Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Future WWE Prospects; Tommy Fury Eyes Wrestling; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Noted
In the ever-evolving landscape of WWE, recent developments have stirred excitement and speculation among fans. Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates involving Roman Reigns’ thoughts on WrestleMania 40 opponents, Tommy Fury’s budding interest in pro wrestling, and intriguing rumors surrounding NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Main Event: The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns, WWE’s reigning “Tribal Chief,” shared candid reflections on his WrestleMania 40 main event experience during an interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina.
Reigns addressed the quandary fans experienced as WWE initially appeared undecided between booking him against wrestling icon The Rock or fan-favorite Cody Rhodes for the marquee event at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. When asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns was clear that the opponent was secondary to being positioned at the top spot:
“It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with, you know. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out… 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.”
The booking saw Rhodes initially win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and then seemingly opt out of challenging Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, fueling speculation that The Rock would take his place. After some fan backlash, Rhodes reversed his decision, resulting in the electrifying heel turn of The Rock as "The Final Boss" and an alliance with Reigns.
The Rock and Reigns teamed up in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40, defeating Rhodes and Seth Rollins, only for Rhodes to capture the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. The long-anticipated one-on-one match between Reigns and The Rock, however, remains unfulfilled.
When probed about a potential Reigns vs. Rock showdown in the future, Reigns responded optimistically:
"I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something… 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 an unexpected return at the Bad Blood event last month but has since remained absent from WWE programming. With an intense WarGames match between the new and original Bloodline factions set for Survivor Series, many speculate that The Rock could reemerge, possibly setting the stage for a monumental clash with his cousin, Roman Reigns.
Tommy Fury Signals Possible WWE Ambitions
Tommy Fury, undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at potential future endeavors within WWE.
During a recent trip backstage at a WWE UK tour stop, Fury shared a YouTube video expressing enthusiasm about meeting WWE talent and possibly breaking into the sports entertainment world:
“Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them… I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?”
While Tommy Fury is primarily known for his unbeaten 10-0 boxing record and his notable victory over Jake Paul, his family ties and crossover appeal make him a compelling potential WWE signing. Fans have speculated on exciting possibilities, including a high-profile rivalry or even tag matches involving the Fury and Paul brothers, enhancing WWE’s mainstream reach.
Oba Femi’s Recent NXT Absence Spurs Speculation
Reports from Fightful Select reveal that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from WWE’s NXT tapings over the past month following his title loss.
Femi, who burst onto the WWE scene in April 2023 and quickly established himself by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and claiming the North American Championship, lost the title to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. After also losing a rematch to D’Angelo, Femi has not appeared on NXT broadcasts since.
The reasons behind his absence remain unclear. It could simply be a strategic decision to give him time off after two significant losses or possibly preparations for a main roster call-up or injury recovery. Regardless, insiders suggest Femi remains a strong contender for the NXT Championship and could soon return as a top-tier competitor aiming to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned as WWE’s storylines and roster dynamics continue to evolve, promising more exciting developments in the months ahead. For ongoing coverage and debates on the latest wrestling news, including deep dives into WWE and AEW happenings, visit Bleacher Report’s wrestling section.
Reporting by Mike Chiari for Bleacher Report