Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents, Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024 | Bleacher Report
Bleacher Report delivers the latest updates from the WWE Universe, highlighting Roman Reigns’ candid comments on his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s potential WWE aspirations, and speculation surrounding the absence of NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40
During an appearance on the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 instead of The Rock, a change that stirred considerable buzz among WWE fans. Speaking with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns revealed that he was unfazed by the switch because his focus was solely on being in the main event and defending his title.
“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’s where, we just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening.”
Originally, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, positioning The Rock as the anticipated challenger. However, due to negative fan reactions, Rhodes reversed his decision, ultimately leading The Rock to turn heel as “The Final Boss” and align with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
When asked if a future match between Reigns and The Rock remains a possibility, the former Universal Champion was open to the idea, emphasizing the power of fan demand.
“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, though his intentions remain unclear. With an impending WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring The Bloodline factions, there could be an opportunity for The Rock to make another appearance and possibly reignite a feud with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently teased a potential foray into professional wrestling, specifically within WWE. In a YouTube video filmed backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Tommy expressed gratitude to WWE talent such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, and hinted at a desire to step into the wrestling ring one day.
“I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury boasts an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and notably remains the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul. Given his connections to the Paul brothers, who are also involved with WWE (notably Logan Paul as an active WWE Superstar), Tommy Fury’s potential crossover could create appealing storylines for mainstream audiences.
His brother Tyson previously worked with WWE, having one match at Crown Jewel 2019 and assisting in a notable backstage incident at Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy’s interest in WWE adds intrigue about possible future boxing-wrestling crossover storylines.
Oba Femi Absent from NXT – What’s Next for the Former North American Champion?
Reports have surfaced that Oba Femi has been missing from NXT tapings over the past month. After strong performances since debuting on NXT television in April 2023—including winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and holding the North American Championship for a record 272 days—Femi recently suffered back-to-back losses to Tony D’Angelo, culminating in losing the title at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Since that loss, Fightful Select reports no backstage sightings or mentions of Femi, leading to speculation about his status. Possible reasons for his absence include:
- A recovery period or injury break.
- A creative reset after significant defeats.
- Preparation for a main roster call-up.
- Time off to mitigate the impact of recent losses on his character.
Upon his return, Femi is widely regarded as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, as he remains a formidable presence within the brand.
Looking Ahead
- The coming Survivor Series event, featuring a WarGames match involving The Bloodline, may provide more clarity on The Rock’s WWE future and a possible confrontation with Roman Reigns.
- Tommy Fury’s evolving relationship with WWE could lead to future collaborations, especially with ties to the Paul brothers.
- Oba Femi’s return to NXT or potential main roster debut remains highly anticipated by fans following his impactful run.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for ongoing updates on these stories and more within the world of professional wrestling.
Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock look back at the ring after defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins during WrestleMania 40 Night 1 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6, 2024. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)