Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes Rivalry; Tommy Fury Considers WWE Future; NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Sparks Speculation
By Mike Chiari | November 28, 2024
In the latest updates from the WWE universe, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 opponents The Rock and Cody Rhodes, boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a potential future in professional wrestling with WWE, and questions loom over NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence from television.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and Potential Rock Match
Roman Reigns opened up during an interview on the SI Media podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina about the dynamic surrounding WrestleMania 40, where he ultimately faced Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the main event. Addressing whether he was disappointed by the change, Reigns emphasized that being in the main event was his primary focus.
Reigns said, "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy everyone wanted to dance with. They were trying to stop history from happening, trying to take us off the pinnacle. The task was the same regardless of the opponent."
The storyline shifted multiple times following Rhodes’ 2024 men’s Royal Rumble victory. Rhodes initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, leading to speculation about The Rock taking that spot. After negative fan reactions, Rhodes reconsidered, which resulted in The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker "The Final Boss" and forming an alliance with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes claimed the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, when asked about a potential future match with The Rock, Reigns left the door open, provided 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," he said. Notably, The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance at last month’s Bad Blood event but has yet to clarify his intentions or return.
With the intense WarGames match featuring The Bloodline factions set for Survivor Series, many speculate it could be the perfect opportunity for The Rock to emerge and once again build towards a legendary showdown with his cousin.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Involvement
Tommy Fury, professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, shared a glimpse behind the scenes of WWE’s recent UK tour via a YouTube video posted Sunday. Fury mingled with WWE superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, and expressed enthusiasm about potentially stepping into the squared circle one day.
He remarked, "Big up to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury, who holds an undefeated 10-0 record in boxing and is the only boxer to have beaten Jake Paul, could be a strong candidate for transitioning into pro wrestling. His high-profile connections to the Paul family, especially with Logan Paul—a current WWE Superstar—open the door for engaging storylines, including potential family rivalry tag matches that could attract a mainstream audience.
His older brother Tyson Fury’s brief WWE stint included a victory over Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and a memorable intervention at Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy’s exploration of WWE adds intrigue for fans curious to see if he will follow suit.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Raises Questions
Oba Femi, a former NXT North American Champion, has been notably absent from NXT programming since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Reports from Fightful Select, cited by Ringside News, indicate that Femi has not been seen backstage at recent tapings, and no updates have been provided regarding his status.
Femi enjoyed a breakout run after his April 2023 NXT debut, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee. His reign lasted a record 272 days before falling to D’Angelo last month, followed by a quick loss in their rematch.
While reasons for his hiatus remain unclear—speculation ranges from a potential main roster call-up, injury recovery, or a strategic break to recalibrate his character—the door remains open for a strong return. Many anticipate Femi could emerge as a prime contender to challenge for the NXT Championship, potentially ending Trick Williams’ reign.
Looking Forward
With the WWE landscape changing rapidly post-WrestleMania 40 and Survivor Series looming, the involvement of legends like The Rock, emerging stars such as Tommy Fury, and promising talents like Oba Femi could shape new directions for the company. Fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see how these storylines develop.
For ongoing coverage of WWE news and more, listen to the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio and stay tuned for updates.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns share a moment after teaming to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 Night 1 in Philadelphia. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)