Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future, and NXT’s Oba Femi Reportedly Absent
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, major stars continue to make headlines with revelations, potential signings, and unexplained absences. Bleacher Report’s latest WWE coverage highlights Roman Reigns’ candid reflections on his WrestleMania 40 matches and The Rock, a boxing star hinting at wrestling aspirations, and fresh rumors surrounding an NXT standout’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Discusses Facing Cody Rhodes and The Rock at WrestleMania 40
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns spoke openly about the shifts in headline opponents for WrestleMania 40. Initially, it appeared Reigns would face The Rock in the marquee event; however, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, plans changed multiple times. Rhodes initially declared that he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, which led to The Rock’s anticipated return as a challenger.
Due to fan backlash, Rhodes reversed his stance, and The Rock transitioned to a heel persona—dubbed The Final Boss—forming an alliance with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Asked whether he was disappointed not to have faced The Rock directly, Reigns expressed that the opponent was secondary to the significance of main-event status. “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,” Reigns said.
Looking ahead, Reigns suggested that a future match with The Rock remains possible if the fanbase demands it. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he noted.
Tommy Fury Hints at Potential WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, is teasing a possible leap from the boxing ring into WWE. In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage during WWE’s United Kingdom tour, Fury expressed his appreciation for the wrestlers and hinted at future involvement.
He remarked, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury’s close ties to the Paul family—he is known for being the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul—and Tyson’s previous WWE appearances add to the intrigue. Tyson Fury famously wrestled Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and incidentally interfered in a Money in the Bank cash-in attempt at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022. With Logan Paul currently active in WWE, a potential Paul brothers versus Fury brothers storyline could draw mainstream interest and broaden WWE’s appeal.
Oba Femi Missing From NXT Following Recent Loss
In other WWE news, NXT star Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent tapings and programming. According to reports from Fightful Select, Femi has not been present since his defeat by Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Femi rose quickly in NXT after his televised debut in April 2023, capturing the North American Championship by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and then cashing in a title opportunity against Dragon Lee. His title reign lasted a record 272 days before being ended by D’Angelo.
The reasons for Femi’s current absence remain unclear—whether he is recovering from injury, being given time off, or possibly preparing for a move to WWE’s main roster. Given his strong run, many speculate that he could soon return to challenge for the NXT Championship, possibly positioning him as a prime contender to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
As WWE continues to build narratives and develop talent across its brands, these updates provide fans with a glimpse at the complex storytelling and potential future directions in the wrestling world.
For more wrestling news, analysis, and rumors, stay tuned to Bleacher Report and catch the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio.