
Oba Femi started 2025 as the NXT Champion and has now praised multiple WWE names, including Ivar for their support in his career.
At the January 7, 2025, NXT New Year’s Evil, Femi defeated Trick Williams to claim the NXT Championship in a Triple Threat match that featured Eddy Thorpe, as can be seen in highlights below this news story.
With Femi now the holder of his second NXT championship, he spoke about who he’s had the most influence on him during an appearance of The Masked Man Show, saying:
“Rubbed off on me the most, I would say coach (Matt) Bloom because he’s the most direct access that I have. He is also a fellow big man and worked the big man style, so he’s passed on so much knowledge in that field.
“I’ve worked with Ivar a lot. I had the privilege of wrestling Ivar also, which is one of my better matches. Ivar comes around and gets in the ring with us. We helped him get ready for his return since he was out for some months.
“Of course, Shawn (Michaels), the big boss. Those are the ones who have played a part in my development.”
He would go on to discuss the impact of The War Raiders member in further detail, explaining:
“Ivar is phenomenal. He’s a great teacher. Him not working big man, doesn’t mean he’s never worked big man. As we know, Ivar is a big man. His current appeal is that he is a big man with athleticism.
“In the past, in his 20 years in wrestling, he’s definitely worked big man. Even though he might not have worked it as much, his infinite knowledge is enough to teach us younger guys. He is great. He comes in, gets in the ring with us, coaches us and watches us wrestle.
“There are certain ways a big man would sell and moves a big man wouldn’t do. A big man doesn’t arm drag anyone. No big man is doing a hurricanrana. Just reinforcing those good big man habits to sell strong and stay on your feet. It’s a lot of work. Sometimes, when you take certain moves, you have to come right back up because that is the style. No matter how winded you are, you have to get up, that’s the big man way.
“Ivar has so much knowledge and experience. I am lucky to be under his learning tree.”
On April 30, 2024, Femi beat Ivar to retain the NXT North American Championship in the second week of NXT Spring Breakin’.
He won that first championship at the January 9 2024 episode of NXT, defeating Dragon Lee after cashing in his Breakout Tournament Contract.
Lee had defeated Lexis King moments earlier to retain the NXT North American Championship.
Femi was the first graduate of the WWE NIL (Next In Line) program to win a WWE championship.
Transcript from Fightful.
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