Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024, Bleacher Report
In the latest updates from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns shares his thoughts on WrestleMania 40 and his potential future matchup with The Rock, while boxer Tommy Fury hints at exploring a WWE career. Meanwhile, wrestling insider reports reveal that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from recent show tapings, sparking speculation about his status with the company.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 and The Rock
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, providing candid insights into his experience surrounding WrestleMania 40’s main event scene. Fans speculated extensively on whether Reigns would face his cousin The Rock or Cody Rhodes, who won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble.
Addressing rumors about disappointment over facing Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns said, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… It was the same task in hand for me.” He emphasized that while WWE management debated the opponent, his focus remained on defending the WWE Championship against whoever was chosen.
Initially, after Rhodes won the Royal Rumble, he announced he wouldn’t challenge Reigns at WrestleMania, which led to anticipation for a Rock versus Reigns showdown. However, fan backlash caused Rhodes to reverse his stance, and The Rock turned heel to become "The Final Boss," aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. On Night 2, Cody Rhodes claimed the WWE title by defeating Reigns.
Reigns also addressed the possibility of a future match against The Rock, contingent upon fan interest and company alignment. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” Reigns added. The Rock made a surprise WWE return at the recent Bad Blood event but has not publicly stated his plans since.
With the upcoming Survivor Series featuring a WarGames match between the new and original versions of The Bloodline, hopes are rising that The Rock could reappear and help build toward a dream match with Roman Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at a possible future in professional wrestling. In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury shared footage of himself backstage at a WWE show during the company’s UK tour, mingling with WWE talents including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury expressed gratitude for the warm reception and teased, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” His comments sparked excitement about the prospect of him transitioning to WWE.
Tommy, 25, boasts an undefeated 10-0 record in professional boxing and is notable for being the only boxer to defeat YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Given his family ties and existing relationships with the Paul family, he could fit well into WWE storylines, perhaps even facing Logan Paul, the current WWE Superstar and former United States Champion.
His brother Tyson Fury has a history with WWE, having competed once at Crown Jewel 2019, and even made headlines at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022 by knocking out Austin Theory to prevent a Money in the Bank cash-in.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Sparks Rumors
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably missing from recent NXT tapings, according to Fightful Select. Since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, reports indicate no sign of Femi backstage or on television.
Oba Femi, a former University of Alabama shot put star, made a strong impact on NXT after debuting in April 2023. He embarked on a dominant run, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship with a record breaking 272-day reign before losing it to D’Angelo last month. He also lost the rematch at Halloween Havoc.
The reasons for his hiatus remain unclear. It could be a strategic break to regroup after two losses, potential injury recovery, or preparation for a main roster call-up. Industry insiders speculate that when Femi returns, he might target the NXT Championship, positioning himself as a top contender to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned for more updates from the ever-evolving WWE scene. For additional wrestling insights and interviews, listen to Ring Rust Radio and catch the latest episodes.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns at WrestleMania 40, April 6, 2024, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)
Topics: Roman Reigns, The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury, Oba Femi, WWE, NXT, WrestleMania 40, WWE Championship, Survivor Series
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