Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Matchups, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari | Bleacher Report | November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe is buzzing with updates as some of wrestling’s biggest names share insights about their careers and future plans. Here’s the latest news, including Roman Reigns’ thoughts on WrestleMania 40 matchups, boxer Tommy Fury’s potential WWE aspirations, and NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40
Roman Reigns recently spoke candidly about the main event scene at WrestleMania 40 during an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. The discussion centered on Reigns’ feelings regarding WWE’s back-and-forth decisions about whether he would face The Rock or Cody Rhodes in the showcase event.
Reigns revealed he wasn’t concerned about his opponent as long as he was featured in the main event. “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” he said. “It didn’t matter who it is. They are trying to stop history from happening, trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
The situation unfolded after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially stated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. It appeared The Rock would take that spot; however, negative fan reaction led Rhodes to reverse his stance. This turn resulted in The Rock adopting a heel persona as “The Final Boss” and teaming up with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, only for Rhodes to capture the WWE title from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
When asked about a potential future match against The Rock, Reigns said it depends on fan demand: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” Despite The Rock’s unannounced return at the recent Bad Blood event, his WWE intentions remain unclear. Fans may see him again soon, possibly at Survivor Series during the WarGames match involving The Bloodline faction.
Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE Wrestling Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated British professional boxer and younger brother of heavyweight champ Tyson Fury, hinted at a possible entry into the WWE world. In a YouTube video posted Sunday, Fury showcased his backstage experience at a WWE show during the UK tour and expressed enthusiasm about wrestling.
Fury praised stars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther while thanking WWE for their hospitality. “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?” he said. Fury’s appeal is heightened by his name recognition in boxing and his connection to the Paul family, including Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar.
His brother Tyson Fury previously participated in WWE, notably defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019 and interrupting Austin Theory’s Money in the Bank cash-in attempt at Clash at the Castle 2022. Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Raises Questions
On the NXT front, former North American Champion Oba Femi has been noticeably absent from recent tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, according to Fightful Select.
Femi, who made a strong impact debuting in April 2023 with a tournament win and a lengthy 272-day title reign, suffered two consecutive losses to D’Angelo and has not appeared on NXT since. The reason for this absence is unknown but may indicate a temporary break for recovery, a possible main roster promotion, or a storyline reset.
Should Femi return soon, he is widely considered a top contender to challenge for the NXT Championship, potentially ending the run of current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for ongoing updates in the WWE universe as more information emerges. For additional wrestling analysis and discussion, also catch the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio.
[Image Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock look back at the ring after their WrestleMania 40 victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on April 6, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)]