essam was one of the participants at the SummerSlam 2025 tryouts held in New Jersey, bringing with him experience in both wrestling and mixed martial arts. Schweizer also attended the SummerSlam tryouts and has a background rooted in CrossFit, demonstrating versatile athletic skills.
Akesson, meanwhile, offers a unique set of strengths derived from arm wrestling, powerlifting, strongwoman competitions, and streetlifting, adding impressive physical capabilities to WWE’s talent pool.
Current Status of Zoey Stark’s Recovery from ACL, MCL, and Meniscus Injuries
Zoey Stark has been sidelined since May following surgeries on her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. Recent updates indicate that Stark is still several months away from returning to WWE’s ring. This news comes from Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, who cited reliable sources within WWE.
Stark has been undergoing rehabilitation at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as she works diligently to recover from the injuries sustained earlier this year. Her absence from in-ring action has been felt by fans and colleagues alike, who remain hopeful for her eventual comeback.
The Importance of Stark’s Return and Its Impact on WWE
Zoey Stark’s extended recovery highlights the physical toll that professional wrestling can take on athletes, making her rehabilitation progress a critical storyline for fans and the WWE roster. Her eventual return is expected to bring renewed excitement and energy to the lineup, especially given her dynamic in-ring style and popularity.
As WWE prepares for upcoming major events like WrestleMania 42, the returning talents, combined with fresh signees like Essam, Schweizer, and Akesson, will play a crucial role in shaping the company’s future. Meanwhile, Oba Femi’s potential match with Brock Lesnar adds anticipation to the narrative, emphasizing WWE’s blend of experienced stars and emerging performers.
