Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
In recent developments from the WWE universe, several noteworthy stories have emerged involving top talents and promising prospects. Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experiences and the shifts in his main event opponents, boxer-turned-enthusiast Tommy Fury hinted at a possible WWE future, and NXT star Oba Femi’s unexplained absence has caught the attention of fans and insiders alike.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and The Rock Match Possibility
Roman Reigns, the current WWE powerhouse and "Original Tribal Chief," spoke candidly during a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. Addressing the main event booking at WrestleMania 40, Reigns shared his perspective on the last-minute changes that saw him defend his WWE Championship against Cody Rhodes instead of the initially speculated bout with The Rock.
Reigns emphasized that the identity of his opponent was secondary to holding the main event spotlight, stating, “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.” He acknowledged the overarching narrative of rivals trying to “stop history” and take the championship away, whether it was Rhodes or The Rock.
WrestleMania 40 was notable for its dramatic shifts: after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, with The Rock positioned as the likely challenger. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse course, leading to The Rock turning heel and joining forces with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” The duo defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, but Rhodes claimed the WWE title from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
Traina asked if there is still a possibility for a Reigns vs. The Rock matchup, which WWE fans have eagerly anticipated for years. Reigns responded positively, highlighting WWE’s responsiveness to fan passion: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” Given The Rock’s unannounced return at the recent Bad Blood event and the ongoing storyline developments, many speculate that WWE could build toward this marquee showdown in the near future.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in Professional Wrestling with WWE
Boxer Tommy Fury, known both for his undefeated professional boxing record and his familial link to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has revealed a budding interest in stepping into the wrestling ring. During WWE’s UK tour, Fury posted a YouTube video capturing his backstage interactions with WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He expressed enthusiasm for possibly joining WWE in the future, stating, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury’s crossover appeal is significant considering his boxing accomplishments and connections to prominent figures in combat sports and entertainment. With Tyson Fury having previously competed in WWE and influenced crossover moments, Tommy’s entry could forge intriguing new rivalries, especially with WWE Superstar Logan Paul, further widening WWE’s mainstream appeal.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence After Recent Losses
NXT talent Oba Femi has reportedly not appeared on WWE programming or backstage at NXT tapings since suffering two notable losses late last month. Fightful Select reports that Femi has been absent following his defeat at Halloween Havoc where he lost the North American Championship to Tony D’Angelo, ending an impressive 272-day title reign—the longest in NXT North American title history.
Femi had been a rising star since his televised debut in April 2023, highlighted by his victory in the NXT Breakout Tournament and subsequent title win against Dragon Lee. The reasons behind his current absence remain unclear. It may be a strategic move by WWE to allow Femi time to regroup after back-to-back losses or to let the impact of these high-profile defeats settle with the audience.
Alternatively, speculation also suggests he could be preparing for a call-up to WWE’s main roster or recovering from an injury. Regardless, when Femi returns, he is expected to remain a legitimate contender for NXT’s top titles given his impressive background as a former NCAA Division I athlete and dominant competitor.
Looking Ahead in WWE and NXT
These updates illustrate the dynamic and evolving narratives within WWE at both the main roster and developmental levels. Roman Reigns continues to solidify his legacy as one of the company’s anchor stars, possibly setting the stage for historic matches with icons like The Rock. Meanwhile, new crossover prospects like Tommy Fury inject fresh enthusiasm and fan interest. In NXT, monitoring Oba Femi’s status will be crucial as the brand seeks to nurture its promising talent pipeline.
Fans can look forward to further intrigue and exciting developments as WWE prepares for upcoming events such as Survivor Series and continues to integrate a blend of established superstars and emerging performers in its storylines.