Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT Tapings
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024
In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, fans are keeping a close eye on WWE’s top stars and emerging talents. Recently, major updates have surfaced concerning Roman Reigns’ candid thoughts on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, boxer Tommy Fury’s interest in WWE, and NXT’s Oba Femi’s unexplained absence from recent shows. Here is the latest from the WWE Universe.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Prospective Match with The Rock
During an appearance on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns shared insights about the lead-up to WrestleMania 40’s main event and his interactions with both The Rock and Cody Rhodes. With the WrestleMania main event initially expected to feature Reigns versus The Rock, the eventual opponent change to Cody Rhodes created buzz among fans.
Asked if he felt disappointed by the last-minute switch from The Rock to Rhodes, Reigns explained that the opponent did not matter to him as much as being in the main event and defending his championship:
“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. They are trying to stop history from happening.”
Reigns elaborated on the situation after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble and initially declined to challenge him for the WWE Championship, sparking speculation about a potential Rock matchup. However, fan displeasure caused Rhodes to reverse course, leading to a storyline where The Rock turned heel, became The Final Boss, and aligned with Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, Reigns and The Rock teamed up to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes then regained the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding the long-anticipated dream match between The Rock and Reigns that did not occur at WrestleMania 40, Reigns indicated the door remains open for the future if the fans demand it:
“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 appearance at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has yet to clarify his future plans within the company. With an upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring The Bloodline factions, speculation is rising about a potential Rock return and storyline build toward a showdown with Reigns, his cousin.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
British boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, has hinted at exploring opportunities within WWE. In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Fury expressed gratitude to WWE performers and indicated a possible future inside the squared circle:
“I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, undefeated in his professional boxing career and notable for defeating YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, may present an intriguing crossover for WWE. Given his connection to the Paul family—his relationship with Jake Paul and the existing WWE presence of Logan Paul—Fury could join the roster as a mainstream crossover attraction. WWE fans and company officials are likely to keep a close watch on developments regarding Fury’s wrestling potential.
Oba Femi Missing from Recent NXT Tapings
Reports have surfaced that Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen backstage during recent NXT tapings since his loss at Halloween Havoc on October 27. According to Fightful Select, there has been no indication of his involvement in current NXT programming or presence behind the scenes.
Femi’s absence comes after a significant run that included capturing the North American Championship by cashing in his Breakout Tournament win. He held the title for a record 272 days before dropping it to Tony D’Angelo and subsequently losing the rematch at Halloween Havoc.
Reasons for Femi’s current absence remain unclear. It could be a strategic decision to allow storylines to reset following two high-profile losses, signal a potential main roster call-up, or a possible injury hiatus. When Femi returns, he is widely regarded as a strong contender to pursue the NXT Championship, potentially challenging reigning champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report and WWE programming for further updates on these evolving stories within the wrestling landscape. For deeper discussions on current wrestling topics, listeners can check out the Ring Rust Radio podcast.
Photo Caption: WWE Superstars Roman Reigns and The Rock reflect after their victorious match against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, April 6, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)