Roman Reigns Shares Thoughts on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Boxer Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career; NXT Update on Oba Femi
In recent developments from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 main event experiences and possible future matchups, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a pro wrestling pursuit, and former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi’s status remains unclear following a notable absence.
Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Potential Clash with The Rock
Roman Reigns discussed his feelings regarding his WrestleMania 40 main event opponents, Cody Rhodes and The Rock, during an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina. Reigns shared that he was unfazed by the shifts in booking between Rhodes and The Rock as his opponent, emphasizing the importance of being in the main event spotlight.
Reigns explained, “It didn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. It’s the same task in hand for me — defending the title and standing at the pinnacle.” Following Rhodes’ 2024 Royal Rumble victory, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, which seemed to open the door for The Rock’s involvement. However, fan reaction led Rhodes to reverse course, and The Rock turned heel, adopting the moniker The Final Boss and aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns then defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes ultimately capturing the WWE title from Reigns during Night 2’s main event.
When asked about the possibility of a future Reigns versus The Rock match, Reigns acknowledged this could happen if the audience demands it. “I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something… If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” The Rock made a surprise return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood but has not yet clarified his future plans.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations After Backstage Visit
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, revealed a potential interest in professional wrestling following his attendance at a recent WWE UK tour stop. In a YouTube video documenting his backstage experience, Fury expressed enthusiasm about the WWE environment and the possibility of stepping into the ring someday.
He said, “Big up to Randy Orton, absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day.” At 25 years old, Tommy currently holds an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and notably handed Jake Paul his only loss. Given his ties to the Paul family through boxing — and Logan Paul’s active role in WWE — a potential on-screen rivalry or alliance involving the Fury and Paul brothers could generate interest among mainstream audiences.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from recent NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, according to sources cited by Fightful Select. The reason for his absence remains undisclosed. After debuting on NXT in April 2023, Femi made an immediate impact by winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee. His championship reign lasted a record 272 days before unexpectedly dropping the belt to D’Angelo.
Following a rematch loss and subsequent absence, speculation revolves around whether Femi is recuperating from injury, preparing for a main roster call-up, or simply taking time off to regroup after consecutive defeats. When he returns, Femi could be positioned as a top contender for the NXT Championship, possibly targeting current titleholder Trick Williams.
These updates highlight a dynamic period within WWE and NXT as established stars and emerging talent navigate their paths forward, while crossover interest from athletes like Tommy Fury hints at potential new storylines and audience engagement opportunities.
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