WWE News Roundup: Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report | November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe has been buzzing with recent developments involving some of its biggest names. From Roman Reigns discussing his WrestleMania 40 experiences and future possibilities with The Rock, to boxer Tommy Fury hinting at a potential wrestling career, and NXT fan-favorite Oba Femi’s sudden absence from programming, here’s what you need to know from the latest WWE news cycle.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40 and The Rock Match Prospects
In a candid interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on the highly-publicized main event scenarios for WrestleMania 40. Reigns delivered insight regarding the final choice to have him face Cody Rhodes instead of his cousin, The Rock.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns was unequivocal: it didn’t matter to him as long as he was main eventing. He explained, “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with.” Reigns stressed that his mission was to defend his championship against anyone trying to stop history in the making.
The back-and-forth leading to the WrestleMania 40 match saw Rhodes, the 2024 Royal Rumble winner, initially refusing to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, which opened the door for The Rock’s anticipated return. However, fan backlash led Rhodes to reverse his decision, resulting in The Rock turning heel and joining forces with Reigns as The Final Boss. This alliance resulted in a Night 1 victory over Rhodes and Seth Rollins, followed by Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, Traina posed the possibility of a future Reigns vs. The Rock bout. Reigns acknowledged that while WWE has a vision, fan demand often influences decisions. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he stated. The Rock’s unannounced return at last month’s Bad Blood and their upcoming confrontation in Survivor Series’ WarGames match have only fueled speculation of a potential showdown.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Outside the wrestling ring, boxer Tommy Fury expressed interest in eventually stepping into WWE. The younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury shared a YouTube video Monday showcasing his backstage experiences during WWE’s recent UK tour. He met numerous WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, praising their professionalism and hospitality.
In the video, Fury said, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows?” Tommy Fury’s undefeated 10-0 boxing record and notable victory over internet personality Jake Paul—whose brother Logan Paul is an active WWE Superstar—could make him a natural fit for WWE storylines. Given the familial ties and potential crossover appeal, a tag-team or rivalry featuring the Fury and Paul brothers could attract a wide audience.
Tyson Fury’s limited WWE stint culminated in a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and a memorable incident at Clash at the Castle 2022 where he knocked out Austin Theory, preventing a Money in the Bank cash-in. Tommy Fury now appears ready to carve his own niche within WWE if the opportunity arises.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence From NXT Sparks Speculation
NXT’s former North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared at any tapings or episodes for the past month, according to Fightful Select. Femi’s last televised match was a loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, which ended his record-setting 272-day title reign. Following a rematch loss, Femi has been noticeably absent backstage and on television.
While the reasons behind his hiatus remain unclear, industry insiders suggest it may be a strategic move to help him recover from recent setbacks or possibly to prepare him for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Femi has an impressive track record in NXT since debuting in April 2023, including winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship.
Fans hoping for Femi’s return could anticipate a push towards the NXT Championship, potentially positioning him to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams. Whether his absence is injury-related, creative-driven, or a temporary break, Femi remains a strong contender to make a prominent impact upon reappearance.
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Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock celebrate their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 Night 1. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)