Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Spot; NXT Rumors Surround Oba Femi
In the ever-evolving world of WWE, major storylines and potential future developments continue to capture the attention of wrestling fans. Recently, several intriguing updates have surfaced involving Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, boxing star Tommy Fury, and rising NXT talent Oba Femi. Here’s a closer look at the latest news and backstage rumors reshaping WWE’s landscape.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possible Future Clash with The Rock
Roman Reigns opened up in a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, discussing his main event run at WrestleMania 40 and his experience facing Cody Rhodes instead of his cousin The Rock. Reigns explained that it didn’t matter to him who he faced, as long as he was the center of attention in the main event.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… They are trying to stop history from happening. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me," Reigns stated.
Initially, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, it seemed like The Rock would challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40 instead of Rhodes. However, due to negative fan reaction, Rhodes reversed his decision, setting up a storyline where The Rock turned heel, adopting the "The Final Boss" persona and aligning himself with Roman Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, Reigns and The Rock teamed up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes recaptured the WWE Championship from Reigns in the Night 2 main event. The much-anticipated one-on-one match between Reigns and The Rock did not materialize, but Reigns suggested it remains a possibility if the fans make their voices heard.
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns said.
With The Rock making a surprise return to WWE programming at the recent Bad Blood event—although without clearly stated intentions—speculation is rife about whether he might reemerge soon, potentially at upcoming shows like Survivor Series’ WarGames match, which features The Bloodline storyline prominently.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at Possible Career in WWE
Tommy Fury, the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, recently shared a glimpse of his backstage experience at a WWE show during the company’s UK tour via a YouTube video. He expressed admiration for several WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, while also hinting that wrestling could be in his future.
"I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" Fury teased.
Tommy Fury is undefeated in professional boxing and is notably the only fighter to have defeated social media star Jake Paul. Given Tommy’s existing ties to the Paul family—with Logan Paul being an active WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—the possibility of Tommy Fury entering WWE storylines, potentially against the Paul brothers or in a tag match alongside them, could appeal to mainstream audiences.
His brother Tyson Fury previously wrestled in WWE, defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019 and recently made headlines by knocking out Austin Theory at Clash at the Castle 2022, stopping Theory from cashing in the Money in the Bank contract.
Oba Femi’s Recent NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
NXT star Oba Femi, a former North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from WWE’s developmental brand tapings for about a month. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been backstage or seen on NXT since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, marking a rare gap in his rising trajectory.
Femi made a splash after debuting on NXT television in April 2023, quickly winning the NXT Breakout Tournament before cashing in his title opportunity to dethrone Dragon Lee. His impressive 272-day reign as North American Champion ended with a loss to D’Angelo, followed by a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc.
The reason for his current absence remains unclear. Some speculate it could be due to injury, a brief reset period to recover from consecutive losses, or preparation for a main roster call-up. Others suggest it might be a strategic creative decision to keep him off TV while the dust settles.
When Femi returns, many believe he could position himself as a top contender for the NXT Championship, potentially leading the next wave of NXT talent aiming for the brand’s top prize.
Looking Ahead
From Roman Reigns’ reflections on his WrestleMania encounters and possible future with The Rock, Tommy Fury’s flirtation with WWE stardom, to Oba Femi’s unexplained hiatus from NXT action, WWE’s landscape continues to be vibrant and full of potential surprises.
As full-time programming, pay-per-view events, and talent movements shape the future, fans remain eager to see how these storylines and potential signings will develop in the coming months.
Stay tuned for more updates on WWE Universe happenings.
Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images – Roman Reigns and The Rock after their victory at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.