On Saturday, the official NXT X account confirmed that General Manager Ava will appear on this Tuesday’s episode of NXT on The CW Network to “address the future of the NXT Championship.”
The championship situation was set in motion during the closing moments of NXT New Year’s Evil on January 6. After successfully defending his title against TNA X-Division Champion Leon Slater in the main event, Oba Femi placed the NXT Championship belt in the center of the ring and walked away without a word.
WWE officially confirmed the vacancy on social media the following day, stating that Femi had relinquished the title despite his victory.
Oba gave up the belt because he’s about to transition to WWE’s main roster while preserving his dominant reputation. In recent weeks, vignettes hyping Femi’s arrival have aired on both Raw and SmackDown. By relinquishing the title rather than losing it in a match, Femi ends his reign undefeated, a booking decision intended to protect his “aura of dominance.”
Femi leaves the brand as one of its most formidable champions in recent history. His reign included successful defenses against top contenders and followed a record-setting 273-day run as NXT North American Champion.
What to Expect Tuesday
With the championship now held in abeyance, General Manager Ava is expected to announce the method for crowning a new champion. Common methods for deciding a new titleholder in NXT have historically included tournaments or multi-man matches at upcoming Premium Live Events.
Other talent on the roster, such as Ricky Saints, have already expressed interest in the title picture. Earlier in the New Year’s Evil broadcast, Saints declared his intention to challenge whoever left the show as champion.
After being vacated by @Obaofwwe, @avawwe_ will address the future of the NXT Championship THIS TUESDAY on #WWENXT!
📺 8e/7c on @TheCW pic.twitter.com/IbOx7wvUMz
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 10, 2026
