Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Career; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
In recent updates from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns has shared candid thoughts about his WrestleMania 40 main event experience with Cody Rhodes and The Rock. Meanwhile, boxing star Tommy Fury has hinted at a possible future with WWE, and NXT star Oba Femi’s absence from recent tapings has raised questions among fans and insiders.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchups and The Rock Possibility
During an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, hosted by Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns opened up about the lead-up to WrestleMania 40 and the shifting plans involving Cody Rhodes and his cousin, The Rock. Reigns was asked if he felt disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, a match highly anticipated by fans.
Reigns was straightforward in his response: "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. It didn’t matter who it is. 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."
Initially, after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he indicated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, seemingly paving the way for The Rock to take that spot. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reverse course, and The Rock responded by turning heel, adopting the moniker The Final Boss and aligning himself with Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event. The following night, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns in the main event.
When asked about the potential for a future match between himself and The Rock, Reigns was optimistic yet measured: "I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something, we’re a company who—we’re not being dictated to. We know who the consumers are… 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 last month at WWE’s Bad Blood event but has yet to clarify his future direction. With an ongoing WarGames match feud involving different factions of The Bloodline at Survivor Series, fans speculate The Rock may soon play a larger role, possibly culminating in a showdown with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE
In other news, British boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a potential career in professional wrestling. Posting behind-the-scenes video content from WWE’s UK tour on YouTube, Tommy praised WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He said, "Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury is undefeated with a 10-0 boxing record and is notably the only boxer to have beaten internet celebrity boxer Jake Paul. His connections and rivalry with the Paul family—particularly Logan Paul, who is an active WWE Superstar—could make Tommy a compelling addition to WWE programming, potentially setting up engaging storylines.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Fuels Speculation
Meanwhile, former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not been seen on NXT television or backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports there have been no indications of Femi at recent tapings, leaving his current status unclear.
Femi, who made an impressive televised debut in April 2023 by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, lost his title after a record 272-day reign to D’Angelo. Following two consecutive losses to D’Angelo, it appears WWE may be giving Femi time off to regroup.
Speculation includes potential injury, a planned main roster call-up, or a storyline reset to rebuild momentum. When he returns, Femi is widely regarded as a strong contender for the NXT Championship and a key figure in the brand’s future.
As the WWE landscape evolves with returning legends, new talents, and potential crossover stars from other sports, the WWE Universe can expect exciting developments ahead. Fans are advised to stay tuned for official announcements regarding these stories.