Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Courts WWE; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent Amid Speculation
Bleacher Report provides an update on recent developments in the WWE landscape, highlighting insights from Roman Reigns, the potential WWE aspirations of boxer Tommy Fury, and rumors surrounding NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Addresses WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Prospects
In a candid interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on his high-profile WrestleMania 40 encounters with Cody Rhodes and The Rock. Reigns revealed that facing Rhodes instead of The Rock in the marquee match did not diminish his drive, emphasizing his focus on being the main event star regardless of the opponent.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns stated. "It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me."
The conversation touched on the dramatic buildup to WrestleMania 40, where Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, seemingly paving the way for The Rock’s involvement. However, fan backlash led to Rhodes reversing course and The Rock turning heel as "The Final Boss," aligning with Reigns. Ultimately, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the long-anticipated one-on-one match against The Rock, Reigns indicated that while it did not happen at this WrestleMania, it remains a possibility if fans demonstrate strong interest.
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns said, acknowledging WWE’s attentiveness to fan enthusiasm.
The Rock made an unannounced WWE appearance last month at Bad Blood, yet his intentions remain unclear. With upcoming clashes such as the Bloodline WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife about a potential Rock vs. Reigns showdown.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future During UK Tour
Tommy Fury, undefeated professional boxer and brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, appeared backstage at a recent WWE event during their UK tour. Sharing footage on YouTube, Fury praised WWE superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, while expressing intrigue about potentially wrestling in the future.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete," Fury said. "Big up to Randy Orton… Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them… Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury’s boxing record stands at an impressive 10-0, including a notable win over Jake Paul. Given his connection to the Paul family and WWE’s penchant for crossover appeal, Tommy could emerge as a compelling addition — perhaps even clashing with Logan Paul, a current WWE Superstar and former United States Champion.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
On the NXT front, former North American Champion Oba Femi has been conspicuously absent from tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. According to Fightful Select, no indications have surfaced regarding his backstage presence, fueling speculation about the reasons behind the hiatus.
After debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi quickly rose to prominence by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His 272-day reign came to an end with a surprise defeat to D’Angelo, followed by a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc.
Theories for Femi’s absence include a potential injury, a strategic TV hiatus to recover from recent losses, or preparations for a main roster call-up. Industry insiders also see him as a strong contender to challenge for the NXT Championship upon his return, potentially dethroning current titleholder Trick Williams.
Staying Tuned
For all the latest WWE and AEW chatter, episodes of Ring Rust Radio continue to cover hot topics and backstage rumors. Wrestling fans are encouraged to stay tuned for further updates on these evolving stories.
Photo caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock celebrate their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6, 2024. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)