Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi’s NXT Status Uncertain
In an extensive discussion on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, WWE superstar Roman Reigns shared his perspectives on recent events involving career-defining matches, the possibility of future encounters with WWE legend The Rock, and the evolving landscape of WWE talent. Meanwhile, boxing sensation Tommy Fury hinted at a potential future in professional wrestling, and rising NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence has sparked curiosity among fans.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Future Clash with The Rock
Roman Reigns, known as The Original Tribal Chief, addressed the shifting dynamics leading up to WrestleMania 40 during an interview with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. Reigns revealed he was unconcerned with whether his opponent would be Cody Rhodes or The Rock, emphasizing his focus on being in the main event spotlight.
"It doesn’t matter to me," Reigns said. "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 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."
This statement came amid the dramatic lead-up to the two-night WrestleMania event in Philadelphia, where the WWE Universe witnessed The Rock and Reigns teaming up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, followed by Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Following the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble victory by Cody Rhodes, it was initially anticipated that The Rock would challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. However, fan backlash led to a quick reversal, culminating in The Rock turning heel, adopting the persona “The Final Boss,” and aligning with Reigns—a storyline that energized the main event scene.
When asked about the possibility of a future one-on-one match against The Rock, Reigns indicated that fan demand would play a significant role. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he said. The Rock, who made a surprise WWE return last month at Bad Blood, has yet to clarify his intentions or return to programming since.
The prospect of The Rock’s involvement in the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match between the new and original versions of The Bloodline could set the stage for a future showdown between the two cousins.
Tommy Fury Teases WWE Interest Following Backstage Visit to WWE UK Tour
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, is showing signs of interest in a WWE career. In a recent YouTube video, Fury documented his backstage experience during WWE’s UK tour, expressing admiration for the company and its talent, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury said.
Tommy Fury’s comments have intrigued wrestling fans as he carries his own boxing accolades, notably being the only person to defeat YouTube star-turned-boxer Jake Paul. His potential crossover into WWE could create fascinating matchups, particularly against Logan Paul, who has an established WWE presence. The idea of a Fury brothers versus Paul brothers rivalry would certainly attract mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Raises Questions
Turning to WWE’s developmental brand, Fightful Select reported that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi secured a strong foothold by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and claiming the North American Championship after cashing in on Dragon Lee. His reign lasted a record-breaking 272 days before a surprise defeat to D’Angelo. Following a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc, Femi has not appeared on NXT programming.
While the reason for his absence remains unclear, speculation includes time to recover from losses, potential injury, or preparations for a main roster call-up. Regardless, Femi remains a formidable competitor and a logical contender for the NXT Championship, with many viewing him as a prime candidate to dethrone current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report and other leading wrestling news sources for updates as these stories develop in the evolving WWE Universe.