Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
WWE’s latest developments have been the focus of much discussion this week, with Roman Reigns offering insights on his recent WrestleMania 40 matches, boxer Tommy Fury hinting at a pro wrestling career, and rising NXT star Oba Femi being notably absent from recent tapings. Here’s an update on the latest from the WWE Universe.
Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40
Roman Reigns, known as The Tribal Chief, appeared on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina and reflected on the shifting dynamics surrounding WrestleMania 40’s main events. Originally, fans anticipated a historic matchup between Reigns and The Rock, his cousin and WWE legend. However, the main event booking changed, with Reigns ultimately facing Cody Rhodes.
When asked whether he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns was unfazed, emphasizing his focus on defending his championship at the top of the card:
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with … 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 at hand for me."
The situation was complicated after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially declined to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania, leading to speculation that The Rock would fill that spot. Fan backlash prompted Rhodes to challenge Reigns, and The Rock turned heel, aligning with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” On Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, Reigns and The Rock defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, Reigns suggested a potential future match against The Rock if fan demand remains high:
“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 at Bad Blood recently but has not clarified his ongoing intentions. With The Bloodline factions set to clash in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, this could present an opportunity for The Rock to reemerge and build toward a long-awaited encounter with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at exploring a career in professional wrestling. Fury shared a YouTube video showing his backstage experiences on a recent WWE UK tour, where he interacted with several WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury commented on the experience with enthusiasm:
“I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?”
Tommy Fury is an undefeated professional boxer (10-0) and notably the only fighter to have defeated internet sensation Jake Paul in the ring. Given his family ties and combat sports background—Tyson Fury wrestled once for WWE and has been involved in WWE events—Tommy’s potential transition to wrestling is already drawing attention.
Fans have speculated that a tag team or rivalry involving the Fury brothers and the Paul brothers (Logan and Jake Paul, both linked to WWE) could draw mainstream interest and provide compelling storytelling opportunities.
Oba Femi Missing from NXT Tapings
A notable absence has been reported in WWE’s NXT brand with former North American Champion Oba Femi not appearing backstage or on screen for about a month. According to Fightful Select, Femi has been out of sight since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at the Halloween Havoc event on October 27. Oba Femi rose quickly through NXT, winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee. However, he then suffered back-to-back losses to D’Angelo, including dropping the title after an impressive 272-day reign.
The reasons for Femi’s recent absence remain unclear. It could be part of a storyline hiatus, an injury recovery period, or a potential call-up preparation to WWE’s main roster. Should he return, Femi remains a strong contender for the NXT Championship and could play a pivotal role in the brand’s future.
Looking Ahead
With WrestleMania 40 behind them, WWE storylines continue to evolve. Roman Reigns is positioned for new challenges, Tommy Fury’s WWE ambitions warrant attention, and developments around Oba Femi will be closely watched by NXT fans. As always, WWE combines athletic competition with compelling storytelling, keeping the Universe engaged and eager for what’s next.
Stay tuned for more updates and insights from Bleacher Report as the WWE landscape continues to shift and develop.