Oba Femi to the main roster is one of the hottest topics in wrestling right now. He just dropped the NXT Championship to Ricky Saints, ending a 263-day run as champion. He wasn’t on the episode of NXT that followed, leaving many to wonder what’s next for Femi. It looks like he’s staying put for at least a few months, according to initial reports.
Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer reported that Femi is to remain in NXT according to his sources.
“Regarding the idea Oba Femi lost the NXT Title so he could be brought to the main roster, 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 reported in the Wrestling Observer newsletter. “So, it’s a no as far as just about anyone knows, but there is no such thing as a 100 percent no.”
Fans immediately questioned the report, wondering what else there is left for Femi to achieve in NXT. The answer is quite simple. He’s done all he needs to do in NXT, and there’s no reason to keep him in the brand any longer. According to Cagematch data, he’s lost only three matches since 2024, so having him lose any more would be pointless. Moving him up to the main roster and doing it quickly would make the most sense. Seeing him take additional losses in NXT would only cut into his momentum. But no one would be surprised if WWE made that decision.
Looking at the main roster today, there are two interesting ways Oba Femi could make the jump. First, Sami Zayn is the perfect WWE United States Champion right now. He’s someone who can help rebuild that title. The open challenges he’s doing each week are helping. Look at how his match with Je’Von Evans helped put some momentum behind him. What if he did one too many and it was Oba Femi who answered the call? The only way that match should go is with Femi squashing Zayn and taking the title. Setting up a long-term feud between them two that would see Femi keep the title and Zayn move into the main event.
Since it is October and the year is coming to an end, there’s another opportunity to introduce Femi to the main roster. The 2026 Royal Rumble is set for Saturday, January 31, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It would be a huge moment to see Femi come out in one of the early spots, one of the first 5-7, and have him go on a massive run. Fans will lose their mind if he single-handedly eliminates someone like Brock Lesnar or GUNTHER from the match. That would be the perfect way to make him and build his run to something big, but again, this is WWE about which we are talking.
Oba Femi does not need to stay in WWE NXT any longer. He’s held the top two titles for more than a combined 500 days. He doesn’t need to take any additional losses. Put him on Monday Night Raw or SmackDown and give him the same type of push Bron Breakker is getting. It’s time.