WWE Updates: Roman Reigns on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut, and Oba Femi’s NXT Hiatus
The WWE Universe is buzzing with recent developments involving top superstars Roman Reigns, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi. Here’s the latest news and insights surrounding these key figures in professional wrestling.
Roman Reigns Comments on WrestleMania 40 Opponents: The Rock and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, where he discussed his WrestleMania 40 main event matchup against Cody Rhodes and reflected on the potential for a future bout with The Rock.
Reigns revealed that he was not concerned about whether he faced Rhodes or The Rock at WrestleMania 40, emphasizing the importance of being in the main event spotlight. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns stated, underscoring his role as “The Original Tribal Chief” at the pinnacle of WWE. He expressed that his primary focus was on defending his title and overcoming challengers trying to end his reign.
The path to WrestleMania 40 saw some twists: after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, leading to speculation that The Rock would take that spot. Following a mixed reaction from fans, Rhodes reversed his decision, which prompted The Rock to turn heel, adopt the moniker “The Final Boss,” and align with Reigns. The alliance saw The Rock and Reigns team up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event. The following night, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns.
Addressing the long-anticipated matchup between Reigns and The Rock that did not materialize at WrestleMania, Reigns suggested it remains a possibility if fan demand is strong enough: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” The Rock had made a surprise return to WWE programming the previous month at Bad Blood, though he did not reveal his intentions and has yet to appear again. With the upcoming WarGames match between the new and original Bloodline factions at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock could appear, potentially setting the stage for a future clash with his cousin, Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Future WWE Involvement
Boxer Tommy Fury is reportedly exploring the idea of stepping into the world of professional wrestling with WWE. Fury shared a video from backstage at a recent WWE UK event, where he interacted with some of the company’s top stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
In the video, Fury expressed excitement about the experience and hinted at a future in WWE: “And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
At 25, Tommy Fury has made a name for himself in boxing with an undefeated record and remains the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul, a prominent figure with strong ties to WWE through his brother Logan Paul. Tommy is also the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who has dabbled in WWE, including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and an infamous incident at WWE Clash at the Castle in 2022 where he knocked out Austin Theory from the crowd.
Given his boxing background and connections, a future WWE role could see Tommy Fury involved in storylines with the Paul brothers, potentially leading to high-profile matches that attract both wrestling and mainstream sports fans.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has notably been absent from NXT tapings for over a month, raising questions about his status. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons for his absence are currently unclear. It is possible that Femi is recuperating from injury or being given time off following his consecutive losses—from losing the North American Championship to D’Angelo after a historic 272-day reign, to a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc. Another possibility is that the decision-makers in NXT are holding him off television to allow the impact of those losses to settle.
Since debuting on NXT in April 2023, Femi has seen a rapid rise, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title. Upon his return, many speculate he could be positioned to challenge for the NXT Championship, making him a key player once he’s back on the roster.
Looking Ahead
The WWE news cycle keeps evolving, and the potential storylines involving Roman Reigns, The Rock, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi are sure to keep fans engaged. Whether it’s the possibility of a monumental family showdown, a boxing star crossing into wrestling, or a rising NXT star making his comeback, WWE is poised for compelling action in the coming months. Stay tuned for updates as these stories develop.