WWE Updates: Roman Reigns on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Considers WWE Career, Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
Bleacher Report brings you the latest news and insights from the WWE universe, including Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40, Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling ambitions, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Possible Future Match with The Rock
During a recent appearance on Sports Illustrated’s SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about his experience heading into WrestleMania 40, particularly regarding the shift from a potential match with The Rock to facing Cody Rhodes instead. When asked by host Jimmy Traina whether he felt disappointed about not wrestling The Rock, Reigns expressed that being in the main event was what mattered most to him.
Reigns explained, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. It’s where— we just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it was. They are trying to stop history from happening. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 had fans buzzing when Cody Rhodes, after winning the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, initially said he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This opened the door for The Rock to step in as the apparent challenger. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reverse that stance, with The Rock turning heel and allying with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” This culminated in The Rock and Reigns defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event, followed by Rhodes capturing the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the prospect of a future Reigns vs. The Rock match, Roman hinted it could happen if fan demand grows strong enough. “I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something, we’re a company who—we’re not being dictated to. We have a vision for where we’re trying to go, but we know who the consumers are. We know who’s paying their hard-earned money, and we want to satisfy those people.”
“If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns added.
The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has not yet clarified his intentions, leaving the door open for further involvement, particularly with the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series that features both original and new iterations of The Bloodline.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Career Possibility
Tommy Fury, undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has revealed potential interest in joining WWE. In a YouTube video posted following a recent WWE UK tour, Tommy shared his backstage experience and hinted at a pro wrestling future.
“So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night,” Fury commented.
Tyson Fury made a one-off WWE appearance in 2019 at Crown Jewel, defeating Braun Strowman by count-out. The Fury family connection, combined with Tommy’s boxing success—including an undefeated record and being the only boxer to beat Jake Paul—could position him well for a wrestling career.
Given Logan Paul’s role as a WWE Superstar, fans and analysts speculate that a “Paul brothers vs. Fury brothers” tag team storyline could tap into mainstream interest and cross-promotional appeal.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion and Breakout Tournament winner, has reportedly been absent from NXT programming and tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports no backstage sightings of Femi over the past month, leaving his status unclear.
After a dominant run that saw Femi hold the North American Championship for a record 272 days, his recent losses—including dropping the title to D’Angelo and a rematch defeat—have coincided with this absence. Reasons for his time off may range from allowing him to recover from setbacks or injuries to a potential upcoming main roster call-up.
If and when Femi returns to NXT, many expect him to pursue the NXT Championship, with his athletic background and powerful presence making him a solid candidate for future title contention.
Stay tuned for more WWE updates and breaking news as the wrestling world continues to evolve with new rivalries, surprise returns, and emerging stars.