Roman Reigns on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career, and NXT Rumors Surrounding Oba Femi
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, recent developments have made waves across WWE’s main roster and developmental brand NXT. From Roman Reigns’ candid thoughts on WrestleMania 40 opponent changes and a possible dream match with The Rock to boxing star Tommy Fury hinting at a WWE future, and the mysterious disappearance of NXT standout Oba Femi from recent tapings, fans have much to digest. Bleacher Report provides a detailed update on these trending stories.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Potential Rock Clash
Roman Reigns, WWE’s dominant "Tribal Chief," recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, where he opened up about his experiences leading into and during WrestleMania 40, specifically regarding the changing landscape of his main event opponent.
Reigns revealed that while it was initially unclear whether he would face The Rock or Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, he himself was unfazed by the shift. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event," Reigns said, emphasizing his pride in being the central figure everyone aimed to dethrone. His focus was on defending his championship status rather than the identity of his challenger.
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 was marked by drama. After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially distanced himself from challenging Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, which paved the way for The Rock’s expected return. However, negative fan reactions prompted Rhodes to reverse course, leading to The Rock turning heel and aligning with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” This alliance culminated in the duo defeating Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. On Night 2, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns to capture the WWE Championship, preventing the highly anticipated “The Rock vs. Reigns” singles match from happening at the event.
When asked whether such a match could happen in the future, Reigns expressed openness, provided the fans show 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’s recent unannounced return at WWE Bad Blood hinted at potential future storylines, especially with The Bloodline’s ongoing WarGames feud at Survivor Series, where another Rock appearance could be imminent.
Tommy Fury Teases WWE Appearance After Backstage Visit
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has sparked speculation about a WWE future after attending a WWE event in the UK. In a YouTube video posted on Sunday, Fury showcased his backstage meeting with WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Expressing gratitude and openness to wrestling, Fury stated: "I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" His comments quickly fueled rumors of him potentially transitioning into pro wrestling.
Tommy Fury, 25, has established himself with an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and is known for defeating social media star Jake Paul. Given his boxing lineage and ties to the Paul family—Logan Paul is an active WWE Superstar—there are intriguing possibilities for future cross-promotional storylines, such as a Fury brothers versus Paul brothers tag-team feud, tapping into mainstream interest.
His brother Tyson Fury previously had an appearance in WWE at Crown Jewel 2019 and made a notable impact at Clash at the Castle 2022, further bridging the worlds of boxing and pro wrestling in the Fury family.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
In NXT, former North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from tapings over the past month, sparking discussions about his status within WWE’s developmental brand.
Fightful Select reports that since Femi’s loss to Tony D’Angelo in the Halloween Havoc main event on October 27, there has been no sign of him backstage or on NXT programming. The reason for this absence is not publicly known, with possible explanations ranging from an injury hiatus, a storyline reset following two major losses, or a potential main roster call-up in the near future.
Since his televised introduction in April 2023, Femi impressed fans with an undefeated streak, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and cashing in a title opportunity to become North American Champion. He held the belt for a record 272 days before dropping it to D’Angelo—a reign showcasing his meteoric rise.
Many believe that once Femi returns, he could be a compelling challenger for the NXT Championship, possibly setting up a significant rivalry with current champion Trick Williams.
What Lies Ahead?
As WWE continues to develop storylines and roster moves heading into the new year, the evolving narratives around Roman Reigns’ championship reign, The Rock’s role, Tommy Fury’s potential debut, and Oba Femi’s trajectory in NXT will be key points of interest for fans and analysts alike.
Fans are encouraged to keep an eye on upcoming WWE events and NXT programming for updates and possible surprise returns.
For more in-depth wrestling news and analysis, stay tuned to Bleacher Report.
Listen to Ring Rust Radio for comprehensive coverage of all major wrestling topics including these latest developments. Catch the latest episodes online for exclusive insights.
Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock celebrate their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 Night 1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 6, 2024. (Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images)