WWE Sees Oba Femi As The Next Big Star After Recent Main Roster Shows
WWE’s developmental system has long been the breeding ground for future megastars and household names. Every so often, a talent emerges from NXT with a combination of charisma, athleticism and sheer presence that forces executives to take notice. This month, Oba Femi did exactly that.
According to multiple reports, WWE officials were “unbelievably impressed” by Femi’s recent appearances on SmackDown and Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME). This sparked intense speculation that the 27-year-old NXT Champion is on the brink of a major call-up to WWE’s flagship programming.
What’s happening behind the scenes and why the company might be ready to push him into the spotlight sooner rather than later has become one of the hottest topics in professional wrestling.
WWE’s New Favorite Heavyweight After SmackDown And SNME Exposure
Oba Femi’s trajectory within WWE has been steadily rising, but his December appearances on the main roster appear to have accelerated his buzz internally. On SmackDown and at Saturday Night’s Main Event, he showcased a rare combination of size, intensity, and surprising agility that stood out to creative and upper management.
This isn’t simply hearsay, multiple outlets, including Bodyslam.net, WrestlePurists and WrestleZone, all report internal sources describing officials as “unbelievably impressed” with what they saw from Femi in those high-profile settings. The SNME match was particularly notable because it wasn’t just a cameo or a short segment.
Femi was placed in a champion-versus-champion matchup against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. A marquee position usually reserved for established stars. Despite the contest ending in a no-contest due to interference from Drew McIntyre, Femi’s presentation and performance earned genuine praise from within WWE.
That’s no small feat given the context; SNME was also the night WWE legend John Cena had his final match, meaning the show was under the brightest possible spotlight. Internal buzz now suggests WWE is not just impressed with Femi’s physical prowess, but also the intangible qualities he brings to the ring, confidence, presence, and a look that draws attention instantly.
How Femi’s NXT Success Built His Main Roster Case
Oba Femi’s rise didn’t start with those two appearances. He’s been steadily building a résumé in NXT that demands respect. Born Isaac Odugbesan in Lagos, Nigeria, Femi began his journey not in wrestling, but as a collegiate track and field standout. Competing in shot put at the University of Alabama before transitioning into WWE’s performance center in 2021.
Since then, he’s become one of NXT’s most dominant big men. Femi is currently in his second reign as NXT Champion and previously set the record for the longest NXT North American Championship reign at 273 days. Accomplishments that illustrate both his consistency and the company’s faith in him.
Across the board, his time in NXT has shown that he isn’t just a physical specimen. He has refined his craft in the ring, improved his mic work, and developed a presence that plays well with live audiences.
Commentary from veterans like Booker T only reinforces this viewpoint, with notes that Femi looked like he “belonged on the main roster” and could compete with anyone on WWE’s biggest stages.
What Officials See In Femi That Sets Him Apart
When WWE officials compare Oba Femi to established rising stars like Bron Breakker, they’re not throwing around compliments lightly. Breakker has been positioned as part of WWE’s next generation, a future world champion, and a cornerstone of Raw’s landscape. Internal reports indicate Femi is viewed on that same trajectory.
One major factor in that belief is Femi’s versatility. Unlike your typical “big man” who relies solely on strength and power moves, Femi brings surprising agility and fluidity for a man of his size. His style reflects a blend of raw power and athleticism, making him exciting to watch and adaptable in storyline settings.
WWE also appears to be feeding that narrative in promotional content; vignettes for Femi have aired on both Raw and SmackDown, signaling an official intent to elevate his profile beyond NXT.
Another crucial aspect is timing. With legends like Cena stepping away, and for a generational shift underway, WWE is clearly looking for fresh faces to lead the next chapter. Femi’s emergence has coincided perfectly with that need, giving creative a ready-made star to fill the void left by departing veterans.
What A Main Roster Call-Up Could Look Like
Predicting exactly how WWE will introduce Oba Femi to the main roster is still speculative, but all signs point toward a forward-thinking plan. Given the level of internal praise and the confidence officials seem to have in him, a run on Monday Night Raw or Friday Night SmackDown seems likely early in 2026.
Possible booking scenarios could include immediate engagement with top names such as Drew McIntyre or Randy Orton, matches Femi himself has mentioned wanting in interviews. Or also a gradual build as he establishes himself as a takeover threat in mid-card or even title picture storylines.
Fans online have reacted strongly to his recent performances, with social media abuzz about his chants, entrance reactions, and overall presence. These reactions matter; WWE pays attention to crowd response, especially when introducing a new face to the big stage.
The Future Looks Bright For “The Ruler”
Oba Femi’s climb within WWE has been methodical, impressive, and now, impossible to ignore. From NXT standout to someone officials see on the same level as high-profile talents, Femi’s journey reflects both his hard work and WWE’s increasing willingness to elevate new talent.
If the company deploys him effectively, Femi could be poised to be one of the main roster’s defining figures in the years ahead. Whether that means world titles, marquee feuds or WrestleMania moments remains to be seen, but all the key ingredients are in place. What is clear is that WWE officials aren’t just impressed; they believe they’ve found something special in Oba Femi.
