Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
In WWE news this week, a variety of developments have captivated fans across the wrestling world. Roman Reigns recently shared his perspective on his WrestleMania 40 opponents The Rock and Cody Rhodes, boxer Tommy Fury teased a potential future in WWE, and former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent programming, sparking speculation about his status. Here’s a detailed look at the latest updates.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Prospects
During a candid interview on Sports Illustrated’s SI Media podcast with host Jimmy Traina, WWE’s top star Roman Reigns discussed his experiences heading into WrestleMania 40 and the evolving storyline involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
Reigns addressed whether he was disappointed not to face The Rock—the legendary “People’s Champ” and his cousin—in the WrestleMania 40 main event, which instead featured Cody Rhodes as his opponent on Night 2. Reigns was clear that his focus was simply being involved in the main event spotlight, regardless of the opponent.
“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 remarked. “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.”
The storyline saw Rhodes win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and initially decline to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, with The Rock seemingly poised to intervene. Following fan backlash over this switch, Rhodes reversed course, prompting The Rock to turn heel, don the moniker “The Final Boss,” and ally with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes ultimately captured the WWE title from Reigns in the main event of Night 2. Looking ahead, Traina asked Reigns about the possibility of a one-on-one match against The Rock in the future. Reigns expressed openness to the idea, but emphasized that such a matchup hinges 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,” Reigns said. “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 unannounced WWE return last month at Bad Blood, although his intentions remain unclear. With the ongoing storyline spotlighting The Bloodline and a major WarGames match scheduled for Survivor Series, many fans are eager to see if The Rock’s presence will signal an eventual showdown with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, gave fans a glimpse of his backstage experience during WWE’s recent UK tour—and hinted that wrestling might be in his future.
In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury shared footage from backstage interactions with WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. He expressed gratitude for the opportunity and left the door open for a possible wrestling career.
“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,” Fury said.
Tommy Fury currently holds an undefeated professional boxing record of 10-0 and is noted as the only man to defeat Jake Paul in the ring. His connection to the Paul family through past matches, combined with his family’s boxing prominence and charisma, could make him a compelling addition to WWE storylines. With Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, already a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, a potential Fury vs. Paul rivalry or even tag team matchups could appeal to a broader mainstream audience.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Fuels Speculation
Fans have noticed that Oba Femi, once a dominant figure in WWE’s NXT brand, has been missing from tapings and television episodes for several weeks. After losing the NXT North American Championship to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, and dropping the subsequent rematch, Femi has been absent from recent NXT programming.
Fightful Select reports that Femi has not been seen backstage at NXT tapings since then, with no official word on the reason for his absence. It remains unclear whether Femi is dealing with an injury, being given time to reset after two high-profile losses, or if WWE is preparing to move him to the main roster.
Femi’s rise has been notable since debuting on NXT television in April 2023. The former University of Alabama shot put athlete won the NXT Breakout Tournament and captured the North American title by defeating Dragon Lee, holding the championship for a WWE-record 272 days.
Upon his eventual return, Femi is expected to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship, given his athleticism and charisma. WWE fans will closely watch for when—and where—he re-emerges in the company’s plans.
In Summary
Roman Reigns remains focused on maintaining his position atop WWE, open to future big-money matchups if the fans demand them, while The Rock’s presence adds intrigue to storylines moving forward. Meanwhile, Tommy Fury’s potential crossover from boxing to WWE could inject fresh enthusiasm into the sport’s entertainment side. Lastly, Oba Femi’s absence from NXT has stirred curiosity, with supporters eager to see his next chapter unfold.
Stay tuned for more updates as these stories develop within the WWE Universe.