If live events are dress rehearsals before the main performance, NXT’s next act could feature an epic hoss fight.
Last Saturday in South Carolina, NXT Champion Oba Femi came face-to-face with WWE star Rusev during the main event of a six-man tag team match at an NXT house show. Femi teamed with Hank and Tank against Rusev, Ethan Page, and Jasper Troy.
After Hank and Tank used their chaotic style to keep Page and Troy off balance, the crowd erupted as the two powerhouses circled and locked up.
Their first tie-up ended in a stalemate. On their second go, Femi overpowered Rusev, shoving him to the mat. Rusev responded with a kick to the gut and a flurry of strikes. Femi quickly reversed the momentum, landing heavy blows in the corner, but ran into a boot to the face and a dropkick from the former United States Champion.
When Rusev went for a suplex, Femi countered into one of his own before tagging out. Later, they clashed again, with Femi delivering a chokeslam — arguably the highlight of their exchanges. As Rusev regained control, Troy tagged himself in, which backfired. After a full-scale brawl broke out, Femi hit his Fall From Grace powerbomb on Troy for the win.
The encounter was just enough to whet appetites without making either man look weak. Its timing is also notable, coming just ahead of NXT’s Homecoming show at Full Sail University on Sept. 16, where several former NXT stars are expected to appear.
Currently, Femi is scheduled to defend his title against Ricky Saints at No Mercy on Sept. 25. If he retains, a post–No Mercy clash with Rusev — an NXT alum — could be on the horizon. It’s a marquee showdown that could boost Femi’s stock and give him a high-profile challenger ahead of an eventual main roster call-up.
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