Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence: Latest WWE Updates
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling ambitions, and rumors surrounding former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40 Main Event Dynamics
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE superstar Roman Reigns opened up about his experiences and thoughts regarding his main event matchup at WrestleMania 40. The bout saw Reigns face Cody Rhodes in the spotlight, though The Rock was initially expected to challenge for the WWE Championship.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns expressed indifference about his opponent, emphasizing the significance of being in the main event itself. He stated, "It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… 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.”
The storyline surrounding the match saw Rhodes win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially decide not to challenge Reigns for the title at WrestleMania. This led to The Rock being positioned as the challenger. However, negative fan reactions prompted a reversal, culminating in The Rock turning heel, adopting the moniker The Final Boss, aligning with Reigns, and teaming with him at WrestleMania Night 1 to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins. The next night, Rhodes defeated Reigns to capture the WWE Championship.
Looking ahead, Reigns was asked about the prospects of a future match with The Rock. He suggested that such a contest would depend on fan interest: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen." The Rock, who made a surprise return at the recent Bad Blood event, has not yet clarified his intentions or made further appearances, but speculation remains that he could return during upcoming events like Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations During UK Tour
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at a possible career venture into professional wrestling with WWE. Posting a video from backstage at a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, Fury expressed enthusiasm about the experience and hinted at future involvement.
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation," Fury said. "And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury, boasting an undefeated 10-0 professional boxing record and noted as the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul, could present a compelling WWE addition. Given the existing relationships between the Fury and Paul families—Logan Paul is a current WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—there is potential for crossover storylines, including a tag team scenario involving the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers.
Oba Femi Absent from NXT Programming Amid Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings over the past month. After his defeat to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, Femi has not appeared on television nor been seen backstage for NXT events, according to Fightful Select.
Femi’s absence remains unexplained. It could be part of an extended break following two successive losses or a strategic creative decision by NXT officials. Since debuting in April 2023, Femi had a strong run, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and claiming the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee. His 272-day title reign ended with a surprising loss to D’Angelo.
Speculation about Femi’s future ranges from a possible main roster call-up, injury recovery, or a temporary storyline reset. Fans anticipate that when he returns, Femi could contend for the NXT Championship—potentially engaging in a feud with current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for continuous updates on WWE and other sports news.
For more wrestling discussions and insights, listen to the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio.
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