Nigerian professional wrestler Isaac Odugbesan, popularly known as Oba Femi, delivered a statement victory on the grand stage of WrestleMania 42, defeating 10-time WWE Champion Brock Lesnar in under five minutes on Sunday, April 19.
The high-profile clash, billed as one of the event’s headline matches, ended dramatically as the 27-year-old Nigerian overpowered the seasoned veteran in a dominant performance that stunned fans worldwide.
In a moment that immediately sparked retirement speculation, Lesnar removed his wrestling gear and left it in the ring, a symbolic gesture in professional wrestling often interpreted as a farewell.
Femi, nicknamed “The Ruler,” has rapidly risen through the ranks, spending just three months on WWE’s main roster after an impressive run in NXT, where he held championship titles.
The bout opened with both competitors testing each other’s strength, with Lesnar briefly asserting control through a series of powerful offensive moves. However, Femi absorbed the early pressure and shifted momentum decisively in his favour.
Lesnar executed his trademark F5, but Femi showed resilience, recovering swiftly to deliver a thunderous chokeslam. He sealed the victory with his finishing move, the “Fall From Grace” sit-out powerbomb, securing a pinfall that sent shockwaves through the arena.
The result quickly became a major talking point on social media, with fans reacting to the unexpected upset.
A former shot put athlete, Femi has built an impressive résumé in a short time, emerging as a two-time NXT Champion and a one-time NXT North American Champion. Born in Lagos, he competed in track and field during his school years before signing with 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 reputation as one of WWE’s fastest-rising stars.
During the WrestleMania post-show, Femi turned his attention to Roman Reigns, also known as the “Original Tribal Chief,” drawing a loud reaction from fans as he hinted at a potential title challenge before the end of the year.
