Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; NXT’s Oba Femi Reportedly Absent
In recent developments within the WWE Universe, several key figures have been making headlines. Roman Reigns shared insights about his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a potential pro wrestling future, and NXT star Oba Femi has been notably absent from television tapings. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these stories.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Possible Rock Clash
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, where he discussed his WrestleMania 40 main event experience and his thoughts on facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock. Despite WWE initially switching between having Reigns face Rhodes or The Rock, Reigns said the opponent did not matter to him as long as he was in the main event spotlight.
Reigns told SI’s Jimmy Traina:
"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. 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’re 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 did not plan to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, leading to speculation that The Rock would challenge Reigns instead. However, due to fan backlash, Rhodes ultimately faced Reigns at WrestleMania 40, while The Rock turned heel to align with Reigns. At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, but Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title from Reigns in the main event of Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future match against The Rock, Reigns suggested it depends on fan demand:
"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 have a vision for where we’re trying to go, but we know who the consumers are. We know who’s paying their hard-earned money, and we want to satisfy those people. If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen."
The Rock, who made an unannounced return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month, has yet to clarify his intentions or appear again since. With the Bloodline and its factions battling at Survivor Series in a WarGames match, speculation rises that The Rock could reemerge and possibly set the stage for a clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Potential WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a future in WWE. In a recent YouTube video posted backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Tommy expressed enthusiasm about the WWE environment and gratitude for the welcome he received from top stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He commented:
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. 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, 25, remains undefeated in boxing with a record of 10-0 and is notably the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul. His brother Tyson also has WWE experience, having wrestled Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and made a memorable impact at WWE Clash at the Castle in 2022 by knocking out Austin Theory.
Given Tommy’s connection to the Paul brothers and his rising fame, he could be a compelling addition to WWE storylines, potentially facing Logan Paul or even teaming with Tyson Fury for high-profile matches.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion known for his dominant debut and reign, has not been seen in NXT tapings for the past month, according to Fightful Select. Since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, reports indicate Femi has not been backstage, and no explanation for his absence has been disclosed.
Femi’s NXT journey began in April 2023, quickly gaining momentum by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee. His title reign lasted a record-setting 272 days before Tony D’Angelo ended it last month. Femi also lost a rematch at Halloween Havoc.
His absence could stem from several factors such as an injury, a planned call-up to WWE’s main roster, or simply a storyline reset after two high-profile losses. When he returns, many expect Femi to be a top contender for the NXT Championship, positioning him as a key player in the brand’s future.
As WWE season shifts and new storylines emerge, these developments around Roman Reigns, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi underscore the dynamic nature of the wrestling world heading into 2025. Fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on possible future matchups and the evolving trajectory of rising stars and established icons alike.