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Tag: Oba Femi

  • Gunther Calls Oba Femi A ‘Standout Talent’ And Teases Future Match

    Gunther Calls Oba Femi A ‘Standout Talent’ And Teases Future Match

    Gunther has praised Oba Femi as a standout talent while explaining exactly why a future match between the two would be unlike anything fans have seen from Femi so far.

    Speaking on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast, Gunther acknowledged Femi’s rapid rise while noting the pressure that comes with it.

    “I honestly don’t really spend too much time on looking what the other ones do. But I always keep an eye on the big picture and obviously Oba is a standout talent. I think in the short time he’s been in the company, he’s taken huge steps. But I think that’s also, we will see how he deals with that. That’s a big burden or a big responsibility right from the get go. I want to see him succeed in that, because I think he’s an amazing talent and the future is very bright for him. I hope he maintains that, stays around, so when it comes down to us two, he’s gonna be ready for it.”

    Gunther addressed a common misconception about how a physical matchup between the two would actually play out, making clear it would not be a power vs. power contest.

    “I’m tall and I’m a heavyweight, but people often, when they think about matches with Oba, it’s not gonna be like how Oba and Brock is. I wouldn’t meet up with Oba on a physical level. He’s stronger than I am, I don’t know if he’s a little bit taller or not, and he’s younger than I am. So it makes absolutely no sense. I think what would make that interesting is seeing me work from underneath a little bit, wrestle from underneath against a stronger opponent.”

    He also identified the specific challenge a Femi match would present for the younger star.

    “I think that’s a test that would be interesting for him, how to last in a longer match, how to endure 20 minutes with somebody much, much, much more experienced than him. And that’s why I need him to gain experience himself first, because when I meet him, I wanna meet him on eye level.”

    Gunther challenges Cody Rhodes for the Undisputed WWE Championship at Clash in Italy on May 31. Femi faces Brock Lesnar in a rematch from WrestleMania 42 on the same card.

  • Brock Lesnar Vows To Conquer Oba Femi At WWE Clash In Italy

    Brock Lesnar Vows To Conquer Oba Femi At WWE Clash In Italy

    Brock Lesnar resurfaced on this week’s go-home edition of Raw, appearing in a pre-taped video promo to confirm he intends to go through with his Clash in Italy rematch against Oba Femi.

    Paul Heyman set up the message from the ring at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, Ohio, billing Sunday’s bout as the biggest rematch in WWE history. In the video, Lesnar admitted his WrestleMania 42 loss to Femi got under his skin.

    “I’ve had my share of ass whoopings over the years, but none quite like that, it was humbling,” Lesnar said. “You beat my ass so bad I said ‘that’s it, I’m done.’ But that doesn’t sit very well with me, Oba. You’re gonna get your ass kicked by a humbled, retired beast. Brock Lesnar will conquer Oba Femi. I am gonna rule over Oba Femi.”

    Oba Femi Fires Back At Paul Heyman

    Femi answered immediately after the video, marching to the ring to get in Heyman’s face. The Ruler told the advocate he needed him alive and well to tell the story of what happens Sunday.

    Femi said his approach has changed since WrestleMania. In Las Vegas, he was fighting to beat Lesnar. In Turin, he said, he is fighting to kill him. He then produced the rematch contract and had Heyman sign off on it.

    The rivalry traces back to Allegiant Stadium, where Femi pinned Lesnar in under five minutes and Lesnar left his gloves and boots in the ring in what looked like a retirement. He stayed off WWE television for a month before returning on the May 18 Raw to ambush Femi with four F5s.

    Lesnar and Femi settle the rematch this Sunday, May 31 at Clash in Italy, WWE’s first Premium Live Event in the country, from the Inalpi Arena in Turin.

  • WWE Tested Oba Femi Attitude With Losing Streak

    WWE Tested Oba Femi Attitude With Losing Streak

    Former WWE star Donovan Dijak recently claimed WWE strategically uses match bookings to test whether wrestlers have attitude problems before making major investments in them. The former WWE star pointed to Oba Femi’s early NXT run as a prime example of this practice.

    Dijak commented on a post highlighting that ‘The Ruler’ went 0-5 on NXT LVL Up in 2022 and 2023, with every loss coming against wrestlers no longer with the company. According to Dijak, these bookings were deliberate tests to gauge Femi’s professionalism and attitude.

    “I don’t even know if this is true or not, but it wouldn’t surprise me. WWE will often quietly test wrestlers to see if they have an attitude problem, especially if they have big plans in store,” Dijak wrote on X. “Oba obviously passed with flying colors. I never heard anything even remotely negative and he was a pleasure to work with.”

    Femi’s Rise After Passing The Test

    Femi’s career trajectory since those early losses validates Dijak’s theory. The Nigerian powerhouse defeated Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42. He has been running dominant open challenges weekly on Raw, cementing his status as one of WWE’s top stars.

  • Braun Strowman Says WWE Can’t Afford Him After Oba Femi Feud Pitch

    Braun Strowman Says WWE Can’t Afford Him After Oba Femi Feud Pitch

    Braun Strowman has added another layer to the ongoing conversation about a potential feud with Oba Femi, responding to a fan’s suggestion with a joke about WWE’s ability to meet his price.

    The exchange unfolded in the comments section of a gym video Strowman posted on Instagram. A fan urged WWE to book a program between the two immediately, writing “We need a storyline with you and OBA stat!!!!!!” Strowman replied directly with a line that was short, pointed, and deliberately about how much truth it contained.

    “They can’t afford me lol.”

