Since getting called up to the main roster, Oba Femi has been unstoppable. Even though he is still a free agent, that hasn’t stopped him from beating up everyone who steps in the ring with him. It seems like no one can stop him. However, on the February 23, 2026 episode of Monday Night Raw, someone of equal power and strength finally stepped up.
Rusev, who made his return at the Royal Rumble last month, approached General Manager Adam Pearce. He wanted to talk business, as it is clear that he wants to get back to fighting. Femi noticed the conversation, then made himself known to both of them. They went back and forth insulting each other, but Pearce stopped them before it got physical. A match between them will be coming very soon, which will be great for a number of reasons.
Femi Will Be Tested for the Very First Time
The presentation of Femi is the typical monster showcase in WWE. A tall and massive man beats up on one or two obviously smaller men. It’s largely a squash match with the giant getting in most, if not all, of the offense. However, there’s going to be a point in time when he gets challenged. With Femi, Rusev is the guy who’s going to start giving him some trouble. He can’t just keep having easy matches without any difficulty.
Working with Rusev will help him, as he is pretty equal to him in size. There’s no way he’ll be able to go down easily. Femi will have to do some pretty tricky moves if he wants to outsmart Rusev. He is a great first challenging opponent, as his size and strength will test Femi in a way he’s never been tested before on the main roster.
Rusev Gets a Chance to Showcase His Skillset
On the Raw after WrestleMania last year, Rusev returned to beat up Alpha Academy. It looked like he was going to be a huge featured wrestler after five years away from WWE. However, that hasn’t been the case at all. Aside from his rivalries with Alpha Academy and Sheamus, he hasn’t done much in the ten months he’s been back. His participation in the Rumble was short, as Femi eliminated him in just 32 seconds. Fans have been disappointed in his overall run, clearly hoping for more after an incredible return.
A match with Femi could change their perception. Even though it’s likely he’ll lose, he’ll fight every second until the pin gets applied. That might get Pearce’s attention, so he’ll get booked in more matches, which could lead to championship opportunities. He’ll give Femi the challenge he’s looking for while showcasing his skills to WWE management.
This Match Can Be Beneficial to Both of Them
Right now, a Femi vs. Rusev match is a great idea for both men. Femi has showcased his skills in squash matches for weeks. That seems like an effective strategy for now, but at some point, he’ll have to move on to bigger and better opponents. Wrestling Rusev is the best-case scenario for him. He’ll get to work with a veteran of a similar size and strength who has been a champion in WWE. That will definitely be a good experience for him.
With Rusev, he needs to show that he still belongs in the company, as the past couple of months haven’t shown much. He started hot, but has cooled down majorly with his usage and Rumble performance. Showcasing his skills will hopefully give Pearce a reason to book him in more matches. A match between these two men will potentially help them in their WWE careers.
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