Oba Femi loses NXT title; future on main roster unclear

Oba Femi’s dominant 263 day run as NXT Champion ended at NXT No Mercy last weekend when Ricky Saints defeated him in the event’s main event, but the former champion’s immediate future remains contested between calls for a main roster move and plans to keep him in NXT. The match concluded when Saints reversed Femi’s second Fall From Grace attempt into a DDT, followed by another DDT for the pin, ending Femi’s lengthy reign that began in January when he cashed in his Breakout Tournament contract on Dragon Lee.

WWE Hall of Famer Booker T, speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, praised both wrestlers for the main event and said Femi handled the title loss with the poise of a veteran. Booker highlighted Femi’s growth since joining the company and argued he is ready for the main roster now. “Let’s just say this, I think Oba can run with the big dogs. He can do it right now. Do I think he’s ready? Yes I do,” Booker said, adding that true performers make their losses look as strong as their wins. Booker also commended Ricky Saints for the victory and called the match impressive on both sides.

Despite the endorsements and fan speculation that the title change signals a transfer to Raw or...