Oba Femi Officially Vacates NXT Championship – WWE has officially confirmed that Oba Femi has vacated the NXT Championship following the closing moments of the New Year’s Evil edition of NXT. Femi left the title in the ring after successfully defending it against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater, a move that visibly shocked NXT General Manager Ava during a backstage segment later in the show. Earlier in the day, Femi had hinted on social media that his time as champion, and potentially his run in NXT, had come to an end.
WWE issued the official announcement Tuesday afternoon, stating that Femi had vacated the NXT Championship and instructing fans to stay tuned for further details. As of this writing, no additional information has been released regarding the future of the title, including whether a tournament or multi-man match will be held to crown a new champion. The final shot of NXT reinforced the uncertainty, as cameras returned to the championship belt lying in the ring while Tony D’Angelo, who returned to the brand at Deadline, was shown watching from the crowd.
Femi was in the midst of his second reign as NXT Champion, having regained the title from Ricky Saints at Deadline. Following that victory, Femi went on to challenge Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes at Saturday Night’s Main Event, a show that also featured John Cena’s final match. Femi’s opportunity was cut short when Drew McIntyre interfered, preventing a decisive outcome. Despite that setback, Femi’s performance further fueled discussion about his future beyond NXT.
In recent weeks, speculation surrounding a main roster call-up has increased. Promotional vignettes spotlighting Femi have aired on both WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown, suggesting plans are already in motion.
Femi originally captured the NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil in 2025. He signed with WWE in December 2021 through the Next in Line program and made his official NXT debut in April 2023. His decision to vacate the title marks a significant shift for both Femi and the NXT brand moving forward.
Oba Femi Officially Vacates NXT Championship
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