Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, While Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; NXT’s Oba Femi Reportedly Absent
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, fresh developments keep fans buzzing. This week, Roman Reigns shared insights on his WrestleMania 40 main event experiences involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes, boxer-turned-celebrity Tommy Fury hinted at a possible future in WWE, and rumors swirl around NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence. Here’s a detailed look at the latest news in the WWE Universe.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchups and Potential Rock Showdown
Roman Reigns, known as "The Tribal Chief," recently sat down for an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina and discussed his WrestleMania 40 main event storyline. Fans had initially anticipated a blockbuster match-up between Reigns and The Rock, his real-life cousin and wrestling legend. However, in a curveball twist, it was Reigns versus Cody Rhodes on Night 2 of the event.
Reigns revealed that he was not disappointed by the change in opponents, emphasizing that being in the main event spotlight was what mattered most. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns said. He explained that regardless of whether it was The Rock or Rhodes, the challenge was the same: to defend his title and maintain his dominance.
Following Rhodes’s victory at the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, there was initial speculation that Rhodes would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania and that The Rock would step into that role instead. After fans reacted negatively to these changes, Rhodes reversed his stance, setting up a storyline that saw The Rock turn heel—dubbed "The Final Boss"—joining forces with Reigns. Together, they defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, only for Rhodes to top Reigns on Night 2 to claim the WWE title.
Looking ahead, Traina asked Reigns if a match against The Rock could still happen in the future. Reigns responded positively, noting that WWE listens to fan demand. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he said. With The Rock’s recent surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event and the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match that will feature different factions of The Bloodline, fans speculate the legendary cousins might finally lock horns inside the squared circle.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Wrestling Aspirations
British boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson Fury, turned heads by suggesting an interest in stepping into the pro wrestling arena. During WWE’s recent UK tour, Fury posted a YouTube video backstage at a WWE event, where he mingled with WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
In the video, Fury expressed gratitude toward WWE while leaving the door open for a future wrestling career. "I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" he said. At 25, Fury boasts an undefeated boxing record (10-0) and is the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul, a notable WWE part-timer and entertainer himself. Given the existing ties between the Fury and Paul families, WWE could potentially craft engaging storylines involving Tommy and Logan Paul, broadening WWE’s appeal to mainstream sports fans.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi has not been seen on WWE programming in recent weeks. Fightful Select reports that Femi has been absent from NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons for this absence remain unclear.
Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi has enjoyed a strong run, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and subsequently cashing in to win the North American Championship. His record-setting title reign lasted 272 days before he was dethroned by D’Angelo last month. Femi also lost a rematch at Halloween Havoc, after which he disappeared from TV.
While some fans worry about a possible injury or main roster call-up, it may simply be a creative decision to allow Femi time to regroup after consecutive losses. When he returns, many expect him to be a leading contender for the NXT Championship and a potential top heel to challenge current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned for further updates from WWE as these storylines and potential new arrivals develop.
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