Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchups, Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
The WWE Universe has been buzzing with recent developments involving some of the industry’s notable figures. From Roman Reigns sharing insights about his WrestleMania 40 experiences to boxer Tommy Fury expressing interest in WWE, and rumors swirling around NXT star Oba Femi’s absence, here’s a comprehensive update on the latest happenings in the wrestling world.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 Opponents and The Rock Possibility
During an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns candidly discussed his thoughts on the lead-up to WrestleMania 40, particularly concerning his potential opponents—the legendary The Rock and fellow top star Cody Rhodes.
Reigns revealed that he was unfazed by who he ultimately faced in the main event. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," he said. Reigns emphasized his focus on defending his championship against anyone aiming to dethrone him, noting, "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."
Initially, after winning the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, Cody Rhodes declared he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, opening the door for The Rock’s involvement. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reconsider, which in turn triggered The Rock’s heel turn as "The Final Boss," aligning with Reigns.
Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title by beating Reigns on Night 2. Despite the highly anticipated match between The Rock and Reigns not materializing during the event, Reigns hinted that such a showdown could still be on the horizon if fan demand is strong enough.
"Our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something… If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns remarked.
Notably, The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month without outlining any clear intentions. With the upcoming WarGames match featuring the newer and original Bloodline factions at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock might resurface again, potentially setting the stage for a cousin-versus-cousin clash.
Tommy Fury Teases Interest in WWE Wrestling Career
In other news, British professional boxer Tommy Fury has tantalized WWE fans by dropping hints about a possible future in professional wrestling. Sharing a YouTube video capturing his backstage experiences during WWE’s recent UK tour, Fury met several superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love… I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day," Fury stated enthusiastically.
Fury, 25, is the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who previously made a notable WWE appearance at Crown Jewel 2019 and has engaged in WWE storylines thereafter. Tommy has established his own boxing credentials, remaining undefeated with a 10-0 record and famously handing Jake Paul his first professional boxing defeat.
His ties to the Paul family, with Logan Paul currently a WWE Superstar and ex-United States Champion, might pave the way for intriguing wrestling rivalries or even tag team matches involving the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers, potentially attracting mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Fuels Speculation Amid Recent Setbacks
Meanwhile, from the developmental front, Fightful Select reports that Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen on NXT television or backstage since suffering a loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Femi, who debuted on televised NXT programming in April 2023, quickly climbed the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His 272-day reign ended with a surprising defeat to D’Angelo, followed by a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc.
The reason behind his recent absence remains unclear. It could be a planned break to recover from losses or injuries or a strategic move by NXT officials to allow storylines to progress without him momentarily. There is also speculation that Femi might be preparing for a main roster call-up soon.
When he returns, many view Femi as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, possibly poised to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to WWE programming as these storylines continue to evolve and new developments emerge.
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