\n<\/p>\n
It didn\u2019t take long for Oba Femi to make a big splash after transitioning from WWE\u2019s<\/a> developmental <\/span>NXT<\/span><\/i><\/a> brand to the bright lights of <\/span>Raw<\/span><\/i><\/a> and <\/span>SmackDown<\/span><\/i><\/a>. The imposing Nigerian heavyweight let his presence known right out of the gate by eliminating Bron Breakker<\/a>, Solo Sikoa<\/a>, Rey Mysterio<\/a>, and Matt Cardona<\/a> in January\u2019s Royal Rumble<\/a>. He followed up the solid performance with a series of dominant victories over unsuspecting victims like Kit Wilson, The Miz<\/a>, and Johnny Gargano<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Femi already made a lasting impression in a strong outing in December against Cody Rhodes<\/a> at Saturday Night\u2019s Main Event<\/a>, <\/em>the same card as John Cena\u2019s<\/a> in-ring curtain call.\u00a0 There is a reason this powerhouse went on to vacate the NXT Championship at <\/span>New Year\u2019s Evil<\/span><\/i> rather than it be taken from him. Now in the middle of <\/span>WrestleMania <\/span><\/i><\/a>season, it\u2019s clear WWE has intentions to shine the spotlight on him. His next big test comes during the March 9 episode of <\/span>Raw<\/span><\/i> where he battles Rusev<\/a>\u00a0the \u201cBulgarian Brute.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Here Femi opens up about his meteoric rise and why a money match against Brock Lesnar needs to happen.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n WWE<\/p>\n<\/div>\n What has it been like being on the main roster compared to NXT?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Oba Femi: <\/b>There is a lot more traveling on the main roster. A way bigger audience and platform. I\u2019m glad that everything I was able to do over at NXT happened. I was able to translate to the main roster effortlessly, seamlessly. The crowd has been behind me. They know my schtick. They know what I do. The ruler is here to stay on the main roster.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Is there anyone who has helped ease you into the locker room and life on the road?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Nobody in particular on the road. I always have my mentors I go to like my Ivar\u2019s and my Coach [Matt] Bloom\u2019s, so they have always been there for me. Nobody on the road though.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n You had a prominent spot at the Rumble. How do you deal with the pressure of being billed by WWE as this unstoppable monster?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n It\u2019s nothing I haven\u2019t done before. I did that my whole NXT run. I\u2019m doing that now. I\u2019m good at dealing with pressure. That\u2019s why I\u2019m here. At least that\u2019s why I think that\u2019s why I\u2019m here. Nothing changes. The same thing that brought me to the dance is the same thing I\u2019m doing here.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n There are a lot of comparisons between you and Brock Lesnar. What do you make of that?<\/b><\/p>\n What a run for him. He had two separate runs, and they\u2019ve both been fantastic. It would be really cool to face him. I know the fans have been asking for that match. It\u2019s going to happen one day soon. What a run he has had the UFC champion, multiple time WWE champion, Royal Rumble winner, dominance. What a way to cap it off by facing \u201cThe Ruler.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n WWE <\/b>Raw<\/i><\/b>, Mondays, 8\/7c, Netflix\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n WWE <\/b>NXT<\/i><\/b>, Wednesdays, 8\/7c, The CW<\/b><\/p>\n WWE <\/b>SmackDown<\/i><\/b>, Fridays, 8\/7c, USA Network\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n