    Strowman has been publicly bullish about Femi in recent months, previously claiming he would squash the undefeated star faster than Goldberg.  Femi has continued building momentum since his stunning victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 Night Two in Las Vegas. Reports indicate WWE plans to place him in a program with Roman Reigns as part of the World Heavyweight Championship picture, with Lesnar’s win having established the credibility needed to make that matchup viable.

    Strowman has not wrestled since leaving WWE in the summer of 2025 and has described himself as semi-retired from professional wrestling. He remains connected to the company through Everything on the Menu, a cooking show produced by WWE Studios that is set to return for its second season on USA Network on June 5, taking over the 10 p.m. slot currently occupied by SmackDown’s third hour.

    Whether his comment about WWE’s budget reflects genuine contract frustration, a negotiating position being played out publicly, or simply a quick joke at his former employer’s expense is impossible to determine. Either way, the idea of Strowman and Femi sharing a program has captured fan imagination, and Strowman is clearly aware of that.

  • Mark Henry Issues Career Warning to Oba Femi After WrestleMania 42 Win

    Mark Henry Issues Career Warning to Oba Femi After WrestleMania 42 Win

    Mark Henry wants Oba Femi to develop one specific skill as his WWE career accelerates following his victory over Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42, and it has nothing to do with what happens inside the ring.

    Speaking with Toronto Sun, Henry argued that the ability to decline certain creative directions is not a sign of being difficult but a necessary thing to do.

    “It’s learning to say no. There’s some things that are not going to be good for you going forward and it’s tough to say no, but you have to be able to say, ‘We worked too hard to get to this point, I think that would take us backwards. Is there another way we could do it because that just doesn’t work for me.’ You’re not being difficult, you’re not being a butthole, you’re being cautious and careful about your development and where you’re going. That’s just my advice to Oba and well as my advice to the company. Do the right thing and be flexible. Don’t be so rigid when an idea is struck and you just don’t feel it. If you emotionally can’t get your mind into it, it’s not going to play out well to the people that are watching.”

    Henry directed the message not just at Femi but at WWE itself, framing flexibility as a two-way responsibility between performer and company.

    Femi’s defeat of Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 Night Two in Las Vegas was widely viewed as one of the more star-making moments of the entire weekend. Reports have since indicated WWE is planning to position him against Roman Reigns as part of the World Heavyweight Championship picture, with Femi’s win over Lesnar establishing the credibility needed to make that program believable.

  • Oba Femi Launches Weekly Open Challenge On WWE Raw

    Oba Femi Launches Weekly Open Challenge On WWE Raw

    Oba Femi has announced a new weekly initiative on WWE Raw. On the April 27, 2026 episode from Sames Auto Arena in Laredo, Texas, Femi declared that “The Oba Femi Open Challenge will commence,” opening the door to all comers on the red brand.

    The move formalizes Femi’s status as a leader on Raw following his WrestleMania 42 win over Brock Lesnar. Rather than chase a single feud out of the gate, The Ruler is positioning himself as a weekly destination, daring any superstar to step up.

    It is a familiar device, evoking the Open Challenges that helped elevate stars like John Cena and Sheamus during their respective US Title runs. The difference here is that Femi is doing it without a championship around his waist, using the format itself as the platform.

    Building Off The WrestleMania Moment

    Femi rose to prominence by accepting Brock Lesnar’s open challenge, defeating The Beast at WrestleMania 42 Night 2 on April 19 in Las Vegas. After kicking out of an F5 and connecting with the Fall From Grace for the win, Femi watched as Lesnar removed his gloves and boots in the center of the ring, a gesture widely read as a retirement signal.

    The following night on the Raw after WrestleMania, Femi opened the show with a four-word statement: “The Ruler has arrived.” Tonight’s announcement gives that proclamation a structure.

    Instead of waiting for storylines to come to him, Femi is generating his own, a smart use of his momentum during a period when WWE creative is reportedly weighing him as a potential WrestleMania 43 main eventer.

    With Backlash three weeks away on May 9, the Open Challenge format gives WWE a flexible runway to test opponents, build heat, and decide where Femi’s first main roster title pursuit will land.

  • WWE Legend Picks Oba Femi Over Bron Breakker For Headlining WrestleMania 43

    WWE Legend Picks Oba Femi Over Bron Breakker For Headlining WrestleMania 43

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross believes Oba Femi has the strongest chance to headline WrestleMania 43 as WWE Champion, ranking him ahead of Bron Breakker and Logan Paul.

    Femi’s momentum shifted dramatically after his main roster debut led to a feud with Brock Lesnar. At WrestleMania 42, Femi defeated Lesnar in his first WrestleMania appearance, with ‘The Beast Incarnate’ removing his gloves and boots afterward to signal retirement.

    Ross Explains His WrestleMania 43 Pick

    Good Ol’ JR discussed the rising stars’ championship potential on the latest Grilling JR Podcast. Ross highlighted Femi’s unique positioning after defeating Lesnar as the key factor in his prediction. Ross sees ‘The Ruler’ as the slight favorite in the championship race.

    “He’s got a better shot at it than anybody you and I can probably name right now, because he beat the monster. And he’s unique. His look is unique. He’s very impressive in that regard.

    Oba Femi being the champion at next year’s WrestleMania is going to be dependent upon how fast the company can build total confidence in his ability. He’s got to stay reliable. He’s got to work on his game. He ain’t ready. But you got to run with a guy if you’re making that kind of commitment.”

    The veteran commentator acknowledged that the Nigerian powerhouse still needs development, but emphasized WWE’s commitment by having him defeat Lesnar. He noted that no one currently on the roster has a significantly better chance at holding the title at WrestleMania 43.

