Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
The WWE Universe has been buzzing with fresh developments involving some of the industry’s top stars. In recent interviews and reports, Roman Reigns shared candid thoughts about his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a possible wrestling career, and questions surround Oba Femi’s recent absence from NXT programming. Here is the latest from the WWE world.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchup and The Rock Possibility
During an insightful interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE’s Tribal Chief Roman Reigns spoke at length about the evolving storyline that led him to face Cody Rhodes rather than The Rock at WrestleMania 40. Asked if he was disappointed not to have faced The Rock in the main event, Reigns made it clear that the opponent didn’t matter as long as he headlined the event.
“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,” Reigns said, emphasizing that his focus was on defending his championship against whoever challenged him.
The buildup to WrestleMania 40 was marked by a dramatic back-and-forth. After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and initially declined to challenge Reigns, The Rock appeared to be the slated opponent. However, fan backlash to the sudden shift prompted Rhodes to reverse course, resulting in The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and teaming with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns won the Night 1 main event tag match against Rhodes and Seth Rollins, but Rhodes ultimately defeated Reigns for the WWE Championship on Night 2. When questioned about the possibility of an eventual Reigns vs. The Rock match, the Tribal Chief indicated that such a showdown could materialize if the fans demand it. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns commented, highlighting WWE’s fan-responsive nature.
The Rock made his surprise return in late October at Bad Blood but has yet to reveal his long-term intentions with the company. With the upcoming Survivor Series event featuring a high-stakes WarGames match involving different Bloodline factions, speculation is mounting about a potential Rock cameo that could set the stage for a future clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases an Interest in WWE Career
Boxing star Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently signaled a possible future in professional wrestling. Captured in a YouTube video backstage during WWE’s U.K. tour, Tommy expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown by WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” Tommy said, hinting at his wrestling ambitions.
Tommy Fury has made waves in boxing with a perfect 10-0 record and is known for defeating Jake Paul, who alongside his brother Logan Paul has starred within WWE storylines. Given Tommy’s ties to the Paul family and his emerging popularity, WWE could find intriguing storytelling opportunities in a potential program involving the Fury brothers and the Paul brothers, appealing to mainstream audiences.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Meanwhile, former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared at NXT tapings or broadcasts for over a month, following successive losses to Tony D’Angelo at WWE Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports there have been no indications as to the reason for his absence.
Since debuting on NXT TV in April 2023, Femi quickly rose through the ranks by winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee. His title reign lasted a record-setting 272 days before the recent loss. While no official explanation has been provided, theories range from time off for recovery, a potential call-up to WWE’s main roster, or a creative reset following two high-profile defeats.
Speculation suggests that when he returns, Femi could be positioned as a contender for the NXT Championship, continuing his trajectory as one of WWE’s promising rising stars.
In Summary
Roman Reigns remains focused on defending his legacy regardless of opponent, Tommy Fury appears open to exploring a wrestling future, and Oba Femi’s current hiatus from NXT is fueling intrigue about what lies ahead. As WWE continues to evolve storylines and develop fresh talent, fans can expect several exciting new chapters unfolding in the coming weeks and months. Stay tuned for more updates from the WWE Universe.