Oba Femi thinks he sucks.
Sounds harsh, but that’s just how he approaches his work. He doesn’t buy into any of his stock.
“I never want to think I’m bigger than I am. I always want to believe I suck,” Femi told USA TODAY Sports. “I think you have to be your greatest critic. You have to tell yourself you suck all the time.”
For as negative as it sounds, Femi admits you should give yourself some flowers once in a while. Even if he barely does, there are plenty around the WWE world that are throwing full-on bouquets at him.
There probably is no young talent in WWE with more superstar potential than Femi. The former college athlete debuted in November 2022 and has skyrocketed to the top of NXT, becoming a dominant force in a way rarely seen. He is in his second reign as NXT Champion and just had his first main roster match, against Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes no less.
In the biggest match of his young career, Femi shined, even though the match ended in a no contest. Even better, the crowd was fully invested into Femi, proving that it won’t be long before “The Ruler” of NXT becomes “The Ruler” of WWE.
How Oba Femi rose in WWE
Real name Isaac Odugbesan, Femi is from Lagos, Nigeria, where he said the groundwork was framed for the success he has today. He recalled the long days of school and having to work for everything instilled lifelong values and habits.
“Coming up in a third-world country is definitely difficult,” he said. “The work ethic is just different.”
While going through the “utmost grind” back home, Femi became a star in the shot put at the University of Lagos. Through a coach connection, he got a spot to move to the United States to compete at Middle Tennessee State in 2017. After a season there, he transferred to Alabama, where he won back-to-back SEC indoor shot put titles in 2021 and 2022.
Before graduating, Femi was part of WWE’s inaugural “Next In Line” class that gave a path for college stars to transition to wrestling. It’s become a popular avenue for the company to find its next crop of talent with now several people coming from non-traditional wrestling backgrounds.
It can be tough to adjust to wrestling – both physically and psychology – and not everyone pans out. Yet Femi said his roots and college athlete background helped him find a way to thrive.
“You have to be coachable and teachable, because that’s one of the biggest determining factors to success in the athletic world. You can be as talented as you want all day, but talent is only going to get you so far,” Femi said. “We need to let go of all those old habits that have worked for you in the past, for us to reach greater heights.”
So far, Femi keeps reaching those heights. He became the longest-reigning NXT North American Championship in 2024 and has had a bigger 2025, becoming the NXT Champion in January. After losing the title to Ricky Saints in September, he reclaimed it on Dec. 6.
His rise to the top of WWE’s developmental brand is a result of Femi having every tool needed to succeed. Billed at 6-foot-6-inch and 310 pounds, he possesses great power, the ability to throw anyone around like they’re a shot put ball. He’s not just strong, able to move swiftly in matches.
Then there’s the charisma. His promos are impactful, wording them with incredible precision to make you feel the intensity, passion and confidence in his voice.
You also can’t forget the entrance. At a time where most WWE fans aren’t thrilled with talent music, Femi is already in the upper echelon of entrances. The drums, the crowd chanting “ooh” and his dominant silhouette staring down the ring ooze aura. It’s all capped off with his signature strut down the ramp.
“I feel like Oba Femi is an experience at this point,” he said. “You get to feel everything the character feels.”
Femi is destined for stardom, and with that comes a passionate fan group. The name? The Oba Feminists, which he is very aware of. He believes it’s cool to be a meme because it adds a bit of light-heartedness to a character that is so serious.
“Just know for the feminist out there, Oba Femi loves it,” he added.
‘He is a star’
The entire WWE universe got to see the Oba Feminist movement in full force at Saturday Night’s Main Event on Dec. 13. After delivering a great promo the night before, he and Rhodes opened the show and Femi displayed all the power and finesse that makes him a guy with unlimited potential.
Even though there wasn’t a result due to interference by Drew McIntyre, it’s not crazy to say Femi won and officially put everyone on notice.
“He is a star,” WWE chief content officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque said in the event postshow. “He is a bona fide, charismatic X-factor-having star that will be on top of this business when he gets there, and will stay there for a long time.
“I don’t know how anybody stops this kid. I really don’t.”
The opportunity came thanks to John Cena, who wanted to showcase the up-and-coming talent on the show dedicated to the final match of his career. Femi called it a huge favor for Cena to give him and other NXT talent a chance to shine on the biggest stage of their young careers.
Now with a bigger audience witnessing the rise of Femi, he wants the rest of the world to know there’s a new crop of NXT talent ready to challenge the older veterans holding it down on the main roster.
And he’s accepting the responsibility to lead the charge.
Femi talks a lot about destiny, and that may have been what happened at Saturday Night’s Main Event. As WWE’s greatest star of all-time closed his career, another made a statement to put themselves on the same trajectory.
“It’s symbolic that John’s final is my beginning,” Femi said.