Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, While Tommy Fury Eyes WWE and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Raises Questions
Bleacher Report takes you inside the latest headlines swirling through the WWE Universe, with Roman Reigns discussing high-profile matches, boxer Tommy Fury teasing a WWE future, and NXT’s Oba Femi reportedly missing from recent tapings.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40, Cody Rhodes, and Potential Match with The Rock
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns provided candid insights about the shifting main event plans leading up to WrestleMania 40. The Original Tribal Chief spoke about the decision to have him face Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the eventual marquee match.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns dismissed the notion, emphasizing that being in the main event was what mattered most to him. "I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… It didn’t matter who it is," Reigns said. He described the challenge as defending his championship against opponents intent on stopping history and maintaining his place at WWE’s pinnacle.
Following Cody Rhodes’ surprising win in the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially announced he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, suggesting The Rock would take that spot. However, fan backlash resulted in a last-minute reversal by Rhodes, leading to The Rock turning heel, rebranding as The Final Boss, and joining forces with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while on Night 2, Rhodes claimed the WWE title from Reigns.
The long-anticipated Reigns vs. The Rock dream match did not happen at WrestleMania, prompting Traina to ask Reigns about the possibility of it occurring in the future. Reigns expressed optimism, noting the company’s responsiveness to fans’ passions: "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 return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has since kept his intentions vague. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring different Bloodline factions, speculation is rife that The Rock could reappear, potentially setting the stage for a showdown with his cousin, Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Potential WWE Career Following Backstage Visits
Boxing sensation Tommy Fury hinted at the possibility of exploring professional wrestling, specifically with WWE, during a recent YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE event on their UK tour. Fury shared his admiration for WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, thanking the company for its hospitality.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete… Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them… I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day," Fury remarked, dropping hints about a future wrestling career.
At 25 years old, Tommy is well known for his undefeated 10-0 boxing record and for being the only fighter to defeat YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. His brother, Tyson Fury, is a former world heavyweight boxing champion who had a brief WWE stint, notably winning a match at Crown Jewel in 2019 and famously disrupting Austin Theory’s Money in the Bank cash-in at WWE Clash at the Castle in 2022. Given Tommy’s ties with the Paul brothers and his athletic prowess, wrestling insiders speculate that a possible storyline involving the Fury brothers and Paul brothers could capture mainstream attention, making Tommy a promising candidate for WWE’s expanding roster.
NXT’s Oba Femi Missing from Recent Tapings, Future Plans Unclear
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT television and tapings over the past month, raising questions about his status. According to sources, Femi has not been seen backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Femi had a dominant run in NXT after debuting in April 2023, culminating in winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His title reign stretched an impressive 272 days until D’Angelo ended it last month. Femi also lost a rematch at Halloween Havoc.
While the reason for his current absence is unconfirmed, speculation includes a potential main roster call-up, injury recovery, or creative decisions allowing him time to reset after consecutive losses. In any case, Femi remains a strong contender, especially for the NXT Championship, where he could be poised to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams upon his return.
What’s Next for WWE Fans?
As WWE continues to shift storylines and cast new stars in the spotlight, fans can look forward to:
- Potentially seeing The Rock and Roman Reigns finally clash in a blockbuster match.
- Tommy Fury possibly making his WWE debut, weaving his sports background into wrestling narratives.
- The eventual reemergence of Oba Femi in NXT, aiming for another championship run.
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