Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career, and NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence
In the latest updates from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns shared his candid thoughts on facing both The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at pursuing a career in WWE, and former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent NXT programming.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40: Facing Cody Rhodes, The Rock’s Future Prospects
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast hosted by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns discussed the main event dynamics of WrestleMania 40 and reflected on the shifting scenarios involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
Reigns revealed that the identity of his WrestleMania opponent was not a major concern for him. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” said Reigns. “We just needed to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it was. They are trying to stop history from happening; they’re trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
The original plan for WrestleMania 40’s WWE Championship match fluctuated after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble and initially declined to challenge Reigns, opening the door for The Rock’s involvement. However, due to fan backlash, Rhodes reversed that decision. This led to The Rock turning heel — adopting the persona “The Final Boss” — and aligning with Reigns. The two cousins teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns in the main event on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future direct showdown with The Rock, Reigns expressed openness, emphasizing fan demand and company vision: “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 an unannounced WWE return last month at Bad Blood but has yet to clarify his intentions or make additional appearances. With The Bloodline factions set for a WarGames match at Survivor Series, fans could see The Rock re-emerge soon, potentially signifying a lead-in to a future match with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE Opportunity
Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury, surprised fans by hinting at a possible pro wrestling future. In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury shared footage from backstage at a recent WWE UK tour event, where he met various WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“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,” Fury said. “Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, 25, boasts an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and holds the unique distinction of being the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul. Given his brother Tyson’s brief WWE history – including a victory via count-out over Braun Strowman in 2019 and an infamous knockout of Austin Theory at Clash at the Castle in 2022 – many see potential for Tommy to become a notable presence in WWE. He could attract mainstream interest particularly in potential rivalry or tag matches involving the Paul brothers, who are also prominent WWE personalities.
Oba Femi Absent From NXT Following Title Loss
NXT fans have noted the absence of standout talent Oba Femi since his defeat at Halloween Havoc. According to reports from Fightful Select, there has been no indication that Femi has been backstage for NXT tapings in recent weeks.
Femi, who made a strong impact after his televised NXT debut in April 2023 by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and then capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, lost the title after a lengthy 272-day reign to Tony D’Angelo last month. Femi also was defeated in a rematch at Halloween Havoc but hasn’t appeared on NXT television afterward.
The reasons for his hiatus remain unclear. It may be a strategic decision by NXT management to allow Femi time to regroup following two significant losses, or possibly preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Alternatively, he might be recovering from injury. Given Femi’s talent and popularity, a strong return with eyes on the NXT Championship seems probable once he is ready.
These developments mark an exciting period of transition and speculation within WWE, with established stars like Reigns and The Rock navigating their legacies, emerging stars like Tommy Fury considering new paths, and rising talents like Oba Femi poised for their next career chapters. Fans will be watching closely as these stories develop in the coming months.