WWE Insider Updates: Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
Bleacher Report’s latest WWE coverage brings fans up to speed with significant developments involving key personalities within the WWE universe. From Roman Reigns addressing his WrestleMania 40 storyline and future possibilities with The Rock, to boxing star Tommy Fury hinting at a WWE future, and reports of Oba Femi’s recent absence from NXT, here’s a detailed recap.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Potential Rock Match
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE Superstar Roman Reigns opened up about the whirlwind involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40. Reigns revealed that he was focused on one thing: being in the main event and defending his title regardless of his opponent. When asked if he was disappointed facing Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns stated,
“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.”
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw uncertainty as Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This situation suggested The Rock would become the challenger. Fan backlash forced a quick reversal, with Rhodes stepping up and The Rock turning heel, adopting his new “The Final Boss” persona allied with Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, night one featured The Rock and Reigns defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, while night two saw Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns. Despite the much-anticipated Rock vs. Reigns match not happening, Roman hinted that the dream matchup might still be on the table:
“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 at the Bad Blood event last month, though his intentions remain unclear. With the upcoming Survivor Series set to feature a WarGames match involving the new and original versions of The Bloodline, fans speculate that The Rock may appear again, perhaps setting the stage for his long-awaited clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE
Tommy Fury, undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, teased a potential WWE career during WWE’s recent UK tour. Posting a backstage video on YouTube, Fury praised several WWE stars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, and expressed enthusiasm for possibly stepping into the wrestling ring:
“Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy’s brother Tyson had a brief but notable WWE stint, winning a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and causing disruption at Clash at the Castle 2022 by knocking out Austin Theory from the crowd.
Tommy Fury’s sporting pedigree and undefeated record (10-0 boxing) alongside his unique crossover appeal — he notably beat YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul — positions him as a natural fit for WWE’s evolving storylines. Given Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, is an active WWE Superstar and former U.S. Champion, a potential Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers storyline could draw mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Raises Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from WWE’s NXT tapings over the past month, according to reports from Fightful Select. Since losing the North American title to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, Femi has not appeared on NXT television or backstage.
Femi initially debuted on NXT in April 2023 and swiftly rose to prominence by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament. He cashed in his opportunity to capture the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee, holding the title for a record-setting 272 days before losing it to D’Angelo. Following a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc, the future trajectory of Femi’s character remains uncertain.
While no official reason has been given for his absence, possibilities include a planned break for storyline purposes, time to recover from injury, or preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. His demonstrated talent and history suggest he could return as a significant player when the timing is right.
Looking Ahead
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Roman Reigns vs. The Rock: Fans eagerly await any developments that might bring this iconic matchup to fruition. With both stars seemingly open, the coming months will be crucial in determining WWE’s direction.
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Tommy Fury: Boxing’s undefeated prospect could soon add WWE wrestling to his resume, expanding his cross-sport appeal and potentially sparking fresh, high-profile rivalries.
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Oba Femi: NXT watchers will hope for the former champion’s return, anticipating how WWE will reposition him after a string of significant losses.
Stay tuned as Bleacher Report continues to monitor these evolving stories in the WWE Universe.
Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock celebrated their WrestleMania 40 Night 1 victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)