Nigerian professional wrestler Oba Femi delivered a sensational performance at WrestleMania 42, defeating 10-time champion Brock Lesnar in under five minutes during his debut appearance on Sunday.
The highly anticipated bout, one of the headline attractions of the night, ended dramatically as the 27-year-old overpowered the veteran in a result that quickly became one of the event’s biggest talking points. In a symbolic gesture after the match, Lesnar left his wrestling gear in the ring—an act widely interpreted in professional wrestling as a sign of retirement.
Femi, nicknamed “The Ruler,” showed composure early in the match as both competitors tested each other’s strength. Lesnar briefly gained the upper hand with a series of powerful moves, but the Nigerian wrestler absorbed the pressure and shifted momentum with a dominant comeback.
The turning point came after Lesnar executed his signature F5. Femi, however, recovered swiftly, delivering a chokeslam before sealing victory with his “Fall From Grace” sit-out powerbomb for the pinfall.
Born Isaac Odugbesan in Lagos, Femi has enjoyed a rapid rise within WWE, spending only three months on the company’s main roster. Prior to his global breakthrough, he built a strong reputation in WWE NXT, where he became a two-time champion and also held the NXT North American title.
A former shot put athlete, Femi joined WWE in 2021 through its NIL programme. He went on to win the 2023 NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament and the 2024 Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge, cementing his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
His victory over Lesnar has sparked widespread excitement among fans, particularly in Nigeria, where many see his triumph as a source of national pride and a sign of greater achievements ahead.
The generational gap between both wrestlers added intrigue to the clash, with Femi born in 1998—just four years before Lesnar made his WWE debut.
Following the match, Femi further energized the crowd during the WrestleMania post-show by calling out Roman Reigns, popularly known as the “Original Tribal Chief,” hinting at a potential title challenge later this year.
