Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report provides an update on some of the latest developments in the WWE universe, featuring interviews and backstage news about prominent figures such as Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury, and NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns opened up about the main event saga at WrestleMania 40, where fans witnessed shifting plans between him facing Cody Rhodes or his cousin, The Rock. Reigns emphasized that he was ultimately focused on being in the main event spotlight rather than fixating on his opponent’s identity.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns said. "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."
Following Cody Rhodes’ victory in the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he originally stated that he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, seemingly setting up The Rock for that coveted spot. However, citing a backlash from fans, Rhodes reversed this stance, which led to The Rock turning heel and aligning himself with Reigns as The Final Boss.
The culmination of this storyline saw The Rock and Roman Reigns team up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding the long-anticipated Reigns vs. The Rock match that never materialized, Reigns left the door open for a future bout, contingent 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 replied.
The Rock made a surprise WWE return at Bad Blood last month but has remained largely absent from TV. With the Bloodline factions renewing hostilities at Survivor Series in a WarGames match, the event could serve as an opportune moment for The Rock’s resurgence and potentially build toward the dream encounter with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations
British boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at a possible future in professional wrestling with WWE. In a YouTube video posted after attending a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, Tommy shared his backstage experiences with top WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" Fury said.
Tommy Fury, who boasts an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and is notably the only fighter to defeat Jake Paul, could attract crossover fans given his connections to the Paul family. His possible entry into WWE could spice up storylines involving Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, potentially setting up intriguing family-fueled rivalries or tag team matches in the future.
Oba Femi’s Absence From NXT Ignites Speculation
Oba Femi, the former North American Champion and breakout star of WWE NXT, has reportedly been absent from all NXT tapings in recent weeks. According to Fightful Select, there have been no records of Femi backstage since his loss at Halloween Havoc on October 27 to Tony D’Angelo.
The reasons behind Femi’s sudden disappearance remain unclear. It could be a strategic move by NXT officials to allow him time to recover following two high-profile losses, or possibly a precursor to a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Alternatively, injury concerns or storyline resets could also explain his time away from television.
After debuting in April 2023 and winning the NXT Breakout Tournament, Femi impressed fans by cashing in his title opportunity on Dragon Lee and holding the North American Championship for a record 272 days. With a promising future ahead, many expect Femi to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship upon his return.
Looking Ahead
With major events like Survivor Series showcasing battles within the Bloodline and potential surprise appearances, WWE fans are keeping a close eye on the evolving careers of Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury, and Oba Femi. Their respective trajectories could significantly shape WWE storylines heading into 2025. For more wrestling insights and the latest updates, continue following Bleacher Report and tune into Ring Rust Radio for in-depth discussions on hot WWE topics.
Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images
Image Description: The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, April 6, 2024.