Rising WWE sensation Oba Femi opened up about the unconventional support system that paved his way to professional wrestling stardom in an interview with Steph McMahon on What’s Your Story? podcast.
The 6’6” powerhouse, born Isaac Odugbesan, credited the congregation of Grace Assembly in Lagos and his spiritual mentor, Pastor Femi Paul, for providing the critical financial and emotional foundation required to relocate to the United States.
The former student-athlete from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) explained that his journey to the global stage was initially marked by personal crossroads and intense domestic challenges.
Breaking away from his dominant ring persona, Femi described a vulnerable period of his life where his future was far from certain, highlighting how Pastor Paul stepped in as a guardian to ease family tensions
Femi revealed that the Lagos-based congregation recognized his potential and mobilized to ensure he could pursue his athletic dreams abroad, actively coming together to raise the necessary funds for his move to the West.
This financial backing from Grace Assembly ultimately served as the catalyst for his meteoric rise through the collegiate ranks into the WWE Next In Line development program.
Femi emphasized that the core values instilled by his community, particularly the strict instruction to respect his parents, remain his personal North Star as he navigates sudden international fame.
The timing of these revelations coincides with Femi’s unprecedented momentum on the WWE main roster following a historic victory over the legendary Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.
While he continues to tear through the competition with brute force and tactical precision, his story now carries a deeper resonance of community and faith.
As Femi continues his dominant run, he stands as a testament to the power of grassroots support, proving that while he may be the one standing in the ring, he carries the hopes and investment of a Lagos community with every strike.
Is Oba Femi the next big force in WWE?