Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi Missing from NXT
By Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you up to speed with the latest buzz from the WWE Universe, featuring insights from Roman Reigns, potential WWE plans from boxer Tommy Fury, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future The Rock Match
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina where he candidly discussed the highly anticipated main event scenarios for WrestleMania 40, sharing his thoughts on facing both Cody Rhodes and The Rock.
When asked if he was disappointed to face Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at the event, Reigns was direct and unbothered by the opponent choice. “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… 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,” Reigns explained.
The storyline leading up to WrestleMania 40 saw Rhodes winning the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble and initially stating he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This stirred anticipation around a potential Reigns vs. The Rock matchup. After a fan backlash against plans shifting this way, Rhodes reversed course, culminating in The Rock turning heel as "The Final Boss" and teaming with Reigns to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. However, Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
On the possibility of a future showdown between Reigns and The Rock, Reigns indicated the door remains open 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,” he said. The Rock’s surprise return at last month’s Bad Blood event, albeit without clear intentions, and the WarGames match between different versions of The Bloodline at Survivor Series, present potential opportunities for the cousins to clash in the future.
Tommy Fury Signals Interest in WWE Career
Boxing sensation Tommy Fury, the undefeated younger brother of former world champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a possible transition to professional wrestling by joining WWE’s ranks.
On Sunday, Fury shared footage on YouTube showcasing his backstage visit during WWE’s recent UK tour. He praised the talent and atmosphere, giving shoutouts to stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night,” he commented.
Tommy Fury’s notable boxing accomplishments, including his undefeated 10-0 record and a win over YouTube personality Jake Paul, make his WWE entrance an intriguing proposition. His family connections and prior interactions with WWE — Tyson Fury’s match against Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and memorable moments at events like WWE Clash at the Castle — add further allure. A potential feud or tag team match pitting the Fury brothers against the Paul brothers, who are also entwined with WWE storylines, could attract mainstream attention.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
NXT star Oba Femi, a former North American Champion, has not been seen on NXT programming for roughly a month, sparking speculation among fans and insiders.
Sources such as Fightful Select report no backstage presence for Femi since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc. While the reason remains unclear, it could be a strategic pause following two consecutive losses or possibly a sign of injury.
Femi impressed after his NXT debut in April 2023, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and defeating Dragon Lee to claim the North American Championship, which he held for a record 272 days before losing it to D’Angelo. His absence has led to rumors that he might be preparing for a main roster call-up or is being rested to retool his character.
Upon return, Femi would be a strong contender for the NXT Championship and might be the right candidate to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams, rejuvenating the NXT scene.
Stay Tuned
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Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images
Roman Reigns and The Rock after their WrestleMania 40 tag team victory on Night 1