Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future, and NXT’s Oba Femi Remains Absent
In recent developments from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40, while boxer Tommy Fury expressed potential interest in joining WWE. Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from programming for several weeks, sparking speculation about his status.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 and the Possibility of a Future Match with The Rock
Roman Reigns, the dominant figurehead of WWE, spoke candidly during an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina about the last-minute changes surrounding his WrestleMania 40 main event opponent. Initially, there was uncertainty whether Reigns would face The Rock, his real-life cousin and WWE legend, or Cody Rhodes, who had won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble.
Reigns shared that facing either competitor did not affect his mindset, emphasizing that his focus was on defending the WWE Championship as the company’s top star. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. We just need to get there and defend this thing,” said Reigns. He added that those trying to dethrone him were simply attempting to halt his historic reign atop WWE.
A backstory to the main event scenario unfolded after Rhodes initially stated he would not challenge Reigns at WrestleMania, leading fans to anticipate a showdown between Reigns and The Rock. However, following fan backlash, Rhodes reversed his stance, and The Rock turned heel as “The Final Boss,” aligning himself with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, and Rhodes ultimately defeated Reigns on Night 2 to capture the WWE Championship.
Traina asked if a Reigns versus The Rock match could still happen in the future. Reigns indicated it remained a possibility, contingent on fan demand. “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 recently made a surprise return at the Bad Blood event but has yet to clarify future plans. With The Bloodline factions set to clash in a high-stakes WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock could reemerge to continue the family rivalry storyline.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has fueled rumors about a future in professional wrestling. During a YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE UK tour stop, Tommy was seen interacting with several WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury expressed appreciation for the wrestling community and cryptically remarked on the possibility of joining WWE. “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” he said with optimism. This hint aligns with Tyson Fury’s past involvement with WWE, including his one-match victory at Crown Jewel 2019 and his recent appearances impacting storylines.
Tommy Fury boasts a professional boxing record of 10-0 and holds the distinction of defeating Jake Paul. Given his connections to the Paul family, he could be positioned as a compelling wrestling opponent for Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar. The prospect of Fury brothers versus Paul brothers in the ring could attract broader mainstream interest in WWE programming.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious Absence from NXT
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion and winner of the 2023 NXT Breakout Tournament, has not been seen on NXT television or backstage since his loss at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports that there has been no indication of his presence at recent tapings, leaving his status uncertain.
Femi’s absence comes after consecutive high-profile defeats to Tony D’Angelo, including the loss of his 272-day title reign. It is unclear whether Femi is dealing with injuries, being prepped for a main roster call-up, or simply taking time away from TV to reset following the losses.
Upon return, Femi is expected to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship due to his proven talent and dominant history in the brand. His absence has left NXT fans eager to see what the next chapter will hold for the young powerhouse.
WWE continues to evolve its storylines and talent roster, with Reigns, Fury, and Femi among the notable figures contributing to the ongoing drama inside and outside the squared circle. Fans will be watching closely as these narratives develop in the coming weeks.