Three potential directions for Oba Femi on WWE's main roster
(Courtesy : WWE via Getty)
The NXT Champion defended the title last night.
NXT Champion, ‘The Ruler’ Oba Femi, defeated TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater to retain the title last night at the NXT New Year’s Evil, which took place on January 6, 2026, from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
After winning the title, Femi left it in the ring, fueling rumors of his main roster call-up, especially with the ongoing vignettes on Raw and SmackDown in recent weeks.
Fans have long speculated about his promotion to the main roster, and recent call-ups have only fueled these rumors, which reached their peak after Femi left the title in the ring. With that in mind, here are three potential directions for the NXT Champion on WWE’s main roster.
3. Finish the story
Femi took on the Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes in a singles match at the December 2025 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, which featured John Cena’s retirement match.
In an event that showcased NXT talents taking on main-roster stars, Femi outshone everyone, manhandling the World Champion and executing incredible control for the majority of the match. However, the match ended chaotically when Drew McIntyre attacked Rhodes, leading to a disqualification. Femi can reignite the storyline, challenging Rhodes to a rematch upon his main-roster debut.
Also Read: Top five key storylines WWE must book in 2026
2. Size up the Tribal Thief
Whenever two of the biggest powerhouses step into the squared circle, the collision is more than inevitable; it’s explosive. This will be the case if Femi decides to size up the ‘Tribal Thief’ Bronson Reed, who, similar to Femi, is a dominant force, very difficult to face.
A potential feud with Reed would not only deliver some bone-crushing moments but would also establish Femi on WWE‘s main roster.
1. Challenge the Best in the World
One of the best ways to put the entire division on notice and announce a wrestler’s arrival is by sizing up the World Champion. If the promotion decides to assign Femi to the Monday Night Raw brand, especially considering that two recent NXT call-ups went to SmackDown, while Raw has only received Jevin Evans, he could make an immediate impact.
The Ruler could size up the World Heavyweight Champion CM Punk and challenge him for a showdown, potentially at the upcoming edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event. This would mark his second clash with a current World Champion, giving him a chance to cement his place among WWE’s top stars.
Did Oba Femi retain the NXT title at New Year’s Evil?
Yes, Femi defeated TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater to retain the title last night at the NXT New Year’s Evil.
Why did Oba Femi leave the NXT title in the ring after the win?
While the reason is unclear, many fans are speculating a main-roster call-up as the potential reason.
Which NXT talents have been called up to the main roster?
Je’Von Evans, Jordynne Grace, and Trick Williams are three recent call-up fron NXT.
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Abhijit Singh is a budding sports journalist with over three years of experience in the field, and a photographer capturing stories through his lens since 2018. With a background in philosophy and political science, he brings a thoughtful, analytical edge to his reporting where every word is guided by curiosity and intent. Whether he's capturing the emotion of a moment or unpacking the deeper narratives within the game, Abhijit’s work is rooted in insight and passion. When he’s not covering sports, he’s often exploring new ideas through reading, traveling or just procrastinating.