    Breakker and Paul Also in Contention

    While selecting Femi as his top choice, Ross praised both Breakker and Paul. He called Paul “the best worker of the group” and noted his fundamental soundness often gets overlooked due to his physique.

    Ross expressed strong support for Breakker’s potential, citing his athletic background and wrestling lineage.

    “Breakker is a, I love his game because he’s a legitimate tough athlete that has the pro wrestling DNA flowing through his veins. If I had to make a pick, Oba is going to be one, and maybe Breakker will be one A. But you damn sure don’t want to pass over on Steiner’s kid.”

    Breakker returned at WrestleMania 42 after recovering from hernia surgery for nearly two and a half months. He speared Seth Rollins and cost him his match against Gunther at the Premium Live Event.

    Both Femi and Breakker previously competed in NXT before their main roster transitions. Paul took a different path, working feuds with Sami Zayn and The Miz before becoming a full-time WWE performer.

  • Roman Reigns Responds To Oba Femi’s Challenge

    Roman Reigns Responds To Oba Femi’s Challenge

    Roman Reigns is ready for Oba Femi.

    The Ruler had the biggest WrestleMania debut as he not only defeated Brock Lesnar but also retired the former UFC Star. While appearing on the WrestleMania post show, Femi then made his future intentions clear, noting that he will be coming after the OTC at the end of the year, once he has established himself as a main event player.

    The Tribal Chief himself also made an appearance on the post show later on, after he defeated CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the PPV. When he talked about future contenders, the crowd let him know who they wanted to see Reigns face next with loud ‘Oba’s gonna kill you’ chants.

    Roman Reigns Responds To Oba Femi

    Roman Reigns was then asked what he thought about the events of the opening match of the night. The Head of the Table noted that he has already defeated Brock Lesnar before, with a title on the line. He also responded to Oba’s comments about facing him at the end of the year, saying that he’ll be watching how the former NXT Champion does through the Summer:

    “Oba…you gonna kill me? See, you seem still a little fresh in this business. You did a big thing tonight, but I’ve done that many times. And I’ve done it with a title on the line. I took it, I defended it. Let’s see how you do through the summer. Let’s see how you do. Then we’ll know if you can step up to the greatest of all time.”

    WWE was originally expected to hold 2 more events in Saudi Arabia this year. It’s likely that the company will hold off this bout for a show in Middle East, or for the SummerSlam PPV in August.

  • Oba Femi Is Coming After Roman Reigns Following WrestleMania Victory

    Oba Femi Is Coming After Roman Reigns Following WrestleMania Victory

    Oba Femi is ready for the Tribal Chief.

    The Ruler had the biggest WrestleMania debut imaginable as he not only went toe to toe with The Beast Brock Lesnar, but seemingly also retired the former UFC Star. The former NXT Champion then appeared on the PPV post-show, where he was asked what the coming days, weeks, and months look like for him after this huge victory.

    Oba Femi noted that he will reserve one day for celebration before starting the work to establish himself as a main event player in the coming months. The Monster-Sized Athlete then proclaimed that the ‘OTC’ Roman Reigns would be his target once he has done so:

    “I think tomorrow is a celebration, I think in the coming weeks is the establishment of a new main event player. And I think at the end of the year, the OTC can get some!”

    Roman Reigns himself had named Femi as a potential challenger when asked which young star could step up to him in coming times just before WrestleMania.

    Though Femi is not the only one who will be coming after Reigns. After defeating CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship in the main event of the PPV, Roman will have the attention of everyone who wants to challenge for the title.

  • Paul Heyman Calls Oba Femi ‘Born to Rule’ and Says He Will Bring Out the Best Brock Lesnar Ever

    Paul Heyman Calls Oba Femi ‘Born to Rule’ and Says He Will Bring Out the Best Brock Lesnar Ever

    Paul Heyman has delivered a lengthy and genuine endorsement of Oba Femi ahead of their WrestleMania 42 collision with Brock Lesnar on Night Two, and the praise goes well beyond surface-level hype.

    Speaking to Stephen A. Smith in the lead-up to the show, Heyman described Femi as a rare performer who carries the kind of inner confidence that cannot be manufactured or coached into someone.

    “He’s poised. He’s calm. He knows it. He knows it, but it’s with no arrogance. He’s not walking around saying, ‘Yeah, I know it all, you bitches just bow down and kiss my ass.’ It’s not that way. You sit there and you look in his eyes and you realize he’s not nervous. He’s not flinching. It’s not overwhelming to him,” Heyman said.

    He then connected that quality to Femi’s on-screen identity, arguing the name is not a character but a reflection of who the man actually is.

    “He calls himself ‘The Ruler’ Oba Femi and that’s exactly what he was born to do. He was born to rule,” Heyman said.

    From there, Heyman turned to Lesnar and made the case that Femi’s presence is doing something that very few opponents in Lesnar’s career have managed: giving The Beast a reason to push himself.

    “I would love someone that I could look at and say, ‘That man can beat Brock Lesnar. That man is bigger than Brock Lesnar, that man is faster than Brock Lesnar, that man is a better combat athlete than Brock Lesnar,’ because that’s when Brock Lesnar gets challenged. The problem for Brock Lesnar in life is it’s tough to find a challenge for him. It’s tough to find someone that can make him raise his levels.”

    Heyman acknowledged Lesnar’s losses while framing them as part of what makes him dangerous rather than evidence of vulnerability.

