Oba Femi: Nigeria-born wrestler raising the bar in WWE

Isaac Odugbesan, better known to WWE fans as Oba Femi, is a Nigeria-born professional wrestler currently signed to WWE’s NXT brand. A former shot put champion at the University of Alabama in the United States of America, Oba Femi has quickly risen through the ranks in the wrestling world, capturing the NXT North American Championship and becoming the new WWE NXT champion.

Shot Put Success

Oba Femi’s journey to stardom began with his impressive athleticism. He excelled in high school sports, earning a student-athlete scholarship to Middle Tennessee State University. He later transferred to the University of Alabama, where he dominated the shot-put competition. The 26-year-old former shot putter clinched the SEC Indoor Track and Field Championships title in 2021 and 2022 and added the outdoor title to his accolades in 2022 before graduating.

Breaking into WWE

Oba Femi’s transition into wrestling was marked by his declaration of intent during a post-fight interview, where he emphasised his focus on bringing “brute force” to NXT. Oba Femi won the NXT title in a triple-threat match with former champion Trick Williams and another contender during the New Year‘s Evil tournament on January 7, 2025.

He boldly stated:

“NXT is lacking in one department severely. And that is the department of brute force… That is exactly what Oba Femi has to offer. That is exactly what I am bringing to the Men’s Breakout Tournament.”

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NXT Domination

On January 2, 2024, Femi defeated Riley Osborne to win the NXT Breakout Tournament 2023. A week later, he cashed in his Breakout Tournament contract, defeating Dragon Lee to claim the NXT North American Championship. This victory made him the first graduate of WWE’s Next In Line program to win a WWE title.

Family Background

Oba Femi’s parents, Maria Belleh Odugbesan and Niyi Odugbesan are both Nigerian. Maria, a successful businesswoman in the restaurant and hospitality industry, is a prominent figure on social media. Niyi, however, prefers to maintain a private life and is not active on social media.

A Rising Star

Oba Femi’s remarkable journey from shot put champion to WWE NXT Champion illustrates his relentless determination and adaptability. With his eyes set on future milestones, he continues to make Nigeria proud on the global stage.

Viewed as Future WWE Champion

Having quickly captured the attention of NXT fans, Oba Femi is also making waves behind the scenes in WWE’s developmental brand.

According to Fightful Select, NXT officials have been highly impressed with Femi since his meteoric rise as the NXT North American Champion at the start of the year. The powerhouse’s impressive performances have sparked discussions about his potential to become a future WWE Champion.

Notable Nigerian-born WWE Superstars

Oba Femi joins Tolulope “Jordan” Omogbehin (under the ring name Omos) as a prominent Nigerian athlete making a significant impact in the WWE industry.

Together, they solidify the growing influence of Nigerian athletes in WWE, showcasing their talents to a worldwide audience.

Oba Femi continues to make history, setting his sights on new milestones and cementing his legacy as one of Nigeria’s most celebrated athletes in the WWE universe.

WWE’s Record Revenue

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), a global leader in professional wrestling, continues to dominate the industry, raking in an impressive $1.326 billion in revenue in 2023.

WWE recently inked a historic deal with Netflix. Starting in January 2025, Netflix will become the exclusive streaming platform for Monday Night RAW, along with WWE’s Premium Live Events and specials. The ground-breaking 10-year contract, valued at $5 billion, underscores WWE’s commitment to reaching a wider audience and cementing its place in the digital era.