Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
In recent developments from the WWE Universe, a series of intriguing updates have emerged involving top Superstar Roman Reigns, boxing sensation Tommy Fury’s potential crossover into professional wrestling, and NXT rising star Oba Femi’s recent disappearance from WWE programming. Here’s a comprehensive look at the latest news shaking up the wrestling world.
Roman Reigns on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40 Main Event Dynamics
During a candid interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with host Jimmy Traina, WWE’s Tribal Chief Roman Reigns shared his perspective on the headlining scenario for WrestleMania 40. The event’s main event saw some back-and-forth speculation between Reigns facing WWE legend The Rock or fan-favorite Cody Rhodes.
When asked whether he felt disappointed not to face The Rock at WrestleMania 40, Reigns emphasized that it didn’t matter to him who the opponent was—as long as he was in the main event spotlight. “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” Reigns said. “It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening, trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
Initially, after winning the men’s Royal Rumble in 2024, Rhodes declared he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, paving the way for The Rock’s anticipated return. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reverse course, and The Rock turned heel, rebranding himself as “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes captured the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, when asked about a possible future one-on-one match against The Rock, Reigns indicated the possibility hinges 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,” he noted. The Rock made a surprise WWE return at last month’s Bad Blood event, though his intentions remain unclear. With the upcoming Survivor Series featuring a WarGames match between versions of The Bloodline, speculation is mounting that The Rock may return to build toward a showdown with his cousin.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations After Backstage Visit
Boxing contender Tommy Fury recently hinted at a future in professional wrestling with WWE, sparking excitement among fans of crossover stars. In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury provided a glimpse into his backstage experience during WWE’s UK tour, where he interacted with top talent like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“Thank you to WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” Fury remarked.
At 25 years old, Fury has made a name in boxing with an undefeated 10-0 record and is notably the only fighter to have defeated social media personality and boxer Jake Paul. Importantly, Tommy is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, a former world heavyweight boxing champion who had a notable WWE appearance at Crown Jewel 2019 and famously intervened during a key WWE match at Clash at the Castle 2022. Considering Tommy Fury’s connections and rising profile, WWE could potentially position him as a future adversary or partner in storylines involving Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion who is Jake Paul’s brother. Such a “Paul brothers vs. Fury brothers” narrative would likely resonate with both wrestling and mainstream audiences.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Generates Rumors
In NXT news, former North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from WWE’s developmental brand since late October, raising questions among fans and analysts. Per Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage at recent NXT tapings following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reason for Femi’s absence is unclear, with speculation ranging from a possible injury, a creative reset after two consecutive losses, or preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. After debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi quickly ascended by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. He held the title for a record 272 days before dropping it to D’Angelo and subsequently losing the rematch.
If and when Femi returns, he is poised as a strong contender for the NXT Championship and is viewed as a potential candidate to dethrone the current champion Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned
As the WWE landscape continues to evolve with exciting twists and emerging talents, fans can keep up with the latest updates through platforms such as Ring Rust Radio and other wrestling news outlets.
For more coverage on WWE stars, upcoming events, and industry rumors, visit Bleacher Report’s wrestling section.
[Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock after their WrestleMania 40 victory on Night 1 in Philadelphia on April 6, 2024. Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images]