Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
In the latest developments from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns discussed his WrestleMania 40 Main Event experience, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a potential wrestling career with WWE, and NXT star Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent programming.
Roman Reigns Reflects on Facing Cody Rhodes Instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40
Roman Reigns appeared on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, where he candidly addressed the main event lineup changes leading up to WrestleMania 40. Originally, it seemed that Reigns would face The Rock, his cousin and WWE legend, but the card shifted to pit him against Cody Rhodes after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble.
Reigns stated that he was indifferent as to who he faced, emphasizing that being in the main event was what truly mattered. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… We’re just trying to defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it was," Reigns said.
The storyline saw The Rock turn heel as "The Final Boss," aligning with Reigns. Together, they defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins during the Night 1 main event. However, on Night 2, Rhodes recaptured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns in front of a Philadelphia crowd.
When asked if a Reigns versus The Rock match is still possible in the future, Reigns was open to the idea, contingent on fan interest. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he explained. The Rock made an unannounced appearance at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month, but hasn’t yet revealed his intentions, leaving the door open for future high-profile encounters.
Tommy Fury Teases Interest in WWE
Rising boxing star Tommy Fury, younger sibling of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, suggested he might consider entering WWE. During WWE’s recent UK tour, Tommy posted a YouTube video from backstage where he met several WWE stars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete… I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" Fury shared, opening the door for a potential crossover from boxing to wrestling.
Tommy Fury currently holds an undefeated boxing record of 10-0 and is notably the only fighter to have defeated Jake Paul. Given his connections and charisma, WWE could see Fury as a valuable addition, especially considering the popular involvement of the Paul brothers in wrestling storylines. A potential Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers matchup is something that could generate widespread mainstream appeal.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been absent from NXT tapings since late October, shortly following his title loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc. Femi’s absence was reported by Fightful Select, though no official reason has been disclosed.
Femi made a strong impression in NXT since debuting in April 2023, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and a lengthy North American Championship reign lasting 272 days. However, after consecutive losses to D’Angelo—including the loss of his title—Femi has not appeared on television or backstage at NXT.
Speculation ranges from a possible injury or rest period, to a creative reset before returning either on the main roster or focusing on another run in NXT. When he does return, Femi is expected to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship.
These latest developments hint at an exciting future for WWE with dynamic storylines, new potential talent, and evolving factions. Fans will be watching closely for how these narratives unfold in the coming weeks.