Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Shows WWE Interest; NXT Updates on Oba Femi
The WWE Universe continues buzzing with fresh developments from the pro wrestling world as top stars share insights and new potential talents emerge. Bleacher Report recently caught up with Roman Reigns, who opened up on his WrestleMania 40 main event experience against Cody Rhodes and the possibility of facing his famed cousin, The Rock, down the line. Meanwhile, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a future in WWE, and there are intriguing rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence from television.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Matches
During a recent interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns provided a candid look at the lead-up to WrestleMania 40 and his evolving relationships with both Cody Rhodes and The Rock. While fans initially anticipated a marquee Reigns-versus-Rock showdown, Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and stirred uncertainty when he first declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This led to a switch that saw The Rock turn heel, adopting the moniker "The Final Boss," and aligning with Reigns.
Reigns expressed that it didn’t bother him who he faced at WrestleMania as long as he was in the main event spotlight. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," said Reigns. “They’re trying to stop history from happening. They’re trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
The Night 1 main event witnessed Reigns and The Rock team up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. However, on Night 2, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns to claim the WWE title, foiling the anticipated direct clash between The Rock and Reigns. When asked about the possibility of a future match against The Rock, Reigns remained open, emphasizing fan influence: "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 to WWE programming at last month’s Bad Blood event but has yet to indicate his in-ring intentions. With upcoming high-stakes matches like the WarGames bout featuring The Bloodline at Survivor Series, speculation grows about whether The Rock might return to build anticipation for such a marquee encounter.
Tommy Fury Explores WWE: A New Wrestling Prospect?
Boxing sensation Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently teased a potential career path in WWE. In a YouTube video posted during WWE’s UK tour, Tommy shared footage from backstage where he interacted with stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete," Fury said. "Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury is undefeated with a 10-0 professional boxing record and notably handed Jake Paul his first loss. His connection with the Paul family — with Logan Paul already an established WWE Superstar — positions him as a logical candidate for future crossover storylines or even tag team matchups that could capture a broader audience.
Oba Femi’s Status in NXT: Absence Sparks Rumors
NXT fans have noticed the prolonged absence of former North American Champion Oba Femi from recent tapings and television broadcasts. Fightful Select reports that Femi has not been seen off-screen since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons remain unclear, sparking speculation ranging from injury recovery to potential main roster call-ups or creative breaks.
Femi rose quickly in NXT after debuting in April 2023. He captured the NXT Breakout Tournament and cashed in to defeat Dragon Lee, securing the North American Championship with a record-breaking 272-day reign. However, a surprising title loss to D’Angelo last month, followed by a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc, marked a recent downturn.
Industry watchers believe Femi remains a strong contender for future title pursuits, particularly the NXT Championship currently held by Trick Williams. His hiatus may be a strategic move by NXT officials to refresh his character and storyline momentum ahead of a major push.
Looking Ahead
The intersection of legacy stars like Roman Reigns and The Rock with rising talents such as Tommy Fury and Oba Femi reflect WWE’s dynamic approach to storytelling and talent development. Fans remain eager to see whether The Rock will answer the call for a headline match at future pay-per-views, if Tommy Fury formally enters the wrestling realm, and how Oba Femi will return to action in NXT’s competitive landscape.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for continuous updates and in-depth coverage from the world of professional wrestling.