Steve Carrier on January 9, 2026
Je’Von Evans may be wildly popular with fans, but a new backstage update suggests WWE’s long-term outlook on him isn’t nearly as strong.
In the January 9, 2026 edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer revealed that while Evans is viewed as a potential star, WWE officials reportedly do not see him as a future franchise centerpiece. That distinction, according to the report, belongs to his peer Oba Femi.
Meltzer explained that even Evans winning a major fan-voted award hasn’t shifted that internal belief.
“Same way with Evans winning the fan voting that Femi by all rights should have won based on positioning, but they still see Femi as a top guy and Evans as a guy who can be a star, but not a franchise star.”
That assessment stands out even more given Evans’ recent accomplishments. He was named 2025 NXT Male Superstar of the Year, an award announced during the December 30 episode of NXT after fans overwhelmingly voted in his favor. Evans also co-headlined NXT Stand & Deliver at just 21 years old, where his triple threat match with Femi and Trick Williams won Match of the Year honors.
Despite that momentum, WWE’s internal perception reportedly hasn’t changed. While Evans is believed to have a strong future, the company sees Femi as the true long-term anchor—someone on a dominant trajectory similar to other recent breakout stars.
That context also adds clarity to why Evans’ move to Monday Night RAW has felt quieter than expected. He officially joined the red brand on January 5, 2026, alongside Oba Femi and Trick Williams, but his transition hasn’t been treated as a major on-screen moment.
Do you agree with WWE’s reported assessment of Je’Von Evans, or do you think he has franchise-star potential written all over him? Let us know what you think in the comments and share your take.
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