Roman Reigns Opens Up About The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Shows WWE Interest, and NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Generates Buzz
In the latest updates from the world of WWE, Roman Reigns has shared his thoughts on recent high-profile matchups and future possibilities involving WWE legends and rising stars. Meanwhile, boxer Tommy Fury has hinted at a potential career in professional wrestling with WWE, and NXT’s Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent tapings, sparking speculation about his status.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Prospects for a Rock Match
During an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns discussed the main event scene heading into WrestleMania 40, which featured a high-profile clash with Cody Rhodes. Reigns was initially rumored to be facing The Rock in the event’s main event, stirring excitement among fans. However, plans shifted, and Reigns faced Rhodes instead—a decision that Reigns made clear did not impact his mindset.
As Reigns explained, "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… They are trying to stop history from happening. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me." His focus remained on defending his championship and being the top contender, regardless of the opponent.
Following Rhodes’ 2024 men’s Royal Rumble victory, Rhodes initially declared he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. This led to speculation that The Rock might be stepping in, creating intrigue given The Rock’s legendary status. After negative fan reactions to these developments, Rhodes reversed his stance, leading to The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker The Final Boss, and aligning himself with Reigns.
The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the highly anticipated Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40. The following night, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns in the main event.
When Traina asked Reigns if a future match against The Rock could still be on the table, Reigns indicated that fan demand would play a major role. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he said. The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has yet to clarify his intentions or appear again since.
With an intense WarGames match set between the original and new versions of The Bloodline at Survivor Series, many anticipate that The Rock could make another high-profile appearance soon, potentially setting the stage for an epic showdown with his cousin and former ally, Roman Reigns.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in Joining WWE
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has signaled potential interest in pursuing a career in professional wrestling with WWE. In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, Fury expressed appreciation for WWE Superstars and the organization itself.
Fury praised several wrestlers including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, saying, "Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury has made a name for himself with an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and is notably the only person to defeat YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Given his ties to the boxing world and the Paul family, a potential rivalry or collaboration involving WWE superstar Logan Paul could generate significant crossover interest. WWE fans and analysts are keeping an eye on Tommy Fury as a promising candidate for expanding the company’s mainstream appeal.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Prompts Speculation
Oba Femi, a rising star in WWE’s NXT brand and former North American Champion, has been noticeably absent from the latest NXT tapings. Reports from Fightful Select, cited by Ringside News, note that Femi has not been seen backstage since his recent loss to Tony D’Angelo at the Halloween Havoc event on October 27, 2024. Femi had been on a strong ascent since his televised NXT debut in April 2023, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His title reign lasted a record 272 days, making him one of NXT’s standout champions. However, he lost the championship and subsequent rematch to D’Angelo and has not appeared on NXT television since.
At this point, the reasons behind Femi’s absence are unclear. Possibilities include an injury, a storyline reset following two significant losses, or preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Observers note that when Femi returns, he could be positioned strongly to target the NXT Championship, given his talent and previous achievements.
Looking Ahead
With Roman Reigns hinting that a match with The Rock could still be on the horizon and Tommy Fury exploring WWE opportunities, the company appears poised for exciting storylines blending legacy talents with new contenders. Meanwhile, the future trajectory of Oba Femi remains an intriguing storyline for NXT fans.
WWE enthusiasts will be watching closely as these narratives develop in the weeks and months ahead.