WWE News Roundup: Roman Reigns on The Rock & Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, NXT’s Oba Femi Update
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, featuring insights from Roman Reigns on his WrestleMania 40 experiences, the potential WWE aspirations of boxer Tommy Fury, and NXT rumors surrounding Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchups and The Rock
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, WWE’s Roman Reigns shared his candid thoughts on the main event scene of WrestleMania 40, particularly regarding his opponents, Cody Rhodes and The Rock.
Reigns revealed that he was unfazed by the last-minute change that saw him face Rhodes instead of The Rock, emphasizing his focus on defending his WWE Championship regardless of the opponent. He stated, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… We just need to get there and defend this thing.”
The storyline leading to WrestleMania 40 was tumultuous, with Rhodes initially winning the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but declining a title shot against Reigns, which many expected would leave The Rock to challenge instead. After a wave of negative fan reaction, Rhodes reversed course, and The Rock turned heel, adopting the persona of “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. This led to The Rock and Reigns teaming up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, with Rhodes later capturing the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked if a Rock vs. Reigns one-on-one match could still happen in the future, Reigns indicated it’s possible if fans express strong interest. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he said.
The Rock made a surprise unannounced WWE return at Bad Blood last month, though his intentions remain undisclosed. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring the new and original Bloodline factions, speculation is rife that The Rock could reappear to kick off a long-anticipated family showdown.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible Future in WWE
British boxer Tommy Fury, known for his undefeated 10-0 record and for being the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul, dropped hints about a potential wrestling career with WWE during a recent backstage visit.
In a YouTube video filmed during WWE’s UK tour, Fury expressed excitement about the experience and the possibility of one day stepping into the wrestling ring. He thanked WWE stars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther for their hospitality and remarked, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?”
Tommy is the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who has dabbled in WWE before. Tyson famously defeated Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019 and made headlines by knocking out Austin Theory in the crowd at Clash at the Castle 2022 to stop a Money in the Bank cash-in.
Given Tommy’s boxing background, high-profile connections, and storyline potential against Logan Paul—who is currently a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—there is a buzz that WWE could explore a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” storyline to attract mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, according to Fightful Select.
Femi enjoyed a rapid rise following his NXT debut in April 2023, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and cashing in to capture the North American Championship, holding it for a record 272 days. However, after dropping the title and subsequent rematch to D’Angelo, Femi has not been featured on NXT programming.
The reasons for his absence remain unclear. It could be a strategic pause to allow him to recover from recent setbacks, deal with an undisclosed injury, or possibly prepare for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. When he returns, Femi is expected to be a prime contender for the NXT Championship, potentially challenging Trick Williams.
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Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images — Roman Reigns and The Rock after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40.