Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, Talks The Rock & Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
In recent developments from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experience, including his matches involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes. Additionally, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a possible wrestling career with WWE, while NXT star Oba Femi has been noticeably absent from the brand’s recent tapings.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Prospects
On the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns shared his perspective on the main event of WrestleMania 40, which saw him face Cody Rhodes instead of the originally rumored bout against The Rock. Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns expressed that it didn’t matter who he faced as long as he was in the main event spotlight.
Reigns said, "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. It just needed to be about defending the title and stopping anyone who tries to take us off the pinnacle."
This sentiment came amid a fluctuating storyline, where Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but then declined to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania, paving the way for The Rock’s involvement. Fan backlash caused a sudden shift, leading to The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and teaming up with Reigns at WrestleMania 40 Night 1 to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins. However, Rhodes ultimately captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the potential for a future match against The Rock, Reigns emphasized that the decision largely depends on the fans’ enthusiasm. He explained, “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen."
The Rock made a surprise return to WWE programming last month during the Bad Blood event but has remained largely absent since. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring multiple factions of The Bloodline, there’s speculation that The Rock could reemerge, possibly setting up a future clash with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Showcases Interest in WWE
Tommy Fury, a professional boxer and the younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently teased potential involvement with WWE during a YouTube video posted on Sunday. The footage showed him backstage at a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, where he mingled with top stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury commented, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?”
Tommy Fury is undefeated in his boxing career and notably the only fighter to defeat YouTube star Jake Paul. His connection with the Paul family and athletic background positions him as an intriguing candidate for WWE storylines, especially against Logan Paul, who is a signed WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. Such a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” match could attract significant public attention.
Tyson Fury’s previous WWE appearance came at Crown Jewel 2019, where he faced Braun Strowman. Tommy’s expressed interest adds a new dimension of crossover potential between boxing and pro wrestling.
Oba Femi Absent from NXT Following Recent Losses
Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi has been missing from recent tapings since his defeat at Halloween Havoc on October 27. As reported by Fightful Select, backstage discussions have noted no appearances of Femi since losing the North American Championship to Tony D’Angelo, which ended his record title reign at 272 days. He also lost a subsequent rematch at Halloween Havoc.
The reasons for Femi’s absence remain unclear. It could be a strategic cooling-off period following two significant losses, time off for injury, or preparation for a possible main roster call-up. Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi had a strong push—winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title.
If and when he returns, many in the wrestling community anticipate Femi pursuing the NXT Championship, potentially ending the current reign of Trick Williams.
Looking Ahead
With WrestleMania 40 behind and Survivor Series approaching, WWE fans have plenty to look forward to. Reigns and The Rock’s possible upcoming encounters, Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling debut, and Oba Femi’s unexplained NXT absence create dynamic storylines to follow in the weeks ahead.
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