News

WWE Officially Declares Major Championship Vacant

By John Canton • Published Jan 07, 2026 18:00 EST
WWE NXT Title Logo Blur

A coveted WWE championship is officially vacant.

In the main event of WWE NXT New Year’s Evil, Oba Femi defended the coveted NXT Championship against the TNA X-Division Champion, Leon Slater.

While the electrifying Slater came close to winning the NXT Title a few times, Femi was too much for the challenger and hit his Fall From Grace (a Popup Powerbomb) for the pinfall win.

After the match, Oba Femi celebrated with the NXT Title while a spotlight was on him in the ring, and the lights were out in the rest of the building. Femi kissed the NXT Title.

Ava, the NXT GM, was shown in her office with Evolve wrestlers. Ava talked about the wrestlers that have moved up to the main roster while naming Lash Legend, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Jordynne Grace. Ava spoke to the Evolve wrestlers about how they will have an opportunity to step up. Mr. Stone walked in to ask if Ava saw what Oba just did. She said no.

The scene cut to the ring. The NXT Title was in the ring, which meant that Femi put it there and that Femi was leaving NXT. We could see Tony D’Angelo looking on from the crowd. That was the end of the show.

WWE NXT Championship Is Vacant

On social media, WWE announced the breaking news that the NXT Championship has officially been vacated by the 2-time NXT Champion, Oba Femi.

🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨

After his victory at #NewYearsEvil, Oba Femi has officially vacated the #WWENXT Championship. Stay tuned for more details.

Ever since WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th, when Oba Femi looked impressive against the WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, it has been rumored that Femi was going to be called up to the main roster soon. Since the match, Femi has been featured in video packages on Raw and SmackDown.

It is expected that Femi vacating the NXT Title will lead to the powerful Nigerian joining Raw or SmackDown, but it’s not yet known what brand he’ll be on.

As for the future of the NXT Championship, that will likely be addressed by Ava on the January 13th episode of NXT.