WWE Updates: Roman Reigns on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury’s WWE Interest, and NXT’s Oba Femi Rumors
Bleacher Report brings the latest news ripples from the WWE Universe, including Roman Reigns’ candid thoughts on WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s budding interest in WWE, and speculations surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Future Rock Match Possibility
Roman Reigns sat down with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina on the SI Media podcast recently and opened up about his experience at WrestleMania 40, where he faced Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock. The WWE Universal Champion shared he was indifferent about his opponent, as long as he held the main event spotlight.
Reigns remarked, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… They are trying to stop history from happening, trying to take us off the pinnacle… It was the same task in hand for me.”
The situation unfolded after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 Royal Rumble but initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. This led to speculation that The Rock would headline instead. However, skeptical fan reaction prompted Rhodes to reverse course, culminating in The Rock turning heel, adopting “The Final Boss” persona, and teaming with Reigns to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. Ultimately, Rhodes won the WWE title from Reigns during Night 2’s main event.
Addressing potential for a future Reigns vs. The Rock showdown, Roman expressed openness contingent on fan demand: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
Since The Rock’s surprise return at the recent Bad Blood event, his WWE storyline direction remains uncertain. With the upcoming WarGames match featuring new and original iterations of The Bloodline at Survivor Series, many are hopeful for The Rock’s reappearance and eventual clash with his cousin Reigns.
Tommy Fury Flirts with the Idea of Joining WWE
British professional boxer Tommy Fury has hinted at a potential venture into wrestling after attending a WWE event during the company’s UK tour. Posting on YouTube, Fury recounted his enjoyable backstage experience meeting WWE stars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He said, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy, younger brother to former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who previously competed once for WWE at Crown Jewel 2019, remains undefeated in boxing with a 10-0 record. Notably, he holds the distinction of being the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul, who has since transitioned into WWE.
Given Tommy Fury’s connections and athletic background, WWE might explore booking him down the line, especially as a potential rival to the Paul brothers, notably WWE star Logan Paul. A Fury versus Paul sibling feud could attract mainstream attention beyond traditional wrestling fans.
Oba Femi’s Quiet Stint in NXT Fuels Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen on WWE NXT programming for over a month, raising eyebrows among fans and insiders. According to Fightful Select, Femi has been absent from backstage tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at the Halloween Havoc event on October 27. The reason for Femi’s disappearance is unclear. It could be a strategic break following two consecutive high-profile losses – losing the North American title to D’Angelo, ending his dominant 272-day reign, and dropping the rematch at Halloween Havoc.
Since debuting on NXT in April 2023, Femi quickly gained momentum by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship. His hiatus might signal anything from rest and recovery, preparations for a main roster call-up, or creative team recalibration.
Fans anticipate a strong comeback for Femi, potentially positioning him as a top contender for the NXT Championship, maybe even as the one to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned for More
For ongoing coverage of WWE news, including grading Raw in Paris, star rankings, and SummerSlam predictions, keep an eye on Bleacher Report’s wrestling section. Wrestling enthusiasts can also listen to Ring Rust Radio for deeper discussions about current wrestling topics.
Photo Caption:
Roman Reigns and The Rock look back at the ring after their victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia. (WWE/Getty Images)
This wave of updates reflects a dynamic and evolving WWE landscape, with storied veterans like The Rock still relevant, crossover stars like Tommy Fury showing interest, and emerging talents like Oba Femi drawing curiosity about their trajectories.