Roman Reigns Shares Thoughts on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Considers WWE; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
Bleacher Report’s WWE Universe update brings insights from recent interviews and backstage reports, covering Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40 matchups, boxer Tommy Fury’s hint at a WWE future, and NXT star Oba Femi’s current absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Potential Future Clash with The Rock
On the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about his experiences facing Cody Rhodes and the possibility of wrestling his cousin, The Rock, in the future. Addressing the uncertainty leading up to WrestleMania 40’s main event—whether he would face Rhodes or The Rock—Reigns expressed that the opponent was secondary to being in the spotlight. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” he said, emphasizing the importance of defending his status and title, regardless of who stood across the ring.
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw Rhodes winning the men’s Royal Rumble but initially choosing not to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, which opened the door for The Rock to be the contender. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to change his stance, sparking a storyline where The Rock turned heel, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes pinned Reigns for the WWE title on Night 2. When asked if a future match against The Rock was possible, Reigns acknowledged it would depend heavily on fan interest. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he responded. The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has yet to clarify his intentions since. Upcoming events, such as the WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring iterations of The Bloodline, could provide a stage for The Rock’s further involvement and perhaps a prime opportunity to build toward the highly anticipated clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE After Backstage Visit
Emerging boxing talent and reality TV personality Tommy Fury recently hinted at exploring opportunities in professional wrestling with WWE. Sharing a backstage video from WWE’s UK tour on his YouTube channel, Fury recounted his interactions with established WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. “Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” he commented.
The younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury—who had a brief WWE stint himself—Tommy is undefeated in boxing and notably handed Jake Paul his only professional loss to date. Given his connection to the Paul brothers, Tommy Fury could be a strong fit for WWE storylines, perhaps even setting up a high-profile feud with Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. This crossover could appeal to a broader audience, increasing the potential for WWE to consider Tommy for future projects.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Reports from Fightful Select reveal that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been noticeably absent from NXT tapings over the past month following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. While no official reason has been provided—whether injury, creative break, or protection following consecutive losses—Femi hasn’t appeared on-screen since.
Femi, a standout collegiate track athlete who debuted on NXT television in April 2023, had a strong ascent highlighted by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and holding the North American Championship for a record 272 days prior to his title loss. His return is eagerly anticipated, with speculation that he could soon target the NXT Championship. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely for his next move once he reemerges.
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[Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock at WrestleMania 40 teams up against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins—WWE/Getty Images]