Search Intent: WWE news / wrestling analysis / Oba Femi character development
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Story Confidence: 🟢 Confirmed comments / 🟡 Proposed WWE direction
Pitch Made for Oba Femi’s WWE Heel Turn as Roman Reigns’ “Overrated” Perception Is Discussed
Former WWE Champion Raj Dhesi, better known to fans as Jinder Mahal, has proposed a major character change for Oba Femi while also pushing back against the idea that Roman Reigns is overrated.
Dhesi discussed both WWE stars as part of his latest “Hot WWE Takes of the Week”, offering a glimpse into how he believes WWE could shape the next phase of its roster.
His suggestion for Femi is particularly notable: turn the rising powerhouse heel and align him with Paul Heyman.
Raj Dhesi wants Oba Femi to turn heel
Dhesi believes WWE could benefit from turning Oba Femi heel and placing him alongside Paul Heyman.
The proposal comes at an interesting moment for Femi.
He has already established himself as one of WWE's most physically imposing young stars and has been positioned as a major part of the company's future.
Femi's current presentation has given him a strong foundation, but a heel turn could fundamentally change how audiences perceive him.
Rather than simply being presented as a dominant young star, Femi could become a more ruthless and calculating threat.
Why Paul Heyman could be the perfect partner
The most intriguing part of Dhesi's pitch is the proposed connection between Oba Femi and Paul Heyman.
Heyman's greatest strength has always been his ability to amplify the aura of a powerful performer.
His association with Brock Lesnar helped reinforce Lesnar's status as an unstoppable attraction, while his long-running relationship with Roman Reigns helped transform Reigns into The Tribal Chief.
Femi presents a different opportunity.
He already possesses the physical credibility.
Heyman could provide the strategic and verbal dimension that would make the character even more dangerous.
The combination could potentially give Femi a completely different identity.
Femi has already reached another level
Femi's rise accelerated significantly in 2026.
His victory over Brock Lesnar established him as one of WWE's most powerful young performers, while his success in the King of the Ring tournament placed him directly into the world-title picture.
That progression means WWE does not need to spend years convincing fans that Femi belongs at the top.
The audience has already seen him defeat major opposition.
The next challenge is determining what kind of character he becomes.
A heel turn could be one answer.
Roman Reigns' 'overrated' label comes under scrutiny
Dhesi also addressed the continuing debate around Roman Reigns.
While some critics have described Reigns as overrated, Dhesi strongly rejected that assessment.
His position is that Reigns remains in a category of his own.
The former WWE Champion argued that there is currently nobody who comes close to Reigns when it comes to his overall presence and status.
That is a significant endorsement from another performer who has experienced WWE's main-event environment.
Why the Roman Reigns debate continues
The argument over whether Roman Reigns is overrated has existed for years.
Reigns faced considerable criticism early in his run as WWE's chosen top star, particularly during his initial babyface push.
His transformation into The Tribal Chief changed that perception dramatically.
The character became one of WWE's most successful modern creations, with Reigns receiving widespread praise for his performances and long championship reign.
The debate has nevertheless continued because Reigns' position at the top of WWE remains so prominent.
For Dhesi, however, the argument does not hold up.
He believes Reigns' combination of presence, credibility and star power separates him from the rest of the roster.
Two very different WWE conversations
The discussion surrounding Femi and Reigns ultimately highlights two different stages of a WWE career.
Femi represents the future.
Reigns represents an established generation of main-event stars.
Femi is still building the résumé that could eventually put him in Reigns' category.
Reigns has already spent years proving his ability to operate at that level.
That makes the proposed Femi-Heyman partnership especially interesting.
If WWE eventually turned Femi heel and placed him under Heyman's guidance, it could theoretically create another major antagonist capable of challenging the established hierarchy.
Sevens Sports Arena analysis
Dhesi's proposal deserves attention because it solves a potential creative problem for Femi.
The Nigerian powerhouse already looks convincing as a dominant wrestler.
A conventional heel turn, however, would not necessarily be enough.
The smarter option would be to change how Femi thinks and behaves.
That is where Heyman could become valuable.
A partnership would allow Femi to remain physically imposing while adding a manipulative element to his character.
Instead of simply destroying opponents, he could begin controlling situations before the bell even rings.
That would create a more complete villain.
At the same time, Dhesi's defence of Reigns demonstrates just how high the standard is for WWE's biggest stars.
Calling Reigns overrated overlooks the transformation that took place when his character changed.
The Tribal Chief era established that Reigns could carry long-term storytelling, headline major events and maintain a level of credibility few performers achieve.
Whether fans personally enjoy his current presentation is a separate question.
His impact on WWE is considerably harder to dispute.
Could Oba Femi eventually challenge Roman Reigns?
That possibility is one of the most intriguing long-term directions WWE could explore.
Femi is young, physically imposing and already being positioned as a future main-event player.
Reigns remains one of WWE's biggest established attractions.
A future Oba Femi vs. Roman Reigns programme could therefore represent a genuine meeting between generations.
But WWE would need to protect Femi carefully.
He cannot simply be presented as another challenger passing through Reigns' orbit.
If WWE wants Femi to become a future face of the company, he eventually needs victories and defining moments of his own.
That is why a carefully executed heel turn could be valuable.
It would give him a distinct identity before he reaches the biggest stage.
What happens next?
For now, Oba Femi's heel turn and Paul Heyman alliance remain a proposal rather than a confirmed WWE storyline.
Dhesi has put forward the idea, but there is no confirmation that WWE plans to execute it.
The same applies to any potential future confrontation between Femi and Reigns.
What is clear is that Femi has become important enough for established wrestling figures to discuss his potential direction.
And if WWE eventually decides to make him one of its defining villains, a partnership with Paul Heyman could provide exactly the kind of character evolution that takes him to another level.
Meanwhile, the debate over Roman Reigns' status and whether he is overrated continues.
Dhesi's answer is emphatic: Reigns remains one of the wrestlers against whom WWE's next generation will ultimately be measured.
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