Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; NXT’s Oba Femi Absent
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s interest in WWE, and intriguing rumors about NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Future Match with The Rock
Roman Reigns recently spoke candidly in an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina about the highly anticipated but ultimately unrealized matchups at WrestleMania 40. The Original Tribal Chief was asked about the shift from a potential showdown with The Rock to instead facing Cody Rhodes in the event’s main event.
Reigns expressed no disappointment about missing The Rock, emphasizing that being in the WWE main event was what mattered most to him. “It didn’t matter to me,” Reigns stated. “I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… They’re trying to stop history from happening… it was the same task in hand for me.”
The storyline initially seemed to position The Rock versus Reigns at WrestleMania 40 after Cody Rhodes’ unexpected decision not to challenge for the WWE title despite winning the Royal Rumble. However, negative fan reactions led to a reversal, with Rhodes reentering the title picture and The Rock turning heel to ally with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to win Night 1’s main event, but on Night 2, Rhodes defeated Reigns to claim the WWE Championship.
Looking ahead, Reigns did not rule out a future encounter with The Rock, indicating that if the fans demand it, WWE could deliver. "If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns hinted.
The Rock made a surprise return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood, though he has yet to clarify his intentions or appear again. With a major WarGames match involving various iterations of The Bloodline scheduled for Survivor Series, many speculate this could be an ideal moment for The Rock’s return, potentially setting the stage for a future clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Career
British professional boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a possible transition into professional wrestling, specifically with WWE. Posting a video from backstage during WWE’s recent UK tour, Fury expressed enthusiasm after meeting WWE stars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury said, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
The 25-year-old Fury has carved out a strong boxing reputation with an undefeated 10-0 record and is notably the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul. His connection to the Paul family, with Logan Paul being a current WWE Superstar, adds an intriguing angle for potential matchups or storylines within WWE.
Tommy’s older brother Tyson previously appeared in WWE, competing in a single match at Crown Jewel 2019 and making a memorable appearance at Clash at the Castle 2022, where he dramatically interfered in a Money in the Bank cash-in attempt.
Given Tommy Fury’s athletic background, celebrity ties, and growing popularity, WWE is likely to keep the door open for him should he pursue wrestling.
Oba Femi Out of NXT Sight After Two Key Losses
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT programming and tapings since late October. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
Femi had an impactful run after debuting on NXT TV in April 2023, capturing the NXT Breakout Tournament and then cashing in on Dragon Lee to seize the North American Championship. His reign lasted a record 272 days until a surprising upset at the hands of D’Angelo in late 2024, followed by a rematch loss.
Reasons for Femi’s recent absence