Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 opponents, a boxing star’s interest in WWE, and NXT rumors on a rising talent.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
Roman Reigns recently opened up during an interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina about his thoughts facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40. The event saw Reigns and The Rock team up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Reigns downplayed any disappointment about not meeting The Rock in the main event, emphasizing his role as the main attraction:
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with, you know. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out… It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening."
Following Rhodes’ 2024 Royal Rumble win, he initially declined to challenge Reigns, setting the stage for The Rock’s return as “The Final Boss,” who aligned with Reigns to battle Rhodes and Rollins. The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance last month at Bad Blood, but his future intentions remain unclear.
When asked about a potential Reigns vs. Rock match, Reigns suggested it could happen if fan demand is strong enough:
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen."
With the upcoming Survivor Series featuring a WarGames match between original and new versions of The Bloodline, many speculate this could be a prime moment for The Rock to re-enter WWE storylines, possibly setting up a much-anticipated clash against his cousin.
Boxer Tommy Fury Opens Door to WWE Opportunities
Boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at exploring a career in professional wrestling. A video posted on YouTube shows Tommy backstage at a WWE UK tour event, where he interacted with WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury expressed enthusiasm about a potential WWE future:
"I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
At 25, Tommy Fury holds a perfect 10-0 professional boxing record and is notably the only fighter to defeat Jake Paul. Tyson Fury, his brother, previously had a brief WWE stint, including a match victory at Crown Jewel 2019 and a memorable interference at Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy’s connections with the Paul family and boxing celebrity status make him a compelling candidate for WWE, potentially creating engaging storylines involving Logan Paul and other crossover opportunities.
Oba Femi’s Unexplained Absence from NXT
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly not appeared at NXT tapings for over a month. His last televised match was a loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he also dropped the North American Championship after a dominant 272-day reign.
Fightful Select reports there has been no backstage sighting of Femi since the loss. While reasons for his absence remain unknown, possibilities include a strategic TV hiatus to recover from consecutive losses, injury, or preparation for a main roster call-up.
Femi, who debuted on NXT television in April 2023, quickly rose to prominence, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and securing the North American Championship by cashing in on Dragon Lee. Many wrestling insiders see him as a strong contender for future NXT Championship opportunities once he returns.
Bleacher Report will continue to follow these stories and more, keeping WWE fans informed on the latest developments inside and outside the ring.