WWE News Update: Roman Reigns Speaks on The Rock and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent
Roman Reigns, WWE’s ongoing storyline focal point, recently opened up about his WrestleMania 40 main event opponent, potential future bouts, and more during an insightful interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast. Meanwhile, boxer Tommy Fury intrigued fans by hinting at a possible future in professional wrestling with WWE. Additionally, rumors have sparked around NXT star Oba Femi, who has been notably absent from recent programming. Here’s a detailed breakdown of these latest developments in the WWE Universe.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Including The Rock and Cody Rhodes
During his conversation with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns discussed the shifting dynamics leading up to his WrestleMania 40 showdown. Originally, fans anticipated a high-profile match between Reigns and The Rock, the wrestling legend and Reigns’ cousin. However, WWE decided to pit Reigns against Cody Rhodes for the WrestleMania 40 title bout.
Reigns revealed that he was indifferent to whether he faced The Rock or Rhodes, stating, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with." He emphasized that regardless of the challenger, his focus remained on defending his championship against anyone trying to stop his historic reign.
The storyline around WrestleMania 40 saw several twists: Cody Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, which opened the door for The Rock to step into the title picture. However, fan backlash resulted in Rhodes reversing his decision days later, and The Rock turned heel, becoming "The Final Boss" to align himself with Reigns. On WrestleMania Night 1, The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins, before Rhodes ultimately won the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future Reigns vs. The Rock match, Roman suggested it could happen if the fanbase desires it enough. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns said.
The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance last month at Bad Blood but did not announce future plans. With upcoming big matches such as the WarGames encounter at Survivor Series featuring different iterations of The Bloodline, speculation remains that The Rock could return to escalate his feud with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Interest in WWE Pro Wrestling Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at exploring career opportunities with WWE. Sharing a video from backstage at a WWE event in the United Kingdom, Fury expressed appreciation for WWE stars and the company’s hospitality.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation," Fury said.
He left the door open for a potential wrestling future, stating, "I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Given Tyson Fury’s sporadic WWE involvement, including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and a notable interference at Clash at the Castle 2022, Tommy’s entrance into WWE could attract mainstream attention. Notably, Tommy’s victory over Jake Paul and close ties to the Paul family add intriguing potential storylines—especially with Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar, as a possible future rival or ally.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, a prominent NXT talent and former North American Champion, has not appeared on NXT programming for approximately a month. His last televised match ended in a defeat against Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 2024. Fightful Select reported no indications of Femi’s presence backstage at recent NXT tapings. The reasons remain unknown—whether it’s a strategic hiatus, injury, or preparation for a main roster call-up is unconfirmed.
Femi’s early career in NXT was marked by a strong breakout, culminating in winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, holding the title for a record 272 days. Following consecutive losses to D’Angelo, many speculate that Femi’s absence allows him time to reset and will eventually position him to pursue the NXT Championship, potentially taking the belt from Trick Williams.
Summary
Roman Reigns remains at the center of WWE’s top storylines, reflecting openly on his experiences facing both The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 and leaving the door open for future marquee matchups. Meanwhile, Tommy Fury’s backstage visit to WWE shows serious indication that he may transition from professional boxing to wrestling. Lastly, NXT’s Oba Femi has disappeared from recent shows, prompting speculation about his next career steps.
As WWE continues to evolve its narratives with dynamic characters and emerging stars, fans can stay tuned for potential blockbuster returns, fresh rivalries, and new talent rising through the ranks.
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