    “Yes, Brock Lesnar has lost in life but who amongst us has not suffered a defeat? It’s those that come back. What’s the first lesson you learned when you were a kid and you’re riding a bike? You fall off and you get back on.”

    He closed by framing the matchup as a gift to fans who have never seen Lesnar truly tested. “Finally there’s somebody who can push Brock Lesnar and we can see what Brock Lesnar’s limits are. This man, this Oba Femi, the momentum he’s riding, the physicality that he brings, the sheer violence that he now returns to WWE is going to enable us to present the best Brock Lesnar ever.”

  • Triple H Defends Pat McAfee WrestleMania 42 Role on ESPN

    Triple H Defends Pat McAfee WrestleMania 42 Role on ESPN

    Triple H is pushing back on the growing fan backlash over Pat McAfee’s insertion into the WrestleMania 42 main event picture, framing the controversy as a win for WWE rather than a problem.

    WWE’s Chief Content Officer appeared on ESPN’s First Take with Stephen A. Smith and Peter Rosenberg on Wednesday to promote the April 18-19 event at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The full interview is available below.

    Triple H Says “Talk Is Good” Amid McAfee Controversy

    Triple H on ESPN First Take

    Asked about the heat surrounding McAfee’s presence in the Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton storyline, Triple H dismissed the idea that the discourse is a negative for WWE. Instead, he leaned into it.

    “It’s always pressure, but the thing is talk is good, right? People are talking and that is a good thing,” Triple H said. “Pat, love him or hate him, Pat makes people talk, right? And I think that’s what’s important here is people are talking. This is going to be an amazing show. This will be incredible and it will deliver on all levels.”

    The comments come as fan frustration over the angle has reached a fever pitch. Rhodes himself called the McAfee reveal “the most ill-received thing in the history of wrestling” on the SI Media podcast, and more recently labeled McAfee “a full-blooded rat” during an ESPN Get Up appearance.

    Reports Say McAfee Push Came From Above Triple H

    Pat McAfee on WWE Smackdown
    WWE

    Triple H’s public defense of the angle is notable given the reporting around how McAfee ended up in the storyline. Per Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio, the push to insert McAfee came from TKO Executive Chairman Ari Emanuel, not WWE creative.

    Fightful Select separately reported the move was designed as “corporate synergy” tied to WWE’s new ESPN partnership, with McAfee serving as a recognizable face for the first-ever WrestleMania broadcast on ESPN platforms.

    Oba Femi Gets a Triple H Endorsement

    Beyond the McAfee discussion, Triple H used the ESPN platform to put a spotlight on Oba Femi, calling the former NXT Champion a generational talent. He specifically praised Femi’s ability to trade verbal blows with Paul Heyman in recent weeks.

    Femi faces Brock Lesnar in a match that will open Night 2 of WrestleMania 42, with the first hour airing free on ESPN.

    Triple H also reflected on how WrestleMania has evolved from his 1996 debut in an arena setting into a week-long stadium spectacle, and credited the event’s multi-generational appeal as a key driver of WWE’s current run.

    WrestleMania 42 emanates from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19, with the full show streaming on ESPN Unlimited in the US and Netflix internationally.

  • Oba Femi Reveals Controversial Pick For GOAT John Cena Moment

    Oba Femi Reveals Controversial Pick For GOAT John Cena Moment

    Oba Femi has revealed his favorite John Cena moment.

    The Ruler was recently featured in a new IGN video, along with Jacob Fatu. The two WWE stars were asked to reveal their GOATs in several categories, such as pizza toppings, condiments, entrances, and more.

    When asked about the GOAT John Cena moment, Fatu recalled the time his eldest son got to meet the Cenation Leader. Oba Femi, however, went a different route and picked Cena vanquishing Nexus as his GOAT moment:

    “My greatest Cena moment would have to be when he single-handedly vanquished the Nexus. All by himself. That has to be the greatest moment ever. Super Cena for the win!”

    The former NXT Champion is referring to the SummerSlam 2010 event, which saw the 17-time World Champion leading a team of WWE stars against Nexus in an elimination tag match. Cena was the last surviving member of the team against Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett. Despite taking a DDT on the concrete floor, John Cena went on to win the match for his team.

    Several people involved in the bout have since revealed that the original plan was for Nexus to go over, but it was changed on the day of the PPV on Cena’s insistence. This decision has been widely criticised as the faction lost all momentum after this loss, and the group was soon disbanded.

  • New Paul Heyman Guy Teased On Raw

    New Paul Heyman Guy Teased On Raw

    A new Paul Heyman guy?

    The WrestleMania go-home episode of Raw saw Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar finally making their match official by signing the contract for the bout separately. This came after the two destroyed everything in sight during last week’s contract signing segment.

    The Beast Incarnate was the first to put ink to paper in the opening segment of the night. Paul Heyman accompanied him and cut the usual promo about his client.

    Oba Femi – A Paul Heyman Guy?

    This wasn’t the last of Heyman we saw on the show, however, as he made another appearance later in the night, when Oba Femi got in the ring to sign the contract. The former ECW owner hyped up Femi as the most violent person to come to WWE since Brock Lesnar. Paul Heyman then offered to become the advocate of The Ruler after WrestleMania:

    “There is no shame in this loss for you, Oba. There is nothing but pride. You sir, are in the real main event of WrestleMania. And when you get conquered, and by God you will be conquered Sunday by Brock Lesnar. I give you my word, Oba Femi, I promise you. When you need to rebuild your career after WrestleMania, my door will always be open to Oba Femi.”

