Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent Amid Rumors
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, excitement and speculation continue to build around WWE’s top stars and rising talents. Recently, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experiences, including the shifting main event plans involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes. Meanwhile, boxer Tommy Fury appears to be eyeing a potential future in WWE, and promising NXT talent Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent programming, sparking rumors about his status.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Prospects with The Rock
During an engaging interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns addressed the whirlwind of booking decisions surrounding the main event of WrestleMania 40. Originally, there was a back-and-forth on whether Reigns would face WWE legend The Rock or rising star Cody Rhodes.
Asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns was candid but unfazed. "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns said, emphasizing that the goal was to defend his championship against anyone attempting to "stop history from happening."
WrestleMania 40 became a landmark event with twists, including Rhodes initially stating he wouldn’t challenge Reigns after winning the 2024 Royal Rumble, only to reverse course under fan pressure. This led to The Rock turning heel, adopting the persona "The Final Boss," and aligning with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes reclaimed the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding a much-anticipated singles match between Reigns and The Rock that did not materialize at the event, Reigns left the door open for the future. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he noted, recognizing that fan enthusiasm is a driving force behind WWE’s creative decisions.
The Rock made a surprise unannounced appearance last month at WWE’s Bad Blood event, though he has not yet committed to future storylines. With the upcoming WarGames match featuring competing versions of The Bloodline at Survivor Series, fans speculate The Rock might return again, possibly setting the stage for an eventual showdown with Reigns, his cousin.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at the possibility of joining WWE. In a video posted on YouTube from backstage at a WWE show during the company’s UK tour, Fury expressed admiration for WWE Superstars and appreciation for his experience.
“Big up to Randy Orton, absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them," Fury said. “Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?”
Tommy’s potential transition to pro wrestling carries even more intrigue because of his connections with the Paul family. As the only professional boxer to have defeated Jake Paul, and given Logan Paul’s current status as a WWE Superstar and former U.S. Champion, a cross-family rivalry or even tag team match could captivate mainstream audiences.
His brother Tyson Fury has previously made WWE appearances, including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and a memorable intervention at Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy’s future in WWE remains unconfirmed but clearly possible given recent comments and backstage visits.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, a former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen in recent NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, according to reports from Fightful Select. The exact reason for his absence is unclear. It might be a strategic pause following two high-profile losses or a break for injury recovery.
Since debuting on TV in April 2023, Femi quickly made an impact by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee, holding the championship for a record 272 days. His unexpected losses to D’Angelo, however, have held him off TV recently.
Wrestling insiders speculate that Femi’s hiatus could signal a potential call-up to WWE’s main roster or that NXT officials may be giving him time off to regroup before a new storyline push. If Femi returns soon, he is widely considered a strong contender to challenge for the NXT Championship, possibly ending the reign of current champion Trick Williams.
Conclusion
As WWE continues to blend legacy stars with emerging talent, the dynamics around Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi underscore an exciting time for professional wrestling fans. Whether it’s the prospects of blockbuster matches, new crossover stars, or rising NXT talents, the WWE Universe remains eager for what’s next.
Stay tuned for more updates and insider news as these stories develop.
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