Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; NXT Updates on Oba Femi
The WWE Universe is buzzing with several intriguing developments as Roman Reigns opens up about his WrestleMania 40 matches, boxer Tommy Fury hints at a wrestling career, and NXT star Oba Femi remains absent from recent programming. Here’s a detailed look at the latest news shaping professional wrestling.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possible Match Against The Rock
In a recent interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns candidly addressed his experience leading up to WrestleMania 40, where he faced Cody Rhodes after much speculation about a potential showdown with The Rock. Reigns shared that he didn’t mind who he faced as long as he was in the main event spotlight.
Reigns explained, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. They’re trying to stop history from happening, to take us off the pinnacle. It was the same task in hand.”
Initially, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he stated he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, leading to expectations that The Rock might take his place. However, following fan backlash to this apparent switch, Rhodes reversed his stance, The Rock turned heel as “The Final Boss” and allied with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes captured the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of facing The Rock in the future, Reigns was optimistic, pointing out the role fans play in shaping WWE’s direction: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
The Rock recently returned unannounced at WWE’s Bad Blood event, stirring speculation about his future, but as of now, his intentions remain unclear. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring new and original versions of The Bloodline, fans may see The Rock reemerge to build toward a potential clash with his cousin Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations
Tommy Fury, a professional boxer and younger brother of Tyson Fury, has generated excitement by suggesting he might venture into WWE. In a recent YouTube video from a WWE live event in the UK, Fury expressed admiration for WWE Superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. He stated, “Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?”
Tommy Fury, 25, boasts a 10-0 boxing record and notably defeated Jake Paul. His connection to the Paul family and his boxing pedigree make him a promising candidate for WWE, potentially setting up high-profile matches against Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. Such a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” storyline could attract mainstream attention to WWE programming.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT Raises Questions
NXT fans have noticed the recent absence of Oba Femi, the former North American Champion, from shows and tapings over the last month. Sources from Fightful Select indicate Femi has not been backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 2024. The reason behind his absence remains unclear.
Since debuting in April 2023, Femi made an impressive splash by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and cashing in a title opportunity to secure the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. He held the title for a record 272 days before his surprising defeat by D’Angelo last month, followed by a loss in the rematch.
Speculation around Femi’s absence includes potential injury, a main roster call-up, or simply taking time to reset after two tough losses. When he returns, many view him as a strong contender for the NXT Championship and a possible rival to current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report and Ring Rust Radio for continued coverage of these and other wrestling stories as they develop.