    Changing alliances is not a new thing for Paul Heyman, and the Wise man is usually found at the side of the most dominant name on the roster. Would you like to see Heyman on the side of Oba Femi if he beats Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

  • Reason Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar Not Main Eventing WrestleMania 42 Night 1

    Reason Oba Femi vs Brock Lesnar Not Main Eventing WrestleMania 42 Night 1

    Reports have emerged on why Brock Lesnar vs Oba Femi will not headline WrestleMania 42 Night 1, despite the magnitude of the matchup. Instead, the bout will open Night 2 on ESPN

    WWE confirmed the official match cards for WrestleMania 42 Night 1 and Night 2 during an appearance by Joe Tessitore on ESPN’s Get Up show. The announcement revealed the placement of several high-profile matches across both nights.

    Brock Lesnar vs Oba Femi Kicks Off Night 2

    Bryan Alvarez addressed the decision on Wrestling Observer Live, explaining WWE’s strategy behind the placement. According to Alvarez, the company wants a marquee match airing on ESPN to maximize exposure.

    “The reason that Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi is not headlining night one, which it should, if we’re being honest, is because it’s opening night two. It is going to be on ESPN, free for everybody. They just want a big fight on ESPN.”

    The ladder match featuring Penta, Je’Von Evans, Dragon Lee, Rusev, JD McDonagh and Rey Mysterio will also air on ESPN during Night 2.

    The highly anticipated clash between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi has generated massive excitement. It all kicked off when Lesnar laid down an open challenge. Oba Femi stormed onto the scene to a massive reaction, instantly shifting the spotlight. ‘The Ruler’ then lifted Lesnar and planted him with a devastating “Fall from Grace.”

    From that moment on, the road to WrestleMania has been intense. The initial setup was powerful, and every segment that followed only added more fuel to what’s shaping up to be a must-see battle.

  • Watch: What Happened With Brock Lesnar And Oba Femi After Raw Went Off Air

    Watch: What Happened With Brock Lesnar And Oba Femi After Raw Went Off Air

    The destruction continued after Raw.

    The WrestleMania contract signing segment between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar main evented tonight’s show. Both Triple H and Adam Pearce were in the ring for this, but they couldn’t stop the two meaty men from getting physical.

    The Beast Incarnate attacked the former NXT Champion during his entrance, and Oba responded by sending Brock into the ring post. Femi then put Lesnar through the table set for the contract signing, as security failed to keep them apart. The show went off air with Lesnar throwing an office chair at his WrestleMania opponent and Oba Femi throwing it back.

    What Happened After Raw

    Fans chanted ‘Let Them Fight’ as the security finally got the situation under control after Raw went off air. Brock Lesnar then exited the ring, but he didn’t leave immediately. The former UFC star picked up the steel steps and threw it into the ring, catching a couple of security guards in the process.

    Oba Femi aimed the steps back at Lesnar, but Brock managed to avoid the blow. The former WWE Champion finally left the arena while Femi remained in the ring with Triple H and Adam Pearce. Oba picked up a security guard in frustration and power bombed him to finally end the segment.

    Brock Lesnar is scheduled to make an appearance at next week’s WrestleMania go-home episode of Raw as well. It’s likely that the two will finally sign the contract to make the Mania match official at the show.

  • Dominik Mysterio and Oba Femi Face Harrassment From Fans Before WrestleMania 42

    Dominik Mysterio and Oba Femi Face Harrassment From Fans Before WrestleMania 42

    WWE Superstars Oba Femi and Dominik Mysterio were recently harassed by autograph scalpers.

    ‘The Ruler’ was spotted outside his hotel just days before his scheduled match at WrestleMania 42. In a video clip, the group of scalpers could be seen standing nearby, staring at Femi, hoping to get his attention for autographs they could resell.

    However, the former NXT Champion ignored them while waiting outside his hotel.

    Dominik Mysterio Confronted

    AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio was also recently confronted by an angry fan as the former refused requests for photos and autographs. In a video clip, the former WWE Intercontinental Champion could be seen exiting a vehicle as multiple people approached him.

    One person can be heard urging Mysterio to “have a heart” before adding, “don’t forget, we made you.”

    Pattern of Fan Harassment

    The incident mirrors a recent situation involving Stephanie Vaquer. A fan attempted to shame her on social media after she declined photo requests on her birthday.

    Vaquer later revealed the individual followed her, made her uncomfortable, and directed hurtful comments at her during what was already a difficult day.

    Years ago, Rey Mysterio faced similar criticism when he refused to sign multiple items for a fan. The elder Mysterio suspected the items would be resold for profit rather than kept by an actual supporter.

    WWE talent are not obligated to fulfill fan requests outside of scheduled appearances and meet-and-greet events.

  • Former UFC Champion Says Oba Femi Is ‘Carrying WWE Right Now’

    Former UFC Champion Says Oba Femi Is ‘Carrying WWE Right Now’

    Israel Adesanya is a fan of Oba Femi.

    The former UFC Middleweight Champion recently spoke to Full Send MMA for an interview promoting his fight with Joe Pyfer that is set to main event this Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event. He talked about things such as his past opponents, his message for Malcolm Schuyler, and more.

    They also discussed a little bit of wrestling, namely, which theme songs he considers to be his top 5 of all time. Israel Adesanya named Rey Mysterio and The Rock as his first two picks and then mentioned that he was really excited to hear Stone Cold Steve Austin’s theme song at WrestleMania last year:

    “Stone Cold. When you hear the glass shatter, you know what the fuck’s happening. I was at WrestleMania last year. It was a secret or surprise, but I kind of had a feeling he was going to pull up. But when I heard the glass shatter, I lost my fucking mind,”

    He’s The Guy: Israel Adesanya

    Israel Adesanya then picked Stacey Kiebler as his fourth entry in the list before commenting on Oba Femi’s recent rise in WWE:

    “One more, I’d say right now, Oba Femi. I really like the way he just moves. I like the way he’s carrying the WWE right now. He’s the guy. He’s just like, he’s got that swagger. So shout out to Oba Femi. It’s not Oba, it’s Oba Femi. That’s the guy right now.”

