Wrestling News Update: Roman Reigns on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, and NXT’s Oba Femi Status
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury hinting at possible WWE involvement, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns opened up about his mindset heading into WrestleMania 40, where he faced Cody Rhodes in the main event instead of The Rock, a bout that WWE fans had long anticipated.
Reigns emphasized that it didn’t matter to him who he faced as long as he was in the main event spotlight. He explained, “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out. It’s where we just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening.”
Following Rhodes’ 2024 men’s Royal Rumble victory, he initially declared he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, which seemed to clear a path for The Rock to step in. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reverse course, with The Rock turning heel and aligning with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” The duo triumphed over Rhodes and Seth Rollins at the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes defeated Reigns for the WWE title on Night 2. On the possibility of a future matchup with The Rock, Reigns said it depends 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 remarked. The Rock made a surprise appearance at last month’s WWE Bad Blood event but has yet to clarify his intentions or return to WWE programming since.
With the ongoing WarGames match between The Bloodline teams scheduled for Survivor Series, many speculate The Rock may reappear, potentially setting the stage for a long-awaited showdown with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Teases WWE Future
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at the possibility of entering the professional wrestling world with WWE.
In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury shared backstage footage from a WWE event during the company’s UK tour. Meeting WWE superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, Fury expressed enthusiasm for the wrestling scene: “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, Tommy Fury boasts an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and holds the distinction of being the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul. Given his existing ties with the Paul family—particularly Logan Paul, who is a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—Fury could be an ideal candidate for future WWE storylines, including a high-profile feud or tag match featuring the Fury and Paul brothers.
Tyson Fury himself has a history with WWE, having wrestled Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and stirring the crowd at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022. —
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not been spotted at recent NXT tapings over the past month, sparking speculation about his status in the company.
Fightful Select reports that Femi has been absent from backstage footage and tapings since suffering back-to-back losses to Tony D’Angelo, first dropping the North American Championship after a 272-day reign and then losing a rematch at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi quickly established himself as a dominant force, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title by cashing in a contract against Dragon Lee.
His current absence could be related to various factors, including taking time to regroup after the losses, potential injury, or preparation for a main roster call-up. Alternatively, it might be a storyline decision to allow his momentum to reset. When he returns, Femi is widely considered a strong contender for the NXT Championship, possibly as a credible challenger to current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned for More Wrestling News
For comprehensive wrestling updates, including live event grades and detailed analysis, follow Bleacher Report’s wrestling coverage. Wrestling fans can also listen to Ring Rust Radio for in-depth discussions on current wrestling topics.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns celebrating their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, April 6, 2024. Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images