Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
Bleacher Report’s latest WWE coverage brings updates on some of professional wrestling’s most talked-about figures, including Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40, boxer Tommy Fury’s budding interest in WWE, and reports on Oba Femi’s recent absence from NXT programming.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and Potential Rock Match
In a revealing interview on the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about his experiences regarding WrestleMania 40’s main event storyline. Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns addressed the fan speculation and company deliberation between booking him against The Rock or Cody Rhodes.
Reigns expressed that he was focused solely on being in the WrestleMania main event and was unfazed by the opponent swap:
"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."
After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, which seemingly positioned The Rock for a high-profile title match. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse his stance, leading to The Rock turning heel as The Final Boss and aligning with Reigns.
During WrestleMania’s two-night spectacle, The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1. Then on Night 2, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns to capture the WWE Championship.
On the topic of a potential future one-on-one match with his cousin and legendary figure, The Rock, Reigns indicated that fan interest could be a decisive factor:
"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 at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has been absent since. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring both new and original factions of The Bloodline, speculation is rife that The Rock could re-emerge to build a long-anticipated showdown with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Tommy Fury, professional boxer and brother of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, has teased a possible path into WWE. In a recent YouTube video shot backstage during WWE’s UK tour, he mingled with well-known WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury shared:
"Big up to 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."
Although primarily known for his unbeaten boxing career and notable victory over Jake Paul, Tommy Fury’s wrestling potential is underscored by family ties — his brother Tyson had a memorable WWE appearance at Crown Jewel in 2019. Fury’s connection to the Paul family and his athletic background position him well for WWE storylines, potentially even leading to a highly marketable feud involving Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious NXT Hiatus Continues
Oba Femi, a former NXT North American Champion, has been notably absent from WWE’s NXT tapings for over a month. Following his defeat to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, sources indicate Femi has not been seen backstage since, sparking speculation among fans and insiders.
Femi, who debuted on NXT television in April 2023, made a quick ascent by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee. He held the title for a record 272 days before losing it to D’Angelo in a surprise outcome last month, then suffered a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc.
There has been no official word on the reason for Femi’s absence. Possibilities include a planned break after consecutive losses, injury concerns, or preparations for a larger role, possibly on WWE’s main roster. Wrestling observers see him as a prime contender for the NXT Championship upon his return, potentially positioning him as the one to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
What’s Next in WWE?
The WWE Universe continues to buzz with intrigue as these storylines evolve. Roman Reigns’ outlook on legacy and rivalry, Tommy Fury’s potential foray into professional wrestling, and Oba Femi’s status all hint at exciting developments ahead.
For continued updates, Tune into Ring Rust Radio and keep an eye on Bleacher Report for the latest WWE news and analysis.
Photo caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock after their tag match victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, PA — WWE/Getty Images