Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
As the WWE Universe continues to buzz with excitement and speculation, several notable stories have emerged involving some of the company’s key figures. From Roman Reigns’ candid thoughts on WrestleMania 40 opponents to Tommy Fury’s intriguing hints at a WWE career and NXT star Oba Femi’s mysterious absence, here is the latest update on the evolving landscape of WWE.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Future Possibilities with The Rock
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, WWE’s “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns weighed in on his WrestleMania 40 main event experience, where he faced Cody Rhodes instead of the originally rumored showdown with his cousin Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Despite fans’ expectations for a historic Reigns vs. The Rock match, Reigns emphasized that his primary focus was simply being in the main event spotlight.
Reigns explained, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. The task was to defend this thing, whoever the challenger was. They were trying to stop history from happening, so it was the same challenge regardless of the opponent.”
The storyline shift saw Rhodes win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially decline a title shot at WrestleMania, suggesting The Rock would take his place. Following fan backlash, Rhodes reversed his stance, leading to The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and teaming with Reigns to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. On Night 2, Rhodes reclaimed the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns.
When asked about a potential future match with The Rock, Reigns left the door open, noting that fan demand would play a critical role. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns said.
The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance at last month’s Bad Blood event but has yet to reveal his full intentions. With the upcoming Survivor Series featuring an intense WarGames match involving factions of The Bloodline, many expect The Rock to return and possibly lay groundwork for an eventual clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions During UK Tour
In an unexpected crossover between boxing and wrestling, up-and-coming boxer Tommy Fury expressed genuine interest in joining WWE, suggesting he might step into the squared circle one day. Posting a YouTube video from backstage during WWE’s recent UK tour, Fury praised wrestlers like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther for their hospitality while sharing his enthusiasm for the pro wrestling world.
“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 remarked.
Tommy is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, the former heavyweight boxing champion who made a memorable WWE appearance in 2019 at Crown Jewel. Tommy’s undefeated professional boxing record and his victory over high-profile star Jake Paul give him a potential mainstream appeal in WWE storylines. Given Logan Paul’s current status within WWE, a sibling rivalry and/or tag team feud between the Paul and Fury brothers could draw significant fan interest and broaden WWE’s audience further.
Oba Femi’s Quiet Absence from NXT Raises Questions
While the main roster and celebrity crossovers dominate headlines, a key figure in WWE’s NXT brand, Oba Femi, has notably been absent from recent tapings and programming. Since his shocking loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, reports indicate that Femi has not been seen backstage or featured on any NXT broadcasts.
Fightful Select sources suggest that while reasons for Femi’s disappearance remain unclear, it could be a strategic move by WWE to allow the former North American Champion time to reset after two significant defeats. Femi had a strong run since his televised debut in April 2023 that included winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee, maintaining the championship for a record 272 days before his loss to D’Angelo.
There is speculation that Femi’s absence could be related to an injury, a creative reset, or even preparations for a possible main roster promotion. Whichever the case, the talented athlete remains a logical candidate to pursue the NXT Championship upon his anticipated return, potentially playing a pivotal role in the brand’s future storylines.
Looking Ahead
These developments highlight a dynamic period for WWE, where legacy stars like Roman Reigns and The Rock continue to shape the main event scene, promising newcomers like Tommy Fury express interest in joining the fold, and rising NXT talents like Oba Femi remain integral to the company’s evolving narrative. Fans will be watching closely as these stories unfold leading into the major events on the WWE calendar.