Oba Femi on What He’ll Miss the Most About NXT, Destroying War Raiders on RAW & More

Former NXT Champion Oba Femi recently appeared on the No-Contest Wrestling Podcast, where he touched upon several topics, including his transition from the developmental brand to the main roster and more.

The Ruler bid adieu to the developmental brand at last month’s New Year’s Evil television special after retaining the NXT Championship against TNA’s Leon Slater. He left the championship belt in the ring and has since showcased his dominance on the main roster.

During the conversation, Femi was asked about one thing he’ll miss the most about NXT. The Ruler said that he’ll miss the “good-intentioned” people at the Performance Center, highlighting how the backstage culture there has changed in recent years.

Following a dominant showing in the Men’s Royal Rumble, where he spent close to 40 minutes and eliminated five participants, Oba Femi destroyed The War Raiders on Monday Night RAW. Femi said that it was fitting that his mentor, Ivar, was a part of that segment. He also acknowledged Ivar’s role in his career. The Nigerian Giant also commented on whether he is currently a babyface or a heel.

Below are the highlights:

Oba Femi on what’s one thing that he’ll miss the most about NXT

“The people. Wrestling has changed. It used to be very, very, very dog-eat-dog, but thankfully, there has been more and more good-willed, good-intentioned people come through and, you know, change the culture of the PC. So it’s not what it used to be five years ago; even three years ago when I got there, it was very different from what it is now. It’s transformed into a true camaraderie where everyone is trying to make the show better. Like, actively looking to improve the product, and not just looking out for themselves. So I will miss the people.”

On squashing The War Raiders on RAW

“It was just that more special that it was him [Ivar], you know? He’s poured in so much into me as a person and me as a character. My body of work is his; his fingerprints are all over my stuff. So, you know, I’m just happy he was part of that moment even though he was at the bottom end of that moment. But that’s the kind of person he is; he knows the business. He knows what it’s about, and he ate some big bombs that day. Kudos to him; he’s still up and alive. You take something huge from The Ruler; it’s not easy to get back up. I do appreciate Ivar as a mentor, as a teacher, as an opponent, and as a human being.”

On a section of fans unhappy with him destroying The War Raiders

“I think the main roster audience has not fully understood the concept that it’s Oba Femi. I don’t think they understand yet. They will. They’ll catch on. Oba Femi destroying The War Raiders is not a knock on The War Raiders. That’s how good Oba Femi is. And the sooner they realize that, the sooner they understand that, the easier things will be for them.”

Is Oba Femi a babyface or a heel?

“I’m just Oba. And that’s how you know when you’ve got into that juicy character moment because people, you know [say], ‘You’re a bad guy; you’re a good guy!’ No, I’m trying to transcend that now. Like, I think wrestling is finally getting to a place where it’s not good guy, bad guy, it’s human being. You want to have relatable human beings that people can connect with, you know, attach to. Very few people have been able to get that kind of reaction. Undertaker, Steve Austin, The Rock, it just gets to a point where you’re just such a good character that people are like, ‘Well, you did that bad thing,’ ‘Oh, we love him, he did that good thing,’ ‘Oh, we love him!’ So that’s a great place to be, and I’m happy that the Oba Femi character is there right now.”

Check out his comments below:

Elsewhere in the interview, Oba Femi talked about his face-off with Brock Lesnar during the Men’s Royal Rumble. You can check out his comments HERE.

Please credit the No-Contest Wrestling Podcast and give an H/T to 411Mania for the transcription if you take quotes from this copy.