Oba Femi is once again the NXT Champion after defeating Ricky Starks in the opening match of NXT Deadline on Saturday night from the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas.
With the victory, Femi has earned far more than just the title. As announced on Friday's SmackDown, WWE Champion Cody Rhodes revealed that the winner of the NXT Championship match would receive an immediate opportunity to face him at Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13.
The stipulation added massive stakes to an already heated rematch. Starks had dethroned Femi at NXT No Mercy in September to capture the championship, but the man known as "The Ruler" returned in November to stake his claim to a rematch. During the contract signing, NXT General Manager Ava announced the title bout would open NXT Deadline, marking the first time an NXT Championship match opened a premium live event.
SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis brought both competitors to his office on Friday alongside Rhodes to make the high-profile announcement. The Undisputed WWE Champion made it clear that whichever man emerged victorious would step into the ring with him next Saturday night.
Starks put up a valiant effort, kicking out of the first Fall from Grace, but could not survive a second. Femi captured his second NXT Championship reign and punched his ticket to the biggest stage of his career thus far.
Saturday Night's Main Event XLII will air live on December 13 from the Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The event, promoted as "John Cena's Final Match," will feature Cena facing Gunther in the main event as he concludes his legendary 26-year in-ring career. Per Cena's request, the undercard will spotlight NXT talent against main roster stars, including Bayley vs. Sol Ruca.
The Rhodes vs. Femi matchup adds an intriguing dynamic to the card. While Cena's farewell will dominate the evening, the collision between WWE's top champion and NXT's dominant titleholder represents exactly the kind of future-focused booking Cena advocated for.