Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, Discusses The Rock and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
In the latest updates from the WWE Universe, Roman Reigns shares insights on his WrestleMania 40 experience involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes, while boxer Tommy Fury hints at a potential wrestling career with WWE. Meanwhile, emerging NXT star Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from recent tapings, sparking speculation among fans.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Possible Rock Match
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina to discuss his role at WrestleMania 40 and the shifts in opponent plans leading up to the event. Initially, WWE fans anticipated a marquee match between Reigns and The Rock, Reigns’ iconic cousin and one of wrestling’s biggest stars. However, fan reactions and storyline changes eventually positioned Cody Rhodes as Reigns’ opponent for the event’s main title clash.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns was clear that the identity of his WrestleMania opponent was secondary to being in the main event spotlight.
"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," Reigns said. "They’re trying to stop history from happening. They’re trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me."
Following Rhodes’ victory in the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, it initially appeared that he would forgo challenging Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, opening the door for The Rock to step into the title picture. After negative fan reactions, Rhodes reversed course, leading The Rock to turn heel and reintroduce himself as “The Final Boss,” aligning with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, before Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the prospects of a future showdown against The Rock, Reigns acknowledged it could happen if the fans loudly demand it.
"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 said. "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 last month’s Bad Blood event but hasn’t revealed any long-term plans. With upcoming high-stakes matches like the WarGames bout featuring the new and original Bloodline at Survivor Series, there is speculation that The Rock might show up again, potentially setting the stage for a family showdown.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury has hinted that he may be open to entering the professional wrestling world, specifically with WWE. Recently seen backstage at a WWE show during their UK tour, Fury posted a YouTube video highlighting his experience mingling with WWE superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
"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," Fury said.
Tommy is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, the former world heavyweight boxing champion who had a memorable tune-up match with WWE in 2019 Crown Jewel event. Tommy boasts his own undefeated boxing record and is the only boxer to have beaten Jake Paul, a current WWE Superstar.
Given the familial ties and potential storyline intersections—especially considering Logan Paul’s ongoing WWE career—a Fury vs. Paul rivalry or tag team scenario could appeal to a broader audience, raising expectations for Tommy Fury to eventually join WWE.
Oba Femi Absent from NXT Programming
On the NXT front, Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has been noticeably absent from recent television tapings and storylines.
Sources indicate that Femi has not been seen backstage at NXT since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he lost the North American Championship after a lengthy, record-setting reign of 272 days. He also suffered a rematch loss against D’Angelo on the same event.
The exact reason for his absence remains unclear. It may be a strategic move by WWE’s creative team to allow Femi to regroup following consecutive defeats or possibly due to injury concerns. Since debuting in April 2023, Femi quickly rose through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing a major title, marking him as a promising star.
Femi’s next return is highly anticipated, with many speculating that he could soon target the NXT Championship, positioning him as a top contender in the brand’s future.
Stay tuned for more developments from WWE and the wrestling world as these stories continue to evolve.
Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images
[Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns after their WrestleMania 40 victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on April 6, 2024, in Philadelphia.]