Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
In recent developments within the WWE universe, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 experiences and potential future bouts, Tommy Fury appeared interested in a WWE career, and NXT star Oba Femi has been notably absent from programming, sparking speculation about his status.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 and The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes
During an interview on the SI Media podcast aired Tuesdays and hosted by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns addressed fan anticipation and backstage shifts surrounding his main event at WrestleMania 40. Reigns discussed the uncertainty leading up to the event as WWE seemed undecided about whether he would face The Rock or Cody Rhodes.
Reigns revealed he was unfazed by whom he faced, emphasizing that his focus remained on defending his position at the top of WWE. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns said. He noted his role as the target he had to overcome, stating, "They are trying to stop history from happening… It was the same task in hand for me."
The storyline saw twists as Cody Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but declined to challenge Reigns, positioning The Rock as the WWE Championship contender. After fan backlash to this shift, Rhodes reversed course, culminating in The Rock turning heel and aligning with Reigns. This led to The Rock and Reigns teaming to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes subsequently claiming the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future match against The Rock, Reigns indicated that such a bout could happen if fan demand is strong enough. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he remarked. The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance at Bad Blood last month, leaving fans curious about his next move, possibly hinting at future confrontations with his cousin, Reigns, as The Bloodline storyline evolves through Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Explores Potential WWE Involvement
British professional boxer Tommy Fury has publicly signaled an interest in stepping into the professional wrestling world. Fury shared a YouTube video from backstage at a WWE show during the company’s recent UK tour, expressing gratitude for the hospitality and camaraderie shown by WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete… I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day," Fury stated, hinting at a potential wrestling future.
Fury, who boasts a perfect 10-0 professional boxing record and notably defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, is the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury. Tyson has history with WWE, having competed and made appearances since his match at Crown Jewel 2019. Given Tommy’s boxing credentials, family ties, and connections to the Paul family, he could be a strong candidate for WWE storylines involving Logan Paul, himself a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. This creates intriguing possibilities for cross-sport rivalries and tag team matchups that could appeal to mainstream audiences.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, a former NXT North American Champion, has not appeared on NXT programming or backstage since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc. Fightful Select reports there has been no indication of Femi’s presence during recent NXT tapings, leaving fans and analysts speculating.
Femi debuted on NXT television in April 2023, making an immediate impact by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, holding the title for a record 272 days. However, after losing the championship to D’Angelo and dropping a rematch at Halloween Havoc, Femi has been off WWE TV.
The reason behind his absence is unclear—it could be a strategic break to allow him to regroup after two big losses, a planned main roster call-up, or an injury setback. When and if Femi returns, many consider him a strong contender to pursue NXT titles once more.
As WWE continues to evolve with new storylines, surprise returns, and emerging talent, the landscape remains dynamic, promising plenty of excitement ahead for wrestling fans.