Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Considers WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE universe, delving into Roman Reigns’ thoughts on his recent WrestleMania 40 matches, insights on boxer Tommy Fury’s burgeoning interest in pro wrestling, and intrigue surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence from television tapings.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About Facing The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40
In a candid interview on the SI Media podcast, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns shared his perspective regarding the evolving main event plans for WrestleMania 40, which ultimately saw him face Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock.
Asked by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina whether he was disappointed not to wrestle his cousin The Rock, Reigns remained unfazed, emphasizing his focus on being the main event and defending his title 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," Reigns stated. "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."
Originally, after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he had declared he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, paving the way for The Rock to step in as a challenger. However, fan backlash prompted a last-minute switch back to a Reigns-Rhodes showdown. This development coincided with The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2’s main event. Though the long-anticipated matchup between Reigns and The Rock did not come to fruition, Reigns suggested the bout remains a possibility if fans vocally demand it.
"I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if fans are loud enough and passionate, we can make something happen," 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 a surprise return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood but has not yet revealed his intentions or made further appearances. With Survivor Series’ WarGames match featuring The Bloodline conflict set for Saturday, speculation surrounds a potential return and renewed build toward a clash with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions Following UK Tour Experience
Rising boxing star Tommy Fury, younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at a possible future in WWE during a backstage visit to the company’s UK tour.
In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury showcased his encounter with WWE talent, praising stars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. Expressing appreciation for the hospitality, Fury said:
“I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, who remains undefeated in boxing with a 10-0 record and is notably the only person to defeat Jake Paul, has family ties to WWE through his brother Tyson. Tyson Fury previously wrestled at Crown Jewel 2019, defeating Braun Strowman by count-out, and famously interrupted an Austin Theory Money in the Bank cash-in attempt at Clash at the Castle 2022. Given Tommy’s crossover appeal and his relationship with the Paul family, WWE could leverage such connections to interest a broader mainstream fanbase. Potential storylines involving tag matches featuring the Fury brothers facing the Paul brothers are already a fan consideration.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Raises Questions Among Fans
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings since his recent loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports there has been no indication of Femi’s backstage presence in over a month. While the reasons for his absence remain unconfirmed, possibilities include a break to regroup after consecutive losses or a strategic decision to withhold him from television temporarily.
Since debuting on NXT in April 2023, Femi enjoyed a dominant trajectory, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by cashing in on Dragon Lee. His 272-day title reign was a record duration before D’Angelo ended it last month.
Some speculate Femi’s hiatus could precede a call-up to the WWE main roster or be related to injury. Alternatively, it may be a storyline-driven pause to build anticipation for a future title run, potentially targeting the NXT Championship from current champion Trick Williams.
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