Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE; NXT Star Oba Femi Reportedly Absent
Bleacher Report’s latest WWE update offers new insights into the ongoing storylines and roster developments within WWE, focusing on Roman Reigns’ thoughts about WrestleMania 40, Tommy Fury’s potential WWE future, and the recent absence of NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Comments on Facing Cody Rhodes Instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated podcast with Jimmy Traina, where he discussed the main event scenario for WrestleMania 40, particularly addressing the anticipation around whether he would face his cousin, The Rock, or challenger Cody Rhodes.
Reigns conveyed that the exact opponent was secondary to the significance of holding the main event spotlight. When asked if he was disappointed to wrestle Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns stated, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. It’s where, we just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening.”
The buildup to WrestleMania 40 involved multiple shifts: after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, seemingly paving the way for The Rock to step in. However, fans reacted negatively to this development, prompting Rhodes to reverse course and challenge Reigns after all. This led to The Rock turning heel as "The Final Boss" and aligning with Reigns. On Night 1 of WrestleMania, Reigns and The Rock teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins, but Rhodes recaptured the WWE title by beating Reigns in the main event of Night 2. Regarding the possibility of a future Reigns vs. The Rock match, Reigns expressed optimism, noting fan interest is a key factor: “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 WWE return last month at Bad Blood but has not committed to any upcoming matches. With major Bloodline storylines heating up, especially at Survivor Series, fans could potentially see a renewed build toward a clash between these two WWE giants.
Boxer Tommy Fury Teases WWE Aspirations After Backstage Visit
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of Tyson Fury, hinted at a possible wrestling career with WWE following a backstage visit to a WWE event in the United Kingdom. In a YouTube video, Fury praised WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, sharing appreciation for the hospitality he received.
He said, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” Tommy Fury, undefeated in professional boxing and known as the only boxer to have beaten Jake Paul, could bring an intriguing crossover appeal to WWE. His connection to the Paul family and Tyson Fury’s past WWE involvement add further intrigue to his potential wrestling venture.
A storyline featuring the Fury family against the Paul brothers—Logan Paul being an active WWE Superstar—could capture mainstream attention and create fresh matchups WWE fans have not seen before.
NXT Star Oba Femi Absent Following Recent Losses
Oba Femi, once a dominant presence in NXT and the former North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from the brand’s tapings since late October. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been spotted backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
Femi’s absence is currently unexplained; possibilities include receiving time off to reset after consecutive defeats or preparing for a main roster call-up. Femi, who debuted on TV in April 2023, famously captured the NXT Breakout Tournament and held the North American Championship for a record 272 days before losing to D’Angelo.
While away from television, Femi is viewed as a strong claimant for the NXT Championship upon his return and could assume a central role in upcoming NXT storylines.
Looking Ahead
With Roman Reigns open to a future showdown with The Rock, Tommy Fury’s potential WWE involvement on the horizon, and NXT’s Oba Femi poised for a possible resurgence, the WWE Universe has several exciting developments to watch closely.
Stay tuned for updates on these stories and more from the world of professional wrestling.