Wrestling Update: Roman Reigns on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury’s WWE Aspirations, and NXT’s Oba Femi Rumors
Bleacher Report brings you the latest insights and developments from the WWE Universe, covering Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40, boxing star Tommy Fury’s interest in WWE, and recent rumors about NXT’s Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents: The Rock and Cody Rhodes
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns candidly discussed his experience facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 and the possibility of a future match against The Rock.
Reigns addressed the speculation about whether he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock in the WrestleMania main event. Emphasizing his mindset at the time, Reigns stated he was primarily focused on being in the main event spotlight rather than who his opponent was.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with, you know. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out. 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. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me," Reigns said.
The wrestling world saw notable drama leading up to WrestleMania 40. After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially announced he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, which seemed to leave The Rock as Reigns’ opponent. However, following fan backlash, Rhodes changed course, setting the stage for a storyline where The Rock turned heel, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning himself with Reigns. This alliance led to The Rock and Reigns defeating Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, with Rhodes reclaiming the WWE title from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
When asked if a Rock vs. Reigns match might still be on the cards, Reigns expressed openness to the possibility, contingent on fan interest.
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he remarked.
The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance at the Bad Blood event last month but has remained mostly absent since, leaving fans eager to see if he’ll re-emerge — potentially at the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match where the new and original Bloodline factions clash.
Tommy Fury Teases a Future in WWE Wrestling
Boxer Tommy Fury recently hinted at a potential career path in professional wrestling. In a YouTube video posted from backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Fury shared his excitement about the wrestling world and the possibility of stepping into the ring one day.
Fury, who is younger brother to former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury (who had a WWE match at Crown Jewel 2019), interacted with WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther during the tour. He expressed gratitude and optimism:
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury, undefeated in his professional boxing career with a 10-0 record and known for being the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul, could be a compelling WWE addition. His connection to the Paul family and his athletic background position him well as a potential wrestling star and a future adversary for Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from NXT tapings over the past month, sparking speculation about his current status.
According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at the Halloween Havoc event on October 27. The reasons for his absence remain unclear — possibilities include taking time off to recalibrate after consecutive losses, dealing with injury, or being prepped for a main roster call-up.
Femi made a major impact when he debuted on NXT television in April 2023, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and cashing in on Dragon Lee to win the North American Championship. His 272-day reign was the longest in that title’s history before dropping it to D’Angelo last month.
If and when Femi returns to action, many expect him to be a serious contender for the NXT Championship and a strong candidate to challenge Trick Williams.
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