Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
Bleacher Report catches fans up on the latest news and developments from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns, potential new talent movements, and notable absences from WWE’s NXT brand.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns opened up about the dynamics surrounding his WrestleMania 40 main events and his interactions with both The Rock and Cody Rhodes during a recent interview on the Sports Illustrated podcast with Jimmy Traina.
Reigns revealed that he was unfazed by WWE’s back-and-forth decisions regarding his opponent for WrestleMania 40. Despite initial speculation that he would face The Rock, it was ultimately Cody Rhodes who took that spot on Night 1, while The Rock aligned with Reigns as a tag team partner.
“At the end of the day, it didn’t matter to me who I faced,” Reigns said. “I was the main event. I’m the guy everyone wanted to dance with — the target. Our goal was just to defend the championship and make history."
He pointed out the storyline’s theme of challengers trying to end The Bloodline’s dominance and emphasized that the core of his drive was about preserving his reign at the top, regardless of the opponent.
After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and initially opted not to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, fans and WWE production reacted swiftly, leading to a storyline twist with The Rock turning heel to form an alliance with Reigns. This culminated in a tag team victory for The Rock and Reigns against Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, but Rhodes triumphed over Reigns on Night 2 to claim the WWE title.
When asked about the possibility of a future Reigns vs. The Rock match, Roman left the door open but made it clear such a matchup would depend on fan interest.
“If the people want it and The People’s Champ [The Rock] is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns said. The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s recent Bad Blood event but has yet to officially announce his plans.
With an intense WarGames match between the new and original Bloodline factions scheduled for Survivor Series, many speculate it could be the right moment for The Rock to re-enter action and potentially build towards a blockbuster showdown with his cousin, Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Teases WWE Future
Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a possible future within WWE. During a recent visit backstage at a WWE event in the UK, Fury expressed appreciation for the wrestlers and the company’s hospitality in a YouTube video.
“Big up to Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, Gunther — the lot of them,” Fury said. “Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day.”
Tommy Fury, who currently boasts an undefeated professional boxing record and is notable for being the only boxer to defeat YouTube sensation Jake Paul, could be a compelling addition to WWE. His ties to the Paul brothers, with Logan Paul already a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, open interesting storyline possibilities, including a potential Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers feud that could attract mainstream attention.
Tyson Fury’s previous WWE involvement, including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and a famous backstage moment at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022, adds further intrigue to Tommy’s hinted interest.
Absence of Oba Femi From NXT Programming
Meanwhile, NXT’s rising star Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent NXT tapings and broadcasts, sparking questions among WWE fans and insiders. After losing the NXT North American Championship to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, Femi has not appeared on any episodes since.
Sources report there has been no signage of Femi backstage during NXT tapings in the last month. While the reason for his absence is unconfirmed, possibilities include a strategic break to regroup following two significant losses, potential injury, or preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster.
Femi has had a strong NXT run since his debut in April 2023, including winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and holding the North American Championship for a record 272 days. If and when he returns, many expect him to be a serious contender for the NXT Championship.
Looking Ahead
As WWE continues to build storylines and cultivate stars, fans can expect ongoing developments with Roman Reigns and The Rock’s dynamic, the potential WWE debut of Tommy Fury, and the anticipated return of Oba Femi to NXT. With Survivor Series and further major WWE events on the horizon, the wrestling world remains abuzz with anticipation for what comes next.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest updates and exclusive interviews from the world of WWE and sports entertainment.