Oba Femi: The Rising Star of WWE NXT and the 'NCAA of Wrestling'

Oba Femi, the current NXT North American Champion, has been making waves in the WWE universe with his impressive career trajectory and insightful views on the wrestling industry. Recently, Femi likened WWE's NXT to the NCAA of wrestling, highlighting its role in nurturing future talent.

NXT as the 'NCAA of Wrestling'

Femi emphasized that NXT provides fans with a unique opportunity to see the future generation of wrestlers before they reach their peak. He stated, 'NXT is the NCAA of wrestling. NXT gives you the opportunity to see what the future generation is right now before they become what theyre going to be.' This analogy underscores the developmental nature of NXT, where young and aspiring wrestlers hone their skills and prepare for the main stage.

Shawn Michaels on NXT's Exciting Talent

WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative, Shawn Michaels, also praised the brand, noting the excitement and diversity brought by its youthful talent. Michaels said, 'What youre going to see is the best that I think WWE has to offer. Its young, its diverse, its different, its exciting. These young, passionate, excited talent, anything can happen on live television, and thats what were selling.' This enthusiasm reflects the dynamic and unpredictable nature of NXT.

Oba Femi's Background and Achievements

Oba Femi, whose real name is Isaac Odugbesan, has a storied background in track and field. Before joining WWE, he was a shot put champion at the University of Alabama, winning titles at the SEC Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Femi signed with WWE in 2021 as part of the Next In Line program, which aims to develop college athletes into professional wrestlers. He made his in-ring debut on NXT Level Up in November 2022 and has since become the youngest NXT North American Champion in history, winning the title after emerging victorious in the 2023 Men's NXT Breakout Tournament.

Femi's transition from track and field to professional wrestling has been marked by his disciplined approach, which he attributes to his athletic background. He highlighted the importance of repetition and drills, similar to his training in track and field, in mastering the skills required for professional wrestling.

Upcoming Challenges

As the current NXT North American Champion, Femi is set to defend his title against Tony D'Angelo on the October 8th episode of NXT. This match promises to be an exciting showdown, given Femi's dominant performance and the competitive spirit of his opponent.