Tommy Dreamer on Oba Femi’s NXT Title Loss: ‘Too Soon’ for Main Roster Call-Up Despite Main Event Stardom
Oba Femi’s iron grip on the NXT Championship ended in brutal fashion at No Mercy, but the Nigerian powerhouse’s next chapter has wrestling vets like Tommy Dreamer pumping the brakes on a fast track to the big leagues. As fans buzz about Femi’s Raw or SmackDown potential, Dreamer argues the 27-year-old needs more seasoning before stepping into the spotlight.
Tommy Dreamer Oba Femi main roster call-up headlines WWE chatter in 2025, with NXT No Mercy fallout, Ricky Saints title win, Oba Femi future plans, and WWE developmental promotions trending from Stamford boardrooms to indie rings. Femi’s 263-day reign cements him as NXT’s dominant force, but in a landscape hungry for fresh heels, his ascent demands careful plotting to avoid the pitfalls that have sidelined other prospects.
No Mercy Shocker: Ricky Saints Dethrones ‘The Ruler’
Ricky Saints stunned the NXT Universe on October 3 at No Mercy, toppling Oba Femi in a grueling main event to claim the NXT Championship—his first gold in WWE’s developmental brand. Femi’s 263-day reign, the third-longest in NXT history, featured dominant defenses against Trick Williams, Joe Hendry, and a TNA crossover clash that blurred brand lines.
Saints, a 25-year-old rising star with a technical edge and high-flying flair, capitalized on Femi’s rare off-night, pinning “The Ruler” after a signature Saints’ Symphony sequence. Post-match, Femi extended a handshake in respect, signaling a potential mentor-rival dynamic down the line. But whispers of a main roster leap intensified, with Meltzer reporting WWE’s intent to keep Femi in NXT for now to build his mic skills and storyline layers.
Femi, a former college basketball standout at the University of Texas, debuted in NXT in 2022 as a raw athlete. By 2025, he’d transformed into a 6’6″, 260-pound juggernaut, blending powerbombs with eloquent promos that echo early Brock Lesnar with a global flair.
Dreamer’s Verdict: ‘Too Soon’—Focus on NXT Evolution
On the latest Busted Open Radio, ECW icon Tommy Dreamer dissected Femi’s trajectory, praising his physicality and presence but urging patience. “Oba’s got it all—the size, the moves, the mic work. But it’s too soon for the main roster,” Dreamer said. “He needs to chase that title back, build those feuds, and become undeniable. Rushing him up now would waste his potential.”
Dreamer, a WWE Hall of Famer with decades booking talent, drew parallels to his ECW days: “We built monsters like Raven and Sandman by letting them simmer. Femi’s the same—give him a redemption arc in NXT, maybe a stable or a betrayal angle, and he’ll explode upstairs.”
This echoes Dreamer’s September pitch for a Royal Rumble 2026 debut, where he envisioned Femi as a dominant entrant and No. 1 draft pick. Back then, as champion, Femi was “poised” for elevation; now, post-loss, Dreamer sees it as fuel for growth. “A heel turn could make him a bigger force,” he added, hinting at Femi joining Paul Heyman’s “The Vision” faction as a fourth muscle—though that risks overshadowing him behind Seth Rollins and company.
Dreamer isn’t alone. On X, Wrestling Inc. amplified his take, sparking 500+ views and debates: Fans split between “Call him up NOW—pair with Gunther!” and “NXT needs him to elevate Saints.” Pundits like 411Mania’s writers nod to Dreamer’s wisdom, stressing the “WWE system” shock—bigger bodies, tighter segments—that green talents must master.
Femi’s Own Vision: Redefining Big Men on the Grand Stage
Femi hasn’t shied from main roster dreams. In a January eWrestlingNews sit-down, he named Gunther, John Cena, and Randy Orton as fantasy foes, vowing to “redefine how WWE views big men.” “NXT’s my obligation now—I’m carrying the brand,” he said, echoing Dreamer’s call to stay put. Yet, his crossover with TNA’s Trick Williams in a title-vs.-title bout showed main-roster polish, drawing 1.2 million NXT viewers.
At 27, Femi’s timeline aligns with WWE’s post-Triple H blueprint: Develop in NXT for 18-24 months before promotion, avoiding the Ilja Dragunov quick-burn that fizzled. His athleticism—dunking on foes mid-match—sets him apart from lumbering giants, but Dreamer warns: “Mic time’s key. Let him cut promos that shake arenas.”
Fan and Industry Buzz: Heel Potential and Stable Fits
Social media erupts with Femi fervor. X threads post-No Mercy hype a “Ruler Returns” feud with Saints, while Reddit’s r/SquaredCircle polls 70% for a 2026 call-up. Dreamer’s Heyman stable idea gains traction—imagine Femi as the enforcer, squashing midcarders to build heat.
Experts like PWMania’s analysts back Dreamer’s timeline, citing Femi’s Royal Rumble entry as a “statement splash” to test waters without full commitment. But risks loom: A botched push could echo Big E’s injury-plagued jump.
Impacts on WWE Fans: From NXT Loyalty to Main Event Dreams
For U.S. wrestling diehards, Femi’s arc hits home—NXT’s “black and gold” revival draws 20% more live crowds in 2025, per WWE metrics, blending indie grit with polished spectacle. Economically, his merch spikes 40% post-reign, fueling a $1.2 billion WWE machine that employs 800+ in creative.
Lifestyle perks? Tailgates buzz with Femi chants, inspiring gym sessions for couch potatoes eyeing that powerlifter build. Politically neutral, but his immigrant success story resonates in diverse markets like Atlanta and Houston.
Tech ties: WWE’s Peacock streams log 15% NXT upticks, with AR filters letting fans “Ruler Slam” selfies. Sports crossovers? Femi’s hoops background teases NBA cameos, like LeBron’s WrestleMania nod.
In summary, Tommy Dreamer’s take on Oba Femi’s post-No Mercy path—”too soon” for the main roster—charts a deliberate climb, honing “The Ruler” into an unstoppable force by Royal Rumble 2026. With WWE eyeing sustained NXT dominance, expect redemption arcs and mic mastery ahead, priming Femi for a splash that redefines big-man booking and electrifies arenas nationwide.
By Sam Michael
October 04, 2025
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