Oba Femi stunned fans by defeating Leon Slater to successfully defend the NXT Championship at WWE NXT New Year’s Evil 2026. Following his win, “The Ruler” placed his NXT title in the center of the ring, signaling that he might soon give up the championship, as speculation about his promotion to WWE’s main roster has been building.
Femi is expected to join either Raw or SmackDown, where he will face important decisions about the direction of his career. Here are six possible paths for Oba Femi as he prepares to make his main roster debut.
One option is to answer Carmelo Hayes’ open challenge for the WWE United States Championship. On the January 2nd episode of Friday Night SmackDown, Carmelo Hayes successfully defended his US title against Johnny Gargano. Before this match, Hayes confirmed to former champion Ilya Dragunov that he would continue his open challenge for the title.
With the US Title Open Challenge ongoing, a fierce competitor like Oba Femi could be the perfect contender to step forward. Known for his imposing size, strength, and fiery aggression, “The Ruler” has the potential to defeat Hayes and claim the United States Championship in his first official SmackDown match.
Fan Take: This development marks a thrilling new chapter for WWE, as Oba Femi’s rise from NXT to the main roster promises fresh rivalries and high-impact matches. His possible challenge for the US Championship could inject new excitement into WWE storylines, offering fans a compelling reason to tune in.
