Roman Reigns Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
In the latest WWE news roundup, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on facing either The Rock or Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, boxing star Tommy Fury hinted at a potential pro wrestling career with WWE, and exciting rumors swirl around NXT’s Oba Femi as he remains absent from recent tapings.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and Possible Future Rock Match
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast hosted by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, offering revealing insights about the main event scene at WrestleMania 40. He addressed the speculation and changes leading up to the event, where initially he was slated to face The Rock before ultimately going one-on-one with Cody Rhodes.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock in the marquee matchup, Reigns emphasized that it didn’t matter who he faced in the main event, saying:
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with, you know. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out. … They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me."
The storyline had shifted multiple times after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and initially declined to challenge Reigns, leading fans to anticipate a Reigns vs. The Rock showdown. However, fan backlash led to Rhodes reversing course, and The Rock turned heel as "The Final Boss," forming an alliance with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding a potential future matchup with The Rock, Reigns acknowledged it could happen if the fans loudly demand it. He said:
"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 at the recent WWE Bad Blood event but has been largely absent since, fueling speculation that another chapter with Reigns might be building—especially with both their “Bloodline” factions clashing in upcoming Survivor Series WarGames action.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Career
Boxer and reality TV personality Tommy Fury appears to be seriously considering a future in professional wrestling with WWE. In a recent YouTube video documenting his experience backstage during WWE’s United Kingdom tour, Fury expressed enthusiasm about rubbing shoulders with WWE stars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He remarked:
"I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
At 25 years old, Fury has carved out an undefeated professional boxing career with a notable win over Jake Paul. Being the younger brother of former boxing heavyweight champ Tyson Fury—who had his own WWE stint in 2019—he has natural ties to WWE’s crossover appeal.
This could also spark a high-profile rivalry with Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar and former U.S. Champion, given Tommy’s connection to Jake Paul. A tag team showdown between the Fury brothers and the Paul brothers would surely attract mainstream attention and broaden WWE’s audience.
Oba Femi MIA from NXT Following Back-to-Back Losses
On the NXT front, former North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from the NXT tapings for about a month. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at the Oct. 27 Halloween Havoc event. The reason for his absence remains unclear.
After a strong debut year on NXT that included winning the Breakout Tournament and holding the North American Championship for a record-setting 272 days, Femi suffered a surprising title loss to D’Angelo and then dropped a rematch at Halloween Havoc. His sudden disappearance may signal a needed break to regroup following those setbacks.
Industry insiders speculate that Femi’s absence could mean several things: possibly an injury, a planned main roster call-up, or a strategic move by NXT officials to let his losses fade before his return. When he does return, Femi is considered a top contender for the NXT Championship and an excellent candidate to dethrone current champ Trick Williams.
Looking Ahead
The WWE Universe is buzzing with exciting developments: Roman Reigns remains the centerpiece with potential mega matches ahead, Tommy Fury hints at a unique crossover opportunity bridging boxing and wrestling, and Oba Femi’s next moves on NXT could shake up the brand’s championship picture.
Fans eager for more updates can tune into shows like Ring Rust Radio and follow Bleacher Report for the latest rumors, scores, and breaking news across the wrestling world and beyond.
Photo caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock at WrestleMania 40 Night 1, where they teamed to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)