Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
In recent WWE news, Roman Reigns, Tommy Fury, and NXT star Oba Femi have been making headlines for various reasons, ranging from recent high-profile matches to potential career moves and unexpected absences. Here’s a breakdown of the latest updates from the WWE Universe.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Prospects
Roman Reigns, also known as The Tribal Chief, recently opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experience and the possibility of facing his cousin, The Rock, in a future WWE match. During an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns addressed the anticipation and speculation surrounding his main event opponent at WrestleMania 40. Initially, WWE seemed undecided whether Reigns would face The Rock or Cody Rhodes at the event’s main stage. Reigns expressed no disappointment at ultimately facing Rhodes, emphasizing that his focus was on being in the main event and defending his championship title. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” Reigns shared. He described the scenario as a challenge to maintain his top spot, acknowledging the efforts of his opponents to dethrone him.
The buildup to WrestleMania 40 saw some twists, notably when Cody Rhodes, after winning the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble, initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This led to speculation that The Rock would face Reigns instead. Fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reconsider, ultimately resulting in The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, before Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about a potential Reigns vs. The Rock match in the future, Reigns acknowledged the possibility, contingent on fan demand. He 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 return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood, though his intentions remain unclear. With an upcoming WarGames match involving The Bloodline at Survivor Series, fans may see The Rock return to WWE action soon, potentially setting the stage for the long-anticipated family showdown.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at an interest in joining WWE. Posting a YouTube video from behind the scenes of a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, Tommy expressed appreciation for the hospitality and support he received from WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He commented, “I look forward to possibly climbing through the ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” Tommy Fury, 25, remains undefeated in professional boxing with a notable victory over Jake Paul, making him a potentially valuable addition to WWE. His family ties to boxing and familiarity with WWE through Tyson Fury, who previously worked with the company, add to the intrigue.
Given Logan Paul’s WWE involvement and the growing Paul-Fury rivalry in boxing, a WWE storyline featuring the Fury brothers opposing the Paul brothers could appeal to mainstream audiences and bring crossover attention to WWE programming.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not appeared on NXT television or backstage at tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports that there has been no indication of his presence at recent NXT shows, sparking speculation about the reason for his absence.
Since debuting on NXT in April 2023, Femi made an immediate impact by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship with a record-breaking reign of 272 days. However, consecutive losses to D’Angelo, including the title defeat, preceded his disappearance from TV.
While the cause of his absence is unconfirmed, possibilities include a strategic break to regroup after his losses, injury, or preparation for a main roster call-up. If and when Femi returns, he is considered a top contender for the NXT Championship and is seen as a strong candidate to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
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