Roman Reigns Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
As the WWE Universe buzzes with excitement and speculation, Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates featuring some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Roman Reigns recently opened up about his WrestleMania 40 battles involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury hinted at a potential WWE career, and NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence has sparked intriguing backstage rumors.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Future Potential with The Rock
Roman Reigns, WWE’s "Original Tribal Chief," sat down for an insightful interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. During the conversation, Reigns addressed the main event scene at WrestleMania 40, where he faced Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock, as initially speculated by fans.
Asked whether he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns was straightforward: his priority was simply being in the main event and defending his title. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening," he said, emphasizing his role as the pinnacle of WWE.
The storyline at WrestleMania 40 took a surprising turn after Rhodes won the 2024 Royal Rumble but initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This led to anticipation of a Rock vs. Reigns showdown. However, following fan backlash and creative twists, The Rock turned heel and aligned with Reigns as “The Final Boss,” culminating in a tag-team victory alongside Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1. Rhodes ultimately captured the WWE title on Night 2. Looking ahead, Reigns hinted at the possibility of a future match with The Rock, stating, “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” The Rock’s unannounced return at last month’s Bad Blood pay-per-view hinted he may be gearing up for further storylines, especially with the upcoming WarGames match featuring The Bloodline factions at Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Suggests WWE Could Be in His Future
In an unexpected crossover between boxing and professional wrestling, British boxer Tommy Fury recently expressed interest in exploring opportunities with WWE. Posting a video from backstage at a recent WWE UK tour event, Fury shared glowing remarks about the wrestlers he met and hinted at a future in wrestling.
“So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton… Big up to Cody Rhodes, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury said on YouTube, reflecting on the experience.
The 25-year-old younger brother of former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury—who himself competed once in WWE and played a memorable role in the audience during Clash at the Castle—has made a name in boxing with an undefeated 10-0 record. Notably, Tommy Fury is the only boxer to have officially beaten YouTube star Jake Paul, adding to his mainstream appeal.
Given Tommy’s connection to the Paul family and WWE star Logan Paul, a storyline involving the Fury and Paul brothers could potentially attract a broader audience for WWE, blending sports and entertainment.
Oba Femi’s Quiet Absence from NXT Raises Questions
On the developmental front, former North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared on WWE’s NXT programming since October 27’s Halloween Havoc event. Fightful Select reports no backstage presence for Femi during recent tapings, leaving fans and insiders to wonder about his status.
Femi, who debuted on television in April 2023, quickly ascended through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, holding the title a record 272 days. However, his momentum took a hit after losing both the championship and the rematch to Tony D’Angelo.
While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, possibilities include time off to regroup after consecutive losses, injury recovery, or even a potential call-up to WWE’s main roster. If and when he returns, many see Femi as a strong contender to pursue the NXT Championship, possibly challenging current titleholder Trick Williams.
As WWE continues to evolve with surprise returns, potential new faces, and shifting championship landscapes, fans will undoubtedly be watching closely to see what’s next for these promising and established stars.
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Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images — The Rock and Roman Reigns after their WrestleMania 40 victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 6, 2024.