Roman Reigns Shares Thoughts on The Rock and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
WWE has been buzzing with recent developments surrounding some of its biggest stars and rising talents. Here’s a detailed look at the latest news involving Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, boxer-turned-wrestling prospect Tommy Fury, and NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match With The Rock
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns shared his perspective on the main event scene at WrestleMania 40, particularly regarding his matches against Cody Rhodes and the potential of facing his cousin, The Rock.
Reigns commented on the uncertainty surrounding the main event, which oscillated between a showdown with Rhodes and a Dream Match against The Rock. He expressed a pragmatic attitude: "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… We just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it is."
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw Rhodes winning the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially declaring he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, with The Rock seemingly poised for that spot. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse his stance, leading The Rock to turn heel, rebrand as The Final Boss, and align with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, only for Rhodes to capture the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding a potential future match against The Rock, Reigns voiced openness contingent on fan demand: "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen." The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month, though his future plans remain undisclosed. With the ongoing Bloodline storyline culminating in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock might reappear and possibly set the stage for a showdown with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has recently shown interest in making his mark in professional wrestling with WWE.
Fury shared a video from backstage at a WWE UK tour event, where he interacted with WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. In the video, he said: “Big up to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?”
At 25 years old, Tommy Fury boasts an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and is notably the only fighter to have defeated Jake Paul. His potential crossover to WWE could open intriguing storyline possibilities, especially involving Logan Paul, who is an active WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. The prospect of tag team matches pitting the Fury brothers against the Paul brothers could attract considerable mainstream interest.
Oba Femi’s Recent NXT Absence Raises Questions
NXT fans have noticed the absence of rising star Oba Femi from recent tapings, fueling speculation about the reasons behind it. Femi, who made his televised NXT debut in April 2023, quickly established himself by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. He held the title a record 272 days before losing it to Tony D’Angelo last month.
Femi lost a rematch to D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27 and has not appeared on NXT television since. According to Fightful Select, there have been no reports of his presence backstage during recent NXT tapings.
The cause of Femi’s absence is unclear. It could be a strategic decision by WWE to have him regroup following two significant losses, or it might hint at a possible main roster call-up or an injury. When he returns, many anticipate that Femi will be a strong contender for the NXT Championship, continuing his ascent as one of NXT’s top performers.
As WWE continues to evolve its storylines and roster, these narratives highlight the dynamic and ever-changing landscape of the wrestling world. Fans eagerly await what comes next for Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi on their respective journeys.