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Oba Femi will open WWE Raw tonight from Columbus, Ohio, less than one week after Brock Lesnar delivered a devastating attack on the rising superstar. The May 25 episode airs live at 8 ET/5 PT on Netflix from the Schottenstein Center, with Femi’s opening address marking a critical moment in WWE’s ongoing power shift toward young athletic talent. Following his WrestleMania 42 victory over Lesnar and subsequent contract signing, Femi faces intense momentum disruption as the Beast Incarnate reignites their rivalry ahead of WWE Clash in Italy next Sunday.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Oba Femi opens Raw tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on Netflix from Columbus, Ohio
- Brock Lesnar attacked Femi on May 18, delivering multiple F5 finishers
- Lesnar vs Femi II officially set for WWE Clash in Italy next Sunday
- Femi is a 2x NXT Champion who defeated Lesnar at WrestleMania 42
The Comeback Narrative: Femi’s Rise After WrestleMania
Oba Femi’s trajectory in 2026 has been marked by consistent advancement and professional respect. The 25-year-old powerhouse made his main roster debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble, where he eliminated five participants—a performance that signaled WWE’s confidence in his main event readiness. His WrestleMania 42 victory over Brock Lesnar was positioned as a generational moment: a torch-passing exhibit where Femi’s youth, athleticism, and technical precision outmaneuvered Lesnar’s raw destructive power. This win established Femi not as a challenger, but as a force capable of defeating WWE’s most decorated heavyweights in competitive settings.
Since WrestleMania, Femi has held an open challenge on Raw, accepting all comers and defending with consistency. This competitive approach builds credibility—he’s not avoiding anyone, but rather establishing himself as the standard-bearer of Raw’s upper card. Tonight’s opening address will likely reflect confidence tempered by the realization that Lesnar, even after losing at WrestleMania, remains one of WWE’s most dangerous athletes.
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Oba Femi kicks off Raw tonight after Brock Lesnar’s surprise attack
Lesnar’s Return: Psychological Warfare Beyond Wrestling
The May 18 attack represented more than physical disruption. Brock Lesnar’s return—and specifically his choice to target Oba Femi—carries narrative weight. Lesnar was eliminated in under six minutes from the 2026 Royal Rumble by Cody Rhodes and Dominik Knight, an embarrassment by Lesnar’s standards. His WrestleMania 42 loss to Femi then solidified a decline that demanded response. Rather than seek a rematch immediately, Lesnar disappeared—a psychological tactic that builds comeback narratives. When Lesnar returned on May 18, he didn’t challenge Femi to a match; he attacked during an open challenge, demonstrating that Lesnar no longer respects the competitive framework. This signals escalation and suggests Lesnar is fighting not for honor or titles, but for dominance itself.
The four F5 finishers delivered during the May 18 assault serve a dual purpose: physical punishment and psychological declaration. WWE commentary emphasized that Lesnar wanted to send a message before their Clash in Italy contract was finalized. Tonight, when Femi opens Raw, he will address this aggression—either with defiance, acknowledgment of injury, or strategic caution. Every word carries weight.
Raw’s Card Evolution and Stakes
Tonight’s episode features Roman Reigns and Jacob Fatu making their World Title Tribal Combat Match official for Clash in Italy—a separate but concurrent storyline that elevates the overall significance of WWE’s next premium live event. This dual-main-event structure (Reigns-Fatu plus Lesnar-Femi) positions Clash in Italy as a landmark card. Columbus, Ohio historically represents territory strength for WWE, where wrestling tradition runs deep. The crowd’s reaction to Femi tonight will provide critical intel about regional support and momentum heading into the international event.
Penta will also defend the Intercontinental Championship against Je’Von Evans on tonight’s card, maintaining ongoing title defenses and preventing any single storyline from monopolizing Raw’s structure. This balanced approach reflects WWE’s current philosophy: build multiple credible challenger pathways rather than concentrate all narrative weight on a single conflict.
| Comparison Factor | Oba Femi | Brock Lesnar |
| Age/Experience Phase | 25, rising star (main roster debut: Feb 2026) | 46, veteran (WWE return: 2021) |
| WrestleMania 42 Result | DEFEATED Lesnar (torch-passing) | LOST to Femi (decline narrative) |
| Recent Trajectory | Open Challenge momentum, 3+ consecutive wins | Absence followed by aggressive return |
| Physical Signature | Technical strength, explosive lifting | Raw power, F5 finisher dominance |
| Title Status | Positioned for World Title shot (post-Clash) | Non-title feuds (rebuilding credibility) |
“Oba Femi made easy work of Brock Lesnar in a star-making moment at WrestleMania 42. This rematch at Clash in Italy carries different weight—Lesnar fighting for relevance, and Femi proving it was no fluke.”
— WWE Commentary Team, Post-WrestleMania 42 Analysis
What Tonight’s Opening Statement Signals
When Femi opens Raw, three possible framings emerge. First: defiance and confidence—positioning the attack as a minor disruption to a rising superstar’s narrative. This approach maintains momentum and asserts that Lesnar’s return doesn’t diminish Femi’s standing. Second: strategic acknowledgment—addressing the injury implications of the F5 assault while committing to the Clash in Italy match. This frames Femi as willing to fight despite physical punishment, a competitor’s angle. Third: psychological escalation—turning the narrative inward to establish Femi’s own ruthless focus, potentially foreshadowing that Femi will match Lesnar’s intensity heading into the international event.
WWE’s booking philosophy suggests a blend of these approaches. Femi will likely acknowledge the physical reality while reasserting his credibility gain from WrestleMania. The crowd in Columbus will determine tone—if support is strong, Femi can lean into confidence. If ambivalence exists, expect more measured positioning.
What Does This Rematch Really Decide?
Clash in Italy carries implications beyond two men competing. A second victory by Femi would definitively establish him as a generational talent capable of defeating WWE’s most decorated wrestlers consistently. A Lesnar victory would reset their narrative, suggesting WrestleMania was circumstantial rather than indicative of genuine superiority. Given WWE’s investment in Femi’s rise, a second loss for Lesnar positioning seems more aligned with current booking philosophy—but Lesnar’s return suggests creative is willing to explore unpredictability. The open challenge format of tonight’s show might even present unexpected variables if a surprise challenger steps into the narrative.
Tonight at 8 ET/5 PT on Netflix, Oba Femi will control the first moments of Raw. His words, tone, and bearing will signal WWE’s confidence in his trajectory and psychological resilience. In an era where rising talent faces constant testing, opening Raw after Lesnar’s return represents both risk and opportunity—proof that Femi belongs in conversations with WWE’s elite.
