Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent
Bleacher Report presents the latest updates from the WWE Universe, highlighting insights from Roman Reigns, potential WWE plans from boxer Tommy Fury, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 Opponents
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, where he shared candid thoughts on facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 instead of The Rock. The episode, released on November 26, delved into Reigns’s mindset during the lead-up to the event and his outlook on possible future matches.
When asked if he was disappointed not to get a one-on-one match against The Rock, Reigns made it clear the opponent didn’t matter as long as he remained the main event draw.
“It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… It was the same task in hand for me,” Reigns explained, underscoring his role as the “Original Tribal Chief” who stood atop the company.
The storyline surrounding WrestleMania 40 was notably complex. After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, which opened the door for The Rock to be the main challenger. However, due to mixed fan reactions, Rhodes reversed course; meanwhile, The Rock shifted character, turning heel and adopting the persona of “The Final Boss.” This led to a compelling two-night WrestleMania event in Philadelphia where The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, before Rhodes captured the WWE title by beating Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, Traina probed whether a Reigns vs. Rock match remains a realistic prospect. Reigns suggested that if the passionate WWE fanbase loudly demands it, and if The Rock is interested, WWE could deliver the dream encounter.
“If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns said.
The Rock himself made a surprise WWE appearance at last month’s Bad Blood event but has remained largely absent since. With Survivor Series scheduled to feature a WarGames match featuring The Bloodline factions, speculation is mounting that The Rock might return to build toward a marquee clash with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Tommy Fury, a professional boxer and younger brother of Tyson Fury, teased his potential interest in joining WWE during a recent UK tour. Fury shared footage on YouTube from backstage, showing encounters with WWE stars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day,” Fury remarked enthusiastically.
Tommy Fury, 25, is undefeated in his professional boxing career and notably holds a victory over YouTube personality Jake Paul. Given his connections to the Paul family and brother Tyson’s brief WWE involvement—including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and interference at Clash at the Castle 2022—Tommy could be a natural fit for WWE storylines, especially against Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar.
Such a matchup or even a tag team of the “Fury brothers” vs. the “Paul brothers” would tap into broader mainstream appeal and might be on WWE’s radar for future programming.
NXT Star Oba Femi Absent from Recent Tapings
Oba Femi, former North American Champion and breakout star of WWE NXT, has reportedly not appeared at NXT tapings or shows for over a month. Fightful Select reports that since two losses to Tony D’Angelo, including a title defeat at Halloween Havoc on October 27, Femi has been absent from television and backstage activity.
Since making his televised debut in April 2023, Femi surged through NXT, winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee. His 272-day reign was a record long, but recent losses and his subsequent absence have sparked speculation.
While no official reason has been provided, possibilities include a rest period after a physically demanding schedule, storyline recalibration, injury, or even preparation for a main roster call-up. Upon his return, Femi is widely seen as a top contender for the NXT Championship and a credible challenger to current champion Trick Williams.
Closing Thoughts
WWE watchers have plenty to anticipate: potential legends vs. legends matchups, crossover talent from boxing, and evolving NXT storylines with rising stars like Oba Femi. Roman Reigns’s openness to future challenges and Tommy Fury’s flirtation with wrestling highlight WWE’s ongoing blending of in-ring talent and celebrity appeal. Fans eager for more updates can continue tuning in as these stories develop.
For more in-depth wrestling news and discussions, listen to the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio and follow Bleacher Report’s WWE coverage.