    The Ruler is set for the biggest match of his career at WrestleMania 42 next month, as he makes his debut at the PPV in a singles bout against Brock Lesnar.

  • Oba Femi Reveals Hall of Fame Inspiration for His Unique Entrance

    Oba Femi Reveals Hall of Fame Inspiration for His Unique Entrance

    Oba Femi loved the work of Bray Wyatt.

    The former NXT Champion was the most recent guest on What’s Your Story? With Steph McMahon. He talked about things such as his Nigerian roots, his long-term goals in wrestling and more.

    During the interview, The Ruler also discussed his love for the work of the late great Bray Wyatt. Oba Femi said that he specifically felt passionate about the original iteration of the Wyatt Family, featuring Luke Harper and Erick Rowan. He recalled paying tribute to the former World Champion by using one of his lines in a promo:

    “I loved Bray. I love the original Wyatt Family. I just felt so passionately about that. The NXT version and when they first got to the main roster. I remember there was one line that they hit — I actually used that line in a promo a few years ago. He said, ‘You can send anybody after us but, don’t send anyone that you want back,’ and I was like, ‘This is the greatest bar ever.’”

    It’s Catching Fire Right Now: Oba Femi

    Apart from this, Oba Femi also discussed his entrance becoming popular among fans, and his unique walk that has been dubbed as the Oba strut. He revealed that the inspiration for it comes from Ric Flair’s entrance and he’s tried to make it more modern:

    “I mean, it’s kind of a twist on Ric Flair. It’s a different one. I made it more modern. It’s more arm action, more shoulders. It’s catching fire right now. I really should start a TikTok because it’s going crazy on there.”

    Bray Wyatt, real name Windham Lawrence Rotunda, passed away back in August 2023 at the age of 36. He suffered a heart attack while asleep at his home in Brooksville, Florida.

  • Oba Femi Takes Dig At Aging WWE Main Event Roster

    Oba Femi Takes Dig At Aging WWE Main Event Roster

    Oba Femi says a lot of top WWE stars have one foot out the door.

    The Ruler recently spoke to Shak Wrestling for a new interview to promote his WrestleMania 42 match with Brock Lesnar. He talked about things such as his rapid rise in the world of pro wrestling and more.

    When asked about WWE mixing things up by introducing some young stars to their roster recently, the 27-year-old mentioned that it’s a good thing. Oba Femi noted that a lot of top WWE names are in their late 40s now, and claimed that they’re on their way out:

    “Well, it’s very good because at the end of the day, those older guys are doing their thing — they’re killing it — but at the same time, Father Time always wins. A lot of them are 44, 45, 46. They’re on their way out. They have one foot out the door. So this is the time for someone like ‘The Ruler’ to come in, take their place, and fulfil that destiny.”

    The former NXT Champion also said that he has built trust with the officials with his work on the development brand, and the top brass knows that they have something special in him.

    Oba Femi is the youngest name officially announced for a match at WrestleMania 42 at this point. Apart from him, all other male contestants scheduled to compete at the show are in their 40s.

  • Oba Femi Answers Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 Challenge

    Oba Femi Answers Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 42 Challenge

    Oba Femi Brock Lesnar WrestleMania 42

    Oba Femi answered Brock Lesnar’s open challenge for WrestleMania 42 on Monday Night Raw, setting the stage for a major match. The segment concluded with Femi powerbombing Lesnar.

    The confrontation occurred after Seth Rollins and Paul Heyman exchanged words. Oba Femi powerbombed Lesnar, then stood on his chest while pointing at the WrestleMania sign, solidifying the match.

    This match marks a huge opportunity for Oba Femi, showcasing his potential as a top superstar in WWE on the biggest stage of them all. The visual of Femi standing over Lesnar served as a definitive statement.

  • Oba Femi Ready To Face Brock Lesnar: \’Going to Happen\’

    Former NXT Champion Oba Femi has made it clear he\’s ready for a showdown with Brock Lesnar in WWE. \’The Ruler\’ acknowledged fan interest in a potential match, suggesting it may only be a matter of time. Speculation about a possible match between Femi and Lesnar began during the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble.

    The possibility of a match between Oba Femi and Brock Lesnar gained traction after Paul Heyman announced on WWE Raw that Brock Lesnar would compete at WrestleMania 42 in an open challenge.

    During that segment, the crowd chanted for Oba Femi in response to Heyman\’s challenge.

    Oba Femi Open To Facing Brock Lesnar

    Speaking with TV Insider, Femi acknowledged fan interest and expressed confidence a match with Lesnar will eventually happen. He said:

    “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.”

    Oba Femi is currently scheduled for a match against Rusev on the March 9th edition of Raw.

  • Gunther Eyes Future Showdowns With Rising Stars

    Former World Heavyweight Champion Gunther recently laid out a clear vision for his WWE future — and it\’s built around three names: Ilja Dragunov, Bron Breakker, and Oba Femi.

    Speaking on What Do You Wanna Talk About? with Cody Rhodes, the \’Ring General\’ articulated exactly where he wants to be in the company and who he wants to face once he gets there.

