Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career; Oba Femi Missing from NXT
By Mike Chiari — Bleacher Report, November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe has been abuzz with recent developments inside and outside the ring. From Roman Reigns’ take on WrestleMania 40 main event shuffles to boxer Tommy Fury’s hints at a wrestling future, to NXT star Oba Femi’s absence from television, Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates and backstage insights.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possible Future Clash with The Rock
Roman Reigns shared candid thoughts regarding his WrestleMania 40 main event matchup during an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. The Original Tribal Chief reflected on WWE’s changing plans between having him face Cody Rhodes or The Rock in the marquee spot.
Asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of his cousin The Rock, Reigns emphasized that being in the main event was the priority rather than the specific opponent. He explained:
“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. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
Notably, after Rhodes’ victory in the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble, he initially announced he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, leading to speculation about The Rock stepping into that spot. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse course, which coincided with The Rock turning heel and adopting the "Final Boss" persona, aligning himself with Reigns. This alliance paid off with The Rock and Reigns defeating Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40, only for Rhodes to capture the WWE title from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
With the anticipated one-on-one showdown between Reigns and The Rock on hold, Traina inquired about the possibility of such a match in the future. Reigns indicated that if the fan demand is strong and The People’s Champion is willing, WWE could make it happen:
“If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has kept his intentions under wraps since. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring both the new and original versions of The Bloodline, speculation is high that The Rock may reappear and possibly start building toward a future clash with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at Wrestling Career with WWE
In a recent YouTube video posted Sunday, British boxer Tommy Fury hinted at an interest in stepping into the world of professional wrestling and potentially joining WWE. Fury was seen backstage during WWE’s recent UK tour, engaging with several WWE Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He expressed gratitude for the reception he received and teased the prospect of wrestling:
“Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Fury, 25, is the younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who has previous WWE experience. Tyson Fury had a one-off match at Crown Jewel 2019 and famously intervened in a Money in the Bank cash-in attempt at Clash at the Castle in 2022. Tommy Fury boasts an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and is notable for being the only person to defeat Jake Paul, placing him in proximity to WWE’s Paul family—a potential storyline angle should he debut in WWE. A cross-promotional tag-team feud featuring the Paul brothers and Fury brothers could attract mainstream attention if pursued.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings for over a month, according to Fightful Select. Femi has not appeared since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 2024. The reason for his absence remains unclear. It may be a strategic break following two consecutive losses or possibly due to injury. The 28-year-old star, who debuted on NXT television in April 2023, rapidly established himself as a dominant competitor. He won the NXT Breakout Tournament and captured the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee, maintaining a record 272-day reign before dropping the title and the subsequent rematch to D’Angelo.
Industry insiders speculate that Femi’s hiatus could signal impending movement to WWE’s main roster or a period of repackaging. Upon his return, he is considered a strong contender for the NXT Championship and a potential challenger to current champion Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned for More WWE News and Analysis
Bleacher Report will continue monitoring these storylines and provide updates on Roman Reigns, Tommy Fury, Oba Femi, and the wider WWE universe. Fans eager for the latest can catch more wrestling discussions in our Ring Rust Radio podcast and video content.
Photo caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns reflect on victory after defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 on April 6, 2024. (WWE/Getty Images)
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