Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
Bleacher Report has captured the latest buzz from the WWE Universe, spotlighting Roman Reigns’ thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer-turned-wrestling hopeful Tommy Fury, and NXT rising star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE superstar Roman Reigns shared candid reflections on the build-up to WrestleMania 40, notably addressing the shifting plans surrounding his main event opponent. The event initially seemed poised to showcase Reigns against The Rock, but after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, the plans temporarily pivoted, leading to Rhodes challenging Reigns instead.
When asked if he was disappointed about facing Rhodes rather than The Rock, Reigns was clear that the opponent did not matter to him as long as he was the centerpiece. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… We just need to get there and defend this thing,” Reigns said, underscoring his focus on retaining the championship.
The storyline saw unexpected twists, including The Rock turning heel and aligning with Reigns as “The Final Boss,” culminating in a tag team victory over Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. However, Rhodes ultimately defeated Reigns for the WWE Championship in the main event on Night 2. Looking ahead, Reigns suggested a future clash with The Rock remains a possibility if fans vocally express their desire for it. “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 made a surprise WWE appearance at last month’s Bad Blood pay-per-view, stirring speculation about building toward a future showdown with his cousin Reigns.
Tommy Fury Considers a Foray into WWE
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, hinted at exploring a wrestling career with WWE. In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE UK tour event, Fury expressed enthusiasm after meeting WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” he remarked.
Tommy Fury’s undefeated boxing record (10-0), including his notable victory over Jake Paul, combined with the familial WWE connection via Tyson Fury’s 2019 royal rumble match at Crown Jewel and high-profile appearances, position him well for crossover appeal. With Logan Paul already performing as a WWE Superstar, a potential rivalry—or even tag match—between the Fury and Paul brothers could attract wide mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious Disappearance from NXT Programming
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared on NXT television since suffering back-to-back losses to Tony D’Angelo at the October 27 Halloween Havoc event, according to Fightful Select. His absence from tapings over the past month remains unexplained.
Since debuting in April 2023, Femi quickly rose through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship in a memorable title cash-in. His 272-day reign set a new milestone before losing the title unexpectedly last month.
Potential reasons for Femi’s hiatus range from storyline recalibration and injury management to a possible elevation to WWE’s main roster. Wrestling insiders note that his return could position him as a prime contender for the NXT Championship, potentially challenging current champion Trick Williams.
Looking Ahead
With WWE programming continuing to evolve, fans can anticipate intriguing developments: Roman Reigns potentially reigniting a rivalry with The Rock, Tommy Fury’s possible transition into pro wrestling, and Oba Femi’s reemergence shaping NXT’s future landscape.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest updates and analysis across WWE and the broader wrestling world.