A major shake-up is coming to WWE NXT as Oba Femi, the dominant two-time NXT Champion, has officially vacated his title and is heading to the main roster. With Femi, Je’Von Evans, and Trick Williams all now on Raw or SmackDown, NXT General Manager Ava has made it clear — it’s time for someone new to step up and lead the brand into its next era.
Oba Femi Vacates NXT Title, New Champion to Be Crowned
The announcement came during NXT: New Year’s Evil, moments after Oba Femi defeated TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater in a cross-promotional clash. Rather than continuing his reign, Femi made a surprise move and relinquished the championship, officially ending his time on the black-and-gold brand.
Now, the path is wide open — and Ava isn’t wasting time.
Six-Man Ladder Match Set for February 3
To determine the new NXT Champion, Ava revealed that a Six-Man Ladder Match will take place on Tuesday, February 3. A series of qualifying matches will begin next week, and one superstar has already locked in a spot: Ricky Saints.
Saints, a former NXT Champion, believes he’s responsible for clearing the way for this new era. He’s taken credit for driving Femi, Evans, and Williams out of NXT, and expected to reclaim the title without much resistance. But that’s not how things are shaping up.
Ricky Saints Automatically Qualifies, But Faces a Big Challenge
While Ava granted Saints automatic entry into the ladder match due to his owed rematch clause, he may now be dealing with a much tougher field than he imagined — led by Keanu Carver, a rising powerhouse who made a major statement this week.
Who Is Keanu Carver?
- Former defensive tackle for Temple University
- Signed a WWE developmental contract in 2023
- Made his debut in the NXT Breakout Tournament, where he lost to Riley Osborne in the first round
- Has since appeared on Level Up and EVOLVE shows, slowly building momentum
Despite a slow start, Carver shocked the locker room on this week’s NXT when a massive brawl broke out following Ava’s announcement. As chaos unfolded around him, Carver dominated the ring and left multiple superstars laid out, standing tall as the dust settled.
Watching from the ramp, Ricky Saints looked shaken — and for good reason. Keanu Carver has size, strength, and now, momentum.
The Locker Room Shifts as NXT Enters a New Era
With top stars now graduated to Raw and SmackDown, NXT is in a transitional phase. Ava’s decision to let the locker room fight for the crown has created a sense of unpredictability — and excitement.
Who else will qualify for the ladder match? Could a dark horse emerge? And will Saints back up his bold claims, or fall to a new generation of stars ready to take over?
All eyes will be on the upcoming qualifiers, but here’s what we know so far:
Confirmed NXT Championship Ladder Match Competitor:
- Ricky Saints (rematch clause)
Potential Major Threat:
- Keanu Carver (has not qualified yet, but sent a loud message)
