Ernest Osogbue.
The world of professional wrestling is an unwinding labyrinth, that could only be understood by its practitioners. To the connoisseurs, they simply accept what they see, enjoy it, and remain happy. To many others, however, professional wrestling is fake, and so, they would rather have nothing to do with it.
I have invested a little time trying to understand professional wrestling, and I can agree to an extent, that some of it is fake. However, when a 300lbs wrestler flies from the top rope, and lands on you, how fake do you think that would be? When a steel chair is cracked against your skull, with ferocious strength in the heat of a fight, or when you’re thrown against the steel steps, and you crash across the ground in a somersault, how fake could that be? I would like to invite those who say pro wrestling is fake, to take a gamble and sign up.
That’s why I maintain that only the practitioners of the sport know it’s essence. When I remember as a lad, how Power Mike, Ben Lion Heart, and in later years, Power Uti, were flying Nigeria’s flag, in the world of professional wrestling, I smile. Who could have told us that the rivalry between Power Mike, and the legendary English headbutt specialist, Johnny Kwango, were fake? That is where we are in the world today, where there is too much information. Back then we accepted what we saw and never complained.
As Wrestlemania 42 gets underway at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, this weekend, one of Nigeria’s own children would be showcasing his skills, and carrying the torch lit by the likes of Chief Michael Okpala, aka Power Mike, as he battles to earn his place among the WWE superstars. Isaac Odugbesan, better known as Oba Femi, in the World Wrestling Entertainment, WWE, has taken the world of wrestling by storm, since joining the organization in 2021, as an apprentice. Odugbesan who was a shot putter in Nigeria, before moving to the US in 2017, on an athletics scholarship, has stunned the world with his skills, and impressed the WWE authorities, to the extent that they are prepared to invest in him as the next big thing. He won shot putt championships for the University of Alabama, before signing up for the Next in Line program of the WWE. Since that time, Odugbesan has not looked back. Fighting under the ring name Oba Femi, a nod to his Nigerian/Yoruba roots, he won the NXT North American Championship, his first title in 2024. More success was to follow, when he defeated Eddy Thorpe, and Trick Williams, in a triple threat match, to win the NXT Championship title. He held the title for 263 days, defending it multiple times, before losing it to Ricky Saints, in September 2025. He regained the title on December 6th 2025, and never lost it, until dropping it after being bumped up to the main roster.
As of today, Oba Femi, is the hottest property in the WWE, and his headline match on day two of Wrestlemania 42, this Sunday, is what the whole world is currently talking about. Oba Femi, will go up against one of the most legendary champions in WWE history, Brock Lesnar, better known as ‘The Beast Incarnate’, due to his ferocious wrestling style. Lesnar is a former NCAA champion, a former UFC heavyweight champion, and a multiple time WWE heavyweight champion. He is reputed for ending streaks, after ending the 21 Wrestlemania victory streak of the Undertaker at 21-1.
The fight between Oba and Brock, is seen as a battle of the young versus the old. The amount of push Oba has received from the WWE hierarchy, shows their belief in him as the future of the WWE. It is expected that Oba will take advantage of the situation and give a good account of himself. Previously, Tolulope Omogbehin, another Nigerian, who goes under the ring name of Omos, had been pushed by the WWE, but he seemed to lack star power, and has since been dropped to mid-card, and irregular television appearances. Oba Femi, on the other hand, has caught on with the WWE fans, winning them over with his characteristic ring entrance dance and music, and most importantly, his exciting wrestling technique. He therefore, has a great opportunity before him, to cement his place as a top WWE performer, when he faces Brock Lesnar on day 2 of Wrestlemania 42, on Sunday.
As Nigerians grapple with economic hardship and political challenges, it becomes imperative to celebrate any little wins. The elevation of Oba Femi to WWE superstardom, is therefore, not a mean feat. It therefore becomes necessary, for Nigerian wrestling fans to cheer for Oba Femi, and to pray that he gives a good account of himself against the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar.
