Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes Rivalries; Tommy Fury Considers WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
In the ever-evolving world of WWE, recent updates have shed light on some of the top stars and emerging talent within the company. From Roman Reigns’ candid interview addressing his WrestleMania 40 experiences, to boxer Tommy Fury hinting at a pro wrestling interest, and NXT’s Oba Femi noticeably missing from recent tapings, here’s a comprehensive update on these intriguing developments.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
On the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns provided insight into the main event dynamics at WrestleMania 40, discussing his matches against Cody Rhodes and the highly anticipated but unrealized bout with The Rock.
When asked whether he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock in the WrestleMania 40 main event, Reigns expressed that it was the main event slot that mattered most to him, not the opponent. “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. It didn’t matter who it was — the task was the same: defend the championship and keep the Bloodline at the pinnacle,” he explained.
Reigns also addressed the complicated storyline leading up to the event, which saw Rhodes initially declining to challenge Reigns after winning the 2024 Royal Rumble, sparking talk of a Rock vs. Reigns main event. Fan backlash prompted changes that resulted in The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and teaming with Reigns to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 at WrestleMania 40. Ultimately, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
Looking ahead, Reigns left the door open to a future match with The Rock, emphasizing the power of fan demand. “If the fans are loud enough and passionate enough, and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns said. The Rock surprised fans with an unannounced appearance at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month, though he has yet to clarify his wrestling plans, making a potential matchup with his cousin an exciting prospect for upcoming storylines, possibly around Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Explores Possibility of Joining WWE
British boxer Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, teased the possibility of stepping into the WWE ring in the near future. In a recent YouTube video from a WWE UK tour, Fury shared scenes from backstage, giving shout-outs to stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury commented, hinting at a potential wrestling career.
Tommy Fury, undefeated in professional boxing with a 10-0 record, is known for his crossover appeal through his family connections, notably having defeated Jake Paul, who has also ventured into professional boxing. Given that Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, is an active WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, the idea of a Paul brothers vs. Fury brothers storyline could attract mainstream attention. WWE may be considering leveraging these popular names for captivating future storylines.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Raises Questions
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion and breakout star, has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings since late October, following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been spotted backstage since his title loss, marking a significant break after a dominant run that included winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and holding the North American Championship for a record 272 days. His defeat to D’Angelo was his first televised loss in NXT and was followed by a rematch where he suffered another loss.
While the reasons for Femi’s absence remain unconfirmed, speculation includes the possibility of an injury, a pending call-up to WWE’s main roster, or a strategic pause to allow the impact of his losses to settle with the audience.
When he does return, Femi’s talent and standing make him a strong candidate to contend for the NXT Championship, potentially kicking off a new chapter in his career within WWE’s developmental system.
Stay tuned as these stories develop and as WWE continues to evolve its roster and storylines in the months ahead.