Oba Femi shocks WWE World, defeats Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42 debut

Nigerian professional wrestler Oba Femi delivered a dramatic statement victory on his WrestleMania debut, defeating 10-time WWE champion Brock Lesnar in under five minutes at WrestleMania 42 on Sunday.

The match, one of the headline bouts of the night, ended in stunning fashion as the 27-year-old Nigerian overpowering the veteran quickly became the biggest talking point of the event.

After the bout, Lesnar reportedly left his wrestling gear in the ring, a symbolic gesture in professional wrestling often interpreted as retirement.

The contest began with both men exchanging power moves, with Lesnar briefly asserting dominance through his signature offensive style. However, Oba Femi absorbed the pressure and shifted momentum with a powerful counterattack.

Lesnar later landed an F5, but Femi recovered almost immediately, delivered a chokeslam, and sealed the victory with his “Fall From Grace” sit-out powerbomb for the pinfall.

Born Isaac Odugbesan in Lagos, Femi has risen rapidly in WWE, spending only a short time on the main roster before making a global impact. He previously established himself in NXT as a two-time champion and former North American title holder.

A former shot put athlete, he joined WWE in 2021 through its NIL programme and went on to win the 2023 NXT Men’s Breakout Tournament as well as the 2024 Iron Survivor Challenge.

Standing at 6’4” and weighing around 310 pounds, Femi used his blend of size and athleticism to dominate on wrestling’s biggest stage, marking his arrival with what many are already describing as a career-defining victory.

The win has sparked widespread reactions among fans, with many hailing it as a major breakthrough moment for Nigerian representation in global professional wrestling.