Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
Bleacher Report’s latest wrestling update brings insights from Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40, a potential WWE career for boxer Tommy Fury, and speculation surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and Future Possibilities with The Rock
During a recent episode of the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up to Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina about his WrestleMania 40 experience, where he faced Cody Rhodes in the main event rather than The Rock, as many initially anticipated.
Reigns explained that the specific opponent didn’t matter to him as long as he was the main event’s focal point. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns stated. He framed the challenge as a constant fight to defend his position at the top, saying both Rhodes and The Rock were contenders trying to "stop history from happening" and to take him off the pinnacle.
The landscape shifted dramatically post-Royal Rumble 2024, when Rhodes initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, suggesting The Rock would step into that role instead. However, fan backlash spurred Rhodes to reverse course, which led to The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker "The Final Boss," and forming an alliance with Reigns.
The outcome was a two-night WrestleMania 40 event where The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, but Rhodes overcame Reigns to claim the WWE title in the main event on Night 2. On the potential for a future match with The Rock—an encounter fans have long awaited—Reigns said it hinges on audience demand. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he remarked, underscoring WWE’s commitment to responding to fan enthusiasm.
The Rock made a surprise return at last month’s Bad Blood but has not yet spelled out his intentions, leaving open the possibility of his involvement at upcoming events such as Survivor Series, where WWE’s original and new Bloodline factions are set to clash in a high-stakes WarGames match.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions Following Backstage Visit
Boxing star Tommy Fury has expressed intrigue about a potential future in WWE after a backstage visit during the company’s UK tour. Posting on YouTube, Fury shared footage capturing moments with WWE superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"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, suggesting openness to exploring the wrestling world.
Tommy Fury, the undefeated boxer and younger brother of former world heavyweight champ Tyson Fury—who himself dabbled in WWE competition—could be an intriguing addition to WWE’s roster. His undefeated record and victory over social media star Jake Paul position him well for crossover appeal.
Given Logan Paul’s established role in WWE, the possibility of a Paul brothers versus Fury brothers storyline could captivate both wrestling and mainstream audiences, pointing to promising narratives should WWE decide to bring Tommy aboard.
Oba Femi’s Notable Absence from NXT Programming Raises Questions
Reports indicate that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared at NXT events since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select, through Ringside News sources, confirm Femi’s backstage absence over the past month, leaving fans and insiders to speculate on the reasons behind the hiatus.
Since debuting in April 2023, Femi made a significant impact by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title, holding it for a record-setting 272 days. However, his recent losses to D’Angelo, including the championship defeat and rematch, appear to have paused his in-ring presence on NXT television.
Possibilities for Femi’s absence range from a strategic break to reset his character following setbacks, a potential injury, or even preparations for a main roster call-up. Upon return, Femi is widely viewed as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, potentially positioned to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
Looking Ahead
Roman Reigns remains focused on defending his legacy and is open to future high-profile matchups, including one with The Rock, should fans demand it. Tommy Fury’s backstage WWE visit opens the door for fresh talent and new storylines bridging boxing and wrestling. Meanwhile, Oba Femi’s quiet stint away from NXT invites speculation about his next chapter within WWE.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for ongoing coverage of these stories and more from the evolving world of professional wrestling.