Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent Amid Rumors
In the ever-evolving world of WWE, recent developments have kept fans buzzing—from Roman Reigns’ candid interview about WrestleMania 40 to emerging talents and potential future signings. Here’s a detailed update on some of the latest news in WWE.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40 Opponents
Roman Reigns recently sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast, where he discussed the high-profile matchups and storyline twists surrounding WrestleMania 40. Addressing the speculation about facing either The Rock or Cody Rhodes in the event’s main event, Reigns expressed a pragmatic perspective.
When asked if he was disappointed that he ended up facing Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns emphasized that the primary goal was to remain the main event and continue defending the championship. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” he said. “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.”
This clarification sheds light on the backstage fluctuations at WWE leading up to the event, particularly after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This situation led to The Rock’s unexpected heel turn, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and forming an alliance with Reigns. At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed up on Night 1 to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, while on Night 2, Rhodes defeated Reigns to capture the WWE Championship.
Looking ahead, Reigns didn’t close the door on a future clash with The Rock. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he remarked. The Rock, who made a surprise return to WWE programming at the recent Bad Blood event, has yet to officially announce his future plans, but WWE fans are hopeful for a blockbuster showdown between the two cousins.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Boxer Tommy Fury, known for his undefeated professional boxing record and notable victory over Jake Paul, might be eyeing a career in professional wrestling. Recently, Fury shared a backstage video from a WWE UK tour on YouTube, where he mingled with WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
In the video, Fury expressed gratitude toward WWE and hinted at the possibility of stepping inside the ring one day, saying, “I look forward to possibly climbing through [the ropes] one day. Who knows?” Tommy Fury is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, a former world heavyweight boxing champion, who has dabbled in WWE himself—most memorably defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019. Given his boxing background and connections to the Paul family (with Logan Paul currently a WWE Superstar), Tommy Fury could prove to be an exciting addition to the WWE roster, potentially fueling a crossover rivalry or even tag team matchups featuring the Fury and Paul brothers, adding to WWE’s mainstream appeal.
Oba Femi MIA from NXT, Uncertainty Looms
On the NXT front, former North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent tapings and broadcasts, prompting speculation about his status within WWE.
According to Fightful Select, there have been no reports of Femi backstage since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc, where he dropped the North American Championship ending a 272-day reign—a record in NXT history. Femi also lost a rematch shortly thereafter, after which he has not appeared on NXT television.
The reasons for his absence remain unclear. It may indicate time off for recovery, a potential main roster call-up, or simply a storyline reset following significant losses. Femi’s impressive rise since his televised debut in April 2023—including winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and his dominant title run—positions him as a strong contender for future NXT Championship pursuits whenever he returns.
With WWE’s dynamic landscape, fans can expect more surprises and engaging storylines as these narratives develop, from veteran stars to rising talents and potential new entrants to the squared circle. Stay tuned for further updates from the WWE Universe.