Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, as Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; NXT Rumors Swirl Around Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report dives into the latest developments from the WWE Universe, highlighting Roman Reigns’ recent comments on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury’s intrigue with WWE, and emerging rumors regarding NXT star Oba Femi’s absence.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possibility of Facing The Rock
In a revealing interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns discussed his mindset heading into WrestleMania 40 as he faced off against Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock, who was initially slated as his opponent. Reigns expressed a pragmatic view, emphasizing that being in the main event was what mattered most to him.
"It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… We just need to get there and defend this thing. It didn’t matter who it is," Reigns explained, noting how challengers were keen on taking him off the top spot.
Following Cody Rhodes’ victory at the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially stated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, leading to speculation that The Rock would fill that role. However, after fan backlash, Rhodes changed course, culminating in The Rock turning heel—renaming himself The Final Boss—and aligning with Reigns. Subsequently, Reigns and The Rock teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes won the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. While the highly anticipated Reigns vs. The Rock match didn’t materialize at WrestleMania 40, Reigns left the door open for it happening in the future, provided strong fan demand exists.
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," he said.
The Rock, who made a surprise return to WWE programming at the recent Bad Blood event, has remained mostly under the radar since, leaving fans eager for his next move. With an intense Bloodline WarGames match scheduled for Survivor Series, speculation is ripe that The Rock may resurface to renew his rivalry with his cousin Roman Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career Following UK Tour
Rising British boxer Tommy Fury has apparently caught the wrestling bug after spending time backstage during WWE’s recent UK tour. In a video posted to YouTube, Fury shared his experience mingling with WWE Superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. He also expressed interest in someday stepping into the ring himself.
"I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?" said Fury.
Tommy, 25, is the brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who briefly dabbled in WWE, notably defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019. Tommy himself boasts an undefeated professional boxing record and made waves by defeating social media star Jake Paul, fueling interest in his crossover appeal.
Given Tommy’s ties to the Paul family and his growing prominence, a potential WWE run could set up intriguing rivalries, especially with Logan Paul, currently a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. Additionally, a tag team showdown featuring the Fury brothers vs. the Paul brothers could attract mainstream attention and expand WWE’s audience.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not been seen on the NXT landscape since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc, raising questions about his status. Reliable sources at Fightful Select report no indication of Femi’s presence at recent NXT tapings.
Since his NXT debut in April 2023, Femi had enjoyed a meteoric rise, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee, holding the title for a record 272 days. However, back-to-back losses to D’Angelo, including a title rematch at Halloween Havoc, seemingly stalled his momentum.
The reasons behind Femi’s current absence are unclear—it could be a strategic pause to regroup after consecutive defeats, a potential injury, or even preparation for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Wrestling insiders note that NXT officials might be holding him off television to allow time for storyline recalibration.
Regardless, when Femi returns, many view him as a prime contender for the NXT Championship, potentially poised to dethrone Trick Williams.
For ongoing coverage of these stories and other wrestling news, listen to Ring Rust Radio, where experts break down the hottest topics in WWE and beyond.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns look back at the ring after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Lincoln Financial Field, April 6, 2024 (WWE/Getty Images).
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for more updates on WWE and sports entertainment.