Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; NXT Rumors Surround Oba Femi
Bleacher Report offers an update on the latest happenings and rumors circulating within the WWE universe, including insights from Roman Reigns, the boxing star Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling aspirations, and intriguing developments involving NXT standout Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and a Possible Future Match With The Rock
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE’s Roman Reigns opened up about his experience facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 instead of The Rock, as was initially speculated. Reigns shared that his focus was never on the opponent but rather on being the main event and defending his championship.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face 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 didn’t matter who it is. 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.” (via Nikunj Walia of Ringside News)
After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially stated he would not challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40, leading to speculation that The Rock would step into that spot. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse course, which coincided with The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker The Final Boss and aligning with Reigns. The duo defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Reigns also addressed the possibility of a future match with The Rock. Explaining the importance of fan demand, he said, “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” The Rock surprised fans with an unannounced WWE return at last month’s Bad Blood event, though his plans remain unclear. With the ongoing WarGames match rivalry featuring both the new and original Bloodline factions, a potential Rock vs. Reigns clash could become a focal point at upcoming events like Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Hints at Potential WWE Career After Backstage Visit
Boxing sensation Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, hinted at a future in professional wrestling after appearing backstage at a recent WWE event during the company’s UK tour. Sharing a video on YouTube, Tommy expressed enthusiasm for the experience and respect for WWE stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He remarked, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” (via Felix Upton of Ringside News)
Tommy Fury, 25, boasts an undefeated boxing record and notably defeated Jake Paul, setting the stage for intriguing crossover potential given the Paul family’s WWE connections. His brother Tyson Fury previously competed in WWE, securing a win over Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019, and more recently interrupted Austin Theory’s Money in the Bank cash-in at WWE Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy’s involvement could lead to high-profile angles involving Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States champion, sparking fan interest in a potential Paul brothers vs. Fury brothers storyline.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Sparks Speculation
Reports have emerged that former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been absent from NXT tapings for roughly a month following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. According to Fightful Select (cited by H Jenkins of Ringside News), no backstage talks or appearances involving Femi have been reported since then.
The reasons for Femi’s absence remain unclear. It could be a strategic decision to allow Femi to regroup after back-to-back defeats, or possibly preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Alternatively, it might indicate Femi is recovering from injury or simply being rested until the impact of his losses diminishes.
Since debuting in April 2023, Femi quickly rose through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. He held the title for a record 272 days before falling to D’Angelo. Upon his eventual return, Femi would be poised as a top contender for the NXT Championship, potentially challenging titleholder Trick Williams.
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Source: Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report, November 27, 2024