    \”There\’s like a Roman that was here for long and Brock that held that spot for such a long time. I feel like where I want to get to is — be able to get into that spot. But then wrestle Ilja in that position. Have great matches with Bron down the line. Have great matches with Oba. There\’s many more of them. I want to be the guy that is gonna be able to wrestle all of them, have great matches with all of them.\”

    Gunther was candid that his ambition isn\’t to be the face of the company in the same all-encompassing way as those who came before him. He sees his ideal role as something different — and he told Cody directly that he admires him for the parts of the job he knows he couldn\’t do himself.

    \”I don\’t have that in me to be wanting to be the guy that is at the very mountaintop and everybody looks up to him. I admire you sometimes for what you do because I couldn\’t, man. I wanna be at the top, but in a different role and contribute that way.\”

    The list of dream opponents isn\’t random. Gunther and Dragunov share a deep history going back to their days together in wXw, and their rivalry was cut short last year when Ilja suffered a torn ACL. Dragunov has since returned and won the United States Championship on SmackDown.

    Breakker is one of the most physically dominant young talents in WWE, while Femi has made a strong impression since moving to the main roster full-time earlier this year.

    Gunther also addressed what he sees as the fundamental truth about working at the top of the card: it takes two to make a marquee moment, and he\’s comfortable acknowledging that.

    \”The marquee says two names. John Cena\’s retirement match wasn\’t against nobody. We are relying on one another. However you do it, different or not — good luck to you and I look forward to it.\”

    With WrestleMania 42 approaching, the Road to the Grandest Stage of Them All is still taking shape — and Gunther appears eager to make the most of wherever it leads.

  • Oba Femi Confident Brock Lesnar Match Is Coming: \’He Has One More for Oba Femi\’

    Oba Femi is ready to make his dream match a reality — and he\’s not being shy about it.

    Speaking with Denise Salcedo of Instinct Culture on the red carpet at the WWE 2K26 Creator Fest at WWE Headquarters, The Ruler made clear that a collision with Brock Lesnar isn\’t just something fans want — it\’s something he fully expects to happen.

    \”It\’s highly requested right now. The demand is here. All we have to do is put it out there. Hopefully it happens — even if it\’s not this year, when it does happen, we know it\’s going to be phenomenal.\”

    Femi wasn\’t hedging. When asked about Lesnar\’s age and how much he has left, the 27-year-old brushed off any uncertainty and issued a flat guarantee:

    \”I don\’t know how much he has left in the tank, but I know he has one more for Oba Femi for sure.\”

    More Than a Dream Match: It\’s Personal

    For Femi, facing Lesnar carries weight that goes beyond the spectacle. He revealed that The Beast was a direct influence on who he became as a performer — while being careful to draw a distinction between inspiration and idolization.

    \”I grew up watching him. I wouldn\’t call him a role model of mine or anything like that, but he\’s a very big inspiration behind my character. Brock means a lot to the industry, and it is going to mean a lot to me when I get to face him.\”

    The Lesnar comparisons have followed Femi since his main roster debut, with analysts pointing to stylistic similarities between the two in how they\’ve been pushed as unstoppable forces. The prospect of them actually sharing a ring has been a fan-driven conversation for months.

    From NXT to the Main Roster Without Missing a Step

    Femi vacated the NXT Championship in January to begin his full-time main roster run, a decision he framed at Creator Fest as one that placed him in rare company.

    \”Vacating the championship is a very, very short list of people who have done that. I\’m very privileged to be one of those people.\”

    The transition itself? He made it sound routine.

    \”Transitioning to the main roster has been no problem, easy peasy. I just have to replicate the same dominance I had in NXT and I think I\’ll be fine.\”

    That dominance was already on display at Saturday Night\’s Main Event in December, where Femi went toe-to-toe with then-WWE Champion Cody Rhodes on one of the most high-profile cards in recent memory — the same night as John Cena\’s final match. Femi described the mindset it took to compete on that stage:

    \”I just had to keep telling myself that I belong — because a lot of people think they\’re still fans of the sport even though they are in the sport. Your heroes have to become your rivals one day, and that\’s exactly what happened at Saturday Night\’s Main Event.\”

    With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, Femi is exactly where he said he\’d be — and a match with Brock Lesnar may be exactly where this is all heading.

  • Oba Femi\’s 2026 WWE Push Differs From Brock Lesnar\’s 2002 Run

    It can be fun to see WWE really get behind a rising talent, and there\’s been a lot of that going around of late on the main roster. Indeed, recent months have seen Lash Legend emerge as a new titan on the women\’s side of things, while Trick Williams has gotten the star treatment on SmackDown, and Je\’Von Evans has emerged as a human highlight reel on Raw.

    Something different is happening for Oba Femi.

    While other recent call-ups have arrived to some fanfare and early successes, the man who vacated the NXT Championship to move up to the big show has garnered borderline main event treatment right out of the gate, starting with a short, but arguably star-making performance in which he got the better of Cody Rhodes on Saturday Night\’s Main Event, despite the match officially ending in a draw.

    Indeed, Femi\’s push since then has harkened back to memories of how WWE fans got introduced to Brock Lesnar when he was The Next Big Thing in 2002. The pushes aren\’t exactly the same, though.

    Oba Femi Is Getting A Push That Feels Influenced By What Worked For Brock Lesnar

    In 2026, Brock Lesnar is a WWE institution. He carries with him some real-life baggage connected to Vince McMahon\’s scandals, some fan fatigue from fourteen years of wrestling as a part-time attraction. He\’s a ten-time world champion under the WWE banner who has main evented five WrestleManias across a twenty-year span and as such, it\’s easy for fans to take him for granted nowadays.

