Roman Reigns Shares Thoughts on The Rock and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s Mysterious NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
The WWE Universe continues to buzz with fresh insights and developments as Bleacher Report recaps recent news involving some of the industry’s most prominent figures. From Roman Reigns reflecting on WrestleMania 40 opponents to boxer Tommy Fury hinting at a wrestling career, and NXT star Oba Femi’s unexplained absence stirring rumors, here is a detailed look at the latest headlines.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns, WWE’s reigning “Tribal Chief,” recently opened up about the high-profile WrestleMania 40 main events during an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina. Fans had speculated for months about whether Reigns would clash with legendary cousin The Rock or the determined challenger Cody Rhodes.
When asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns made it clear that his priority was simply being part of the main event spotlight. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” said Reigns, emphasizing that every challenger posed the same threat to his championship reign. “They are trying to stop history from happening. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now.”
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw a dramatic shift in plans. After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially chose not to challenge Reigns, creating space for The Rock to re-enter the scene. However, after fan backlash, Rhodes reversed course, and The Rock turned heel, adopting the new persona “The Final Boss” and forming an alliance with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, only for Rhodes to ultimately capture the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Reigns also addressed the possibility of finally facing The Rock in a future match. Noting the power of the fans’ voice, he stated: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” Although The Rock made a surprise WWE return at Bad Blood last month, his intentions remain unclear, leaving the door open for another high-profile encounter, perhaps at an upcoming event like Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Hints at Potential WWE Career After UK Tour Experience
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at the possibility of transitioning to professional wrestling. Posting a behind-the-scenes video from a recent WWE UK tour stop, Fury shared his positive experience with WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury remarked, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” At 25, Fury sports an undefeated boxing record and is known for his victory over Jake Paul, another crossover personality with ties to wrestling. Given his familial connections and growing participation in WWE-related activities, many observers see potential for a future storyline involving the Fury and Paul brothers, capitalizing on both mainstream appeal and athletic crossover.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Triggers Questions About His Status
Meanwhile, the NXT brand has quietly noticed the absence of former North American Champion Oba Femi, who has not appeared at tapings since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc. According to reports from Fightful Select, Femi has been off television for nearly a month, with no official explanation publicly provided.
Femi burst onto the scene in April 2023 with an impressive run that included winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, the longest reign at 272 days. His back-to-back losses against D’Angelo and subsequent disappearance have spurred speculation regarding injury, potential main roster promotion, or creative decisions aimed at letting his character regroup before a bigger push.
Should Femi return soon, expectations are high that he may challenge for the NXT Championship, possibly positioning him as the next to dethrone current titleholder Trick Williams.
As the WWE landscape evolves, all eyes will be on these stories to unfold in the weeks ahead.
For more on these developments and other wrestling news, listeners can tune into Ring Rust Radio and follow Bleacher Report’s ongoing coverage.