Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Future WWE Possibilities; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Career; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE universe, featuring insights from Roman Reigns, news about Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling career, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
During a recent appearance on Sports Illustrated’s SI Media podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns discussed the evolving scenarios and decisions surrounding his high-profile WrestleMania 40 matches. Reigns provided candid thoughts on the shifting plans that saw him face Cody Rhodes rather than The Rock in the main event.
Asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns emphasized the main event itself was what mattered most rather than his opponent. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” Reigns said. “They’re trying to stop history from happening. They’re trying to take us off the pinnacle right now. So it was the same task in hand for me.”
Initially, after Rhodes won the 2024 Royal Rumble men’s match, he declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. That development led to speculation that The Rock would take Rhodes’ place as Reigns’ opponent. Following some fan backlash to this change, Rhodes reversed course, and The Rock turned heel, adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning himself with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in Night 1’s main event at WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes captured the WWE title from Reigns in Night 2. Looking ahead, Reigns expressed openness to a future match with his cousin The Rock if the fans show clear demand. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns said. The Rock made a surprise return last month at WWE Bad Blood but has not clarified his long-term plans. With The Bloodline and its original incarnation poised to clash in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, Reigns hinted this could be an ideal time for another Rock appearance, possibly setting the stage for a significant showdown.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions During UK Tour Visit
In other WWE news, professional boxer Tommy Fury has sparked speculation that he might enter the wrestling world in the future. While backstage during WWE’s recent United Kingdom tour, Fury shared a video on YouTube interacting with WWE superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. He conveyed his admiration for the wrestlers and hinted at the possibility of stepping inside the wrestling ring one day.
“Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” said Fury.
Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury who had a one-time WWE match in 2019, currently boasts an undefeated boxing record of 10-0. He notably defeated Jake Paul, heightening interest in potential crossovers with WWE personalities. Given Tommy’s connections and the prominence of the Paul brothers in WWE—Logan Paul being an active WWE Superstar and former US Champion—a future rivalry or tag-team pairing between the Fury and Paul siblings could attract mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi has been notably absent from WWE programming for the past month. Reports from Fightful Select indicate he has not been backstage at any NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The precise reason for Femi’s absence has not been publicly confirmed.
Femi’s journey in NXT has been impressive. After debuting on television in April 2023, he quickly rose to prominence by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His title reign lasted a record 272 days until he was defeated by Tony D’Angelo last month. Femi subsequently lost a rematch to D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
Industry insiders suggest his current hiatus could be strategic, potentially allowing him time to regroup after consecutive losses, or possibly preparing for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Alternatively, it might simply be a creative decision to let the storyline ramifications settle. Fans and analysts anticipate a strong comeback from Femi, with some speculation that he could become a top contender for the NXT Championship, potentially challenging reigning champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned for further updates and insights into these WWE storylines as they develop.
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