The Bringer of War Is Here: 5 Potential WWE Rivals for Oba Femi

After successfully defending the NXT Championship against Leon Slater at New Year’s Evil, Femi left the title belt in the center of the ring before exiting. WWE announced the following day that Femi had vacated the championship. 

All indicators, including WWE’s cryptic teaser videos airing over the past several weeks, suggest that Femi’s arrival on the main roster is imminent. With the stage set for a massive push, it’s time to look at five superstars “The Bringer of War” should collide with upon his inevitable call-up.

1. Dominik Mysterio 

Dominik Mysterio, the current Intercontinental Champion, is an intriguing first option for Oba Femi should he make his way to Raw, as all indicators are pointing towards. As the heel everyone loves to hate, having Mysterio try to use his “dirty” tactics to evade the powerhouse Femi would be highly entertaining. 

Having Femi feud with Mysterio would be popular if WWE wants to start his main roster time the same way it ended in NXT, by displaying sheer dominance. Femi chasing Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship and eventually winning it would be a definite pop for the newcomer. Taking the title from someone as established as Dirty Dom would instantly elevate Femi.  

By having Oba Femi competing against a proven, high-profile star such as Dominik Mysterio, it would ensure his debut isn’t wasted on squash matches against lower-tier talent. 

Pushing younger stars like Mysterio and Femi, at 28 and 27 years old, respectively, is a promising sign for WWE’s future. By elevating these younger athletes now, the company is effectively future-proofing its roster as several top-tier veterans inch closer to retirement.

1. Bron Breakker 

Given the fact that Bron Breakker is already being established as a top star, as well as a prime candidate to become the next WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Breakker would be a fantastic potential opponent for Oba Femi. Clashing with Breakker would elevate both, given the fact that they win their matches by not just simply beating their opponents, but by breaking them. 

The battle between Femi and Breakker would be legendary, with Breakker’s explosive speed and Femi’s raw strength on full display. If WWE sets this up properly, it could be a feud that could last for the foreseeable future. A clash between the two could be revisited on and off for years, with fans being the ultimate winners in such a scenario.

The fact that, like Mysterio, Breakker is also only 28 years old provides another building block for the future of the company. A “clash of the titans” with a fresh edge is just what Raw and fans have been needing for quite some time.

1. Drew McIntyre 

With Drew McIntyre becoming the Undisputed WWE Champion after defeating Cody Rhodes in their intense back-and-forth Three Stages of Hell match this past Friday, he would be an excellent option for Femi to go after. Both are similar in size and strength, and their matchup would be a ferocious powerhouse vs. powerhouse battle.

This feud would show that WWE has a lot of belief in Femi, having him go after the coveted Undisputed WWE Championship early on, and would cement him as one of the true next faces of the WWE for years to come. 

Both Femi and McIntyre have established themselves as forces to be reckoned with, not only in the ring but on the mic. Their clashes would be electric, and fans have already been given a taste of what their feud would look like. 

The superstars had a tense exchange at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025, when McIntyre crashed Femi’s main roster debut match against Cody Rhodes, causing it to end in disqualification. Having “The Scottish Warrior” battle “The Bringer of War” would be must-see TV. 

1. Cody Rhodes 

Despite losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Drew McIntyre in their Three Stages of Hell battle during last Friday’s SmackDown, there is still a lot of intrigue for Femi to stir things up with Cody Rhodes. A title definitely does not need to be on the line for their feud to be legendary.

For starters, Femi and Rhodes didn’t get to finish what they started when they faced each other at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025. Femi not only held his own against Rhodes but at times dominated the match, proving he is more than ready for a big-league feud. Because the bout did not end with a definitive winner, a rematch storyline would not be out of the question.

Rhodes has been heavily pushed as the top face of the WWE in recent years. Having Femi try to prove that it is he, rather than Rhodes, who should be the top superstar would be another interesting dynamic, as we don’t often see “face vs. face” rivalries. 

Finally, if Femi manages to defeat Rhodes in a 1-on-1 match, it would be imposing, as “The American Nightmare” has only lost six times in televised singles matches since making his return in 2022, positioning Femi as a top dominant powerhouse.

1. Gunther 

And for the last potential opponent, Gunther is highly intriguing, having gotten a huge push after defeating John Cena in his final match at Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2025. Playing into the unrelenting boos he has been receiving from the fans, he has now adopted a second nickname: “The Career Killer.”

Despite having an up-and-down 2025 calendar year, having tapped out to Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41, and losing to CM Punk at SummerSlam, Gunther’s victories against Goldberg and Cena more than made up for the losses. 

Gunther would be an incredible choice for Femi to face, as he has been strutting around the Raw landscape in a taunting fashion, mocking the fact that he made Cena tap out. Femi’s arrival could put an end to Gunther’s games and give him a formidable opponent to take on. Gunther is known for his no-nonsense powerhouse approach in the ring, with his vicious chest chops and technical precision dominating a match. 

He not only thrives on physically dominating his opponent but also mentally breaking them as well. Femi approaches his bouts with explosive power, and having Gunther come face-to-face with an opponent he cannot intimidate would provide incredible drama for fans.

This rivalry is one that could go on for a while, including multiple matches. The concept of having “The Ring General” face “The Ruler” sounds on paper like a match between two titans fighting in a coliseum, rather than inside a professional wrestling ring. 

By placing the NXT Championship in the center of the ring, Oba Femi sent a clear message: “The Ruler” has officially conquered everything in his path. His tenure in developmental proved that his moniker wasn’t just a clever nickname, but an inevitable reality. However, as he transitions to the grand stage of the main roster, the key to his success will be patience.

WWE must resist the urge to rush his ascent, allowing his character the space to breathe as he prepares for his next great clash. Whether he lands on Raw or SmackDown, one thing is sure: the main roster landscape is about to change, and Femi is ready to take command.