    When Lesnar first hit the main roster, though, he arrived with the perfect push and perfect skill set to come across as a monster. Early appearances saw him arrive unannounced and positively decimate mid-carders with a combination of strength and speed rarely seen.

    Lesnar handily beat each of the Hardy Boyz individually, before besting the legendary tag team with no more impressive tag partner than Paul Heyman. All that\’s before winning King of the Ring and, a mere five months after first appearing on main roster television, beating The Rock clean for the WWE Championship at SummerSlam.

    It\’s too soon to say how closely Oba Femi\’s rookie year trajectory will resemble Lesnar\’s. Nonetheless, seeing him singlehandedly dispatch the Viking Raiders, not so dissimilar from what The Beast did to the Hardys, and seeing Femi casually decimate Kit Wilson the way Lesnar dispatched guys like Spike Dudley certainly does feel reminiscent of The Next Big Thing\’s monster push.

    Pushes That Come Before And After WrestleMania Come Across Differently

    A key difference between Brock Lesnar and Oba Femi\’s initial main roster pushes comes down to timing. When Lesnar made his debut, it came on March 18, 2002, on the Raw after WrestleMania 18. This is a traditional spot for WWE to launch new talents and angles. \’Mania unofficially marks a sort of season finale in WWE programming, with WWE taking advantage of a rabid live audience hanging around town after the biggest show of the year and more fans watching from home than usual.

    Lesnar starting his main roster run right after WrestleMania marked the start of a remarkable year that he capped with his own first \’Mania main event. Femi, on the other hand, has debuted months ahead of The Showcase of the Immortals.

    Some of the shift in timing may be reflective of the changing times. After all, Trick Williams and Je\’Von Evans have also debuted well ahead of WrestleMania, and that\’s not altogether unlike how Tiffany Stratton debuted to much fanfare months ahead of WrestleMania 40, only to fully come into focus as a top star in her division over the year to follow.

    The timing of Femi\’s emergence as a main roster force opens up different possibilities. Some have speculated he might get a real rocket strapped to him—inserted in the WWE Championship picture for WrestleMania, and even leaving the show with the title. Otherwise, it stands to reason he will have a featured role when WWE returns to Allegiant Stadium in April.

    Is Oba Femi Vs. Brock Lesnar On Its Way?

    If Oba Femi doesn\’t go straight to the world title picture for WrestleMania, it doesn\’t mean he won\’t find himself in that kind of role in time for SummerSlam or Survivor Series. If WWE does hold back that little bit, it stands to reason The Ruler will nonetheless work a high-profile spot at \’Mania.

    Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar has a nice ring to it, as fans enjoy a clash of the titans, not to mention that the talents involved stand to deliver a solid match, especially if The Beast feels motivated to do business. WWE previewed this low-key dream match at the Royal Rumble, where Femi\’s dominant run to start the match resembled Lesnar\’s 2020 performance, only for Lesnar himself to eliminate the young upstart. WWE can use that foundation to build a proper \’Mania program; one which Femi would all but have to win.

    Indeed, the most compelling reason not to run Femi vs. Lesnar may well be that Gunther vs. Lesnar is the longer speculated, arguably even more attractive match to build. That comes with the complicating factors that Gunther\’s recent booking and Lesnar\’s position in the twilight of his career would invite The Beast\’s retirement angle, meaning WWE wouldn\’t be able to come back to Femi vs. Lesnar. On the flip side, if Femi were to beat Lesnar at WrestleMania, that might take some of the luster off a prospective Gunther-Lesnar showdown for later in the year.

    The bottom line surrounding Oba Femi is that he is a true blue-chip prospect for WWE—a guy whose look, athletic ability, power, and demonstrated ability to deliver in the ring all spell main event. Combine that with him being twenty-seven in a main event picture crowded with guys in their forties. Femi has every chance to represent the future of the company or, in Brock Lesnar parlance, The Next Big Thing.

  • Oba Femi Dismisses Doubters: \”Is the Chamber Ready for Me?\”

    Former NXT Champion Oba Femi recently flipped the script on doubters questioning his readiness for WWE\’s biggest stages. During the No-Contest Wrestling Podcast, \’The Ruler\’ said the real question is whether the Elimination Chamber or any opponent is ready for him.

    \”A lot of people\’s question is, is Oba ready for the next big thing, the next big stage? Is he ready for the chamber? But the real question is, is the chamber ready for Oba Femi? Because a lot of times it\’s not just that we\’re looking for a spot for Oba, where to plug him in. The truth is like not everybody wants to be plugged in, not everybody [wants to face him] because the boys know what that entails. So wherever I can fit, I will dominate. I will execute and it will be great.\”

    Oba Femi\’s Dominant Main Roster Debut

    Femi addressed his destructive Raw debut against The War Raiders and highlighted that his dominance was not a knock on the veteran tag team. He said:

    \”I think the main roster crowd has not, the audience has not fully understood the concept that it\’s Oba. Like they don\’t get, I don\’t think they understand yet. They will, they\’ll catch on. They\’re starting to. Oba destroying the War Raiders is not a knock on the War Raiders. That\’s just how good Oba Femi is. Come on now. And the sooner they realize that, the sooner they understand that, the easier things will be for them.\”

    Femi put the main roster on notice with his performance on the post-Royal Rumble edition of Raw when he demolished Erik and Ivar, continuing his run as WWE\’s hottest free agent. With momentum building and confidence sky-high, Oba Femi would be aiming to make a mark at the Elimination Chamber.