Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, and NXT News on Oba Femi
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, covering Roman Reigns’ thoughts on WrestleMania 40 opponents, potential future matchups, boxer Tommy Fury’s interest in wrestling, and NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence from television.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event: The Rock and Cody Rhodes
In a recent interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experience and the shifting dynamics involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes. When asked about his feelings facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the main event, Reigns stated that it did not impact him as long as he was in the spotlight.
He said, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. 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.”
Earlier, Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially indicated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40 — leading to speculation that The Rock would step into that position. However, fan backlash caused Rhodes to reverse his stance, prompting The Rock to turn heel, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns.
The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, but Rhodes ultimately triumphed over Reigns to capture the WWE Championship on Night 2. Asked about the potential for a future one-on-one match with The Rock, Reigns expressed openness, emphasizing that fan enthusiasm would drive the decision. “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 surprised WWE fans with an unannounced appearance at Bad Blood last month but has not revealed his future plans since. With the ongoing feud between the current and original Bloodline factions set to culminate in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, another Rock appearance could be on the horizon, possibly setting the stage for a much-anticipated clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury has sparked speculation about a crossover into professional wrestling. Fury shared a backstage glimpse on YouTube from a recent WWE tour stop in the United Kingdom, where he mingled with top WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
In the video, Fury expressed gratitude for the hospitality and hinted at a future in wrestling: “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
At 25 years old, Tommy Fury has made a name for himself in boxing with an undefeated 10-0 professional record and is notably the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul. His older brother Tyson Fury had a brief stint with WWE, famously defeating Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and making a memorable impact in the 2022 WWE Clash at the Castle event.
Given Tommy’s ties to the Paul family and Logan Paul’s status as a WWE Superstar, potential rivalries or tag matches pitting the Fury brothers against the Paul brothers could appeal to a wider audience, making Tommy a compelling candidate for WWE recruitment.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Sparks Rumors
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen on NXT programming or backstage at tapings for the past month, according to Fightful Select.
Femi’s last TV appearance was at WWE Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he suffered a defeat to Tony D’Angelo, ending his record-setting 272-day title reign. He also lost a rematch to D’Angelo that night, and has since been absent from the NXT scene.
While the reason for his hiatus remains unclear, it could be a strategic decision by WWE to allow Femi to recover after two high-profile losses or potentially a precursor to a main roster call-up. Alternatively, he might be addressing any undisclosed injuries.
Femi, who debuted on NXT television in April 2023, quickly rose to prominence by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship via cash-in. When he returns, many anticipate he will be positioned to challenge for the NXT Championship and could be poised to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
Stay Updated with Bleacher Report
For more insights and analysis of ongoing WWE storylines and roster developments, including upcoming events like Survivor Series, stay tuned to Bleacher Report. Listen to the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio for hot wrestling topics and predictions.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, PA – April 6, 2024 (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)