Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Opportunity; NXT Rumors Surround Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report, November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you up to speed with the latest happenings in the WWE Universe, including candid insights from Roman Reigns, potential crossover athlete Tommy Fury’s WWE interest, and intriguing developments in NXT involving Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 main event experience and his thoughts regarding The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
During his conversation with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Reigns discussed WWE’s uncertainty leading up to the marquee match at WrestleMania 40—whether he would face The Rock or Cody Rhodes. When asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns emphasized that being in the main event was what truly mattered. He stated:
"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. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me."
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw some twists. After Rhodes won the 2024 Royal Rumble, he originally indicated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania. This raised expectations for a Reigns vs. The Rock showdown. However, negative fan reaction prompted Rhodes to reverse course, leading to The Rock turning heel as "The Final Boss" and aligning himself with Reigns.
On Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins. On Night 2, Rhodes eventually captured the WWE Championship by beating Reigns.
Addressing the possibility of a future Reigns vs. Rock match, which is highly anticipated by fans, Reigns was optimistic but noted it depends on audience interest:
"I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something, we’re a company who—we’re not being dictated to. We have a vision for where we’re trying to go, but we know who the consumers are. We know who’s paying their hard-earned money, and we want to satisfy those people."
He added:
"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 Bad Blood last month but has yet to clarify his intentions or reappear since. With the Bloodline factions clashing in a WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock could resurface and potentially initiate a storyline leading to a clash with his cousin, Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Interest After Backstage Visit
Boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has teased a possible future in professional wrestling with WWE.
Fury shared a video on YouTube from a recent WWE UK tour, where he interacted with various WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. Reflecting on the experience, Fury expressed enthusiasm and left the door open for a wrestling career:
“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. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, undefeated at 10-0 in professional boxing and famously the only person to defeat Jake Paul, could be a compelling addition to WWE’s roster. Given Logan Paul’s status as a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, a storyline involving the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers could draw mainstream attention and capitalize on existing rivalries.
NXT Update: Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Raises Questions
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has notably been absent from NXT tapings for over a month, fueling rumors about his status in the company.
According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage at NXT events since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons remain unclear—whether it involves injury, a planned storyline break, or preparation for a potential call-up to WWE’s main roster.
Femi, who debuted on WWE television in April 2023, quickly made an impact by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and subsequently cashing in his opportunity to claim the North American Title by defeating Dragon Lee. He held the championship for a record-breaking 272 days before suffering his first televised loss to D’Angelo last month, followed by a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc.
While his absence could be a strategic pause following consecutive defeats, Femi remains a strong contender for future NXT storylines, potentially targeting the NXT Championship and positioning himself as a prime challenger to Trick Williams.
Summary
- Roman Reigns expressed no disappointment facing Cody Rhodes over The Rock at WrestleMania 40 and left open the possibility of a future match against The Rock depending on fan interest.
- Tommy Fury hinted at a potential WWE career after attending a WWE show in the UK and connecting with top Superstars.
- Oba Femi’s extended absence from NXT raises speculation about his next career steps following his recent losses.
For all these stories and more WWE updates, stay tuned to Bleacher Report.
Listen to the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio for deeper insights into WWE’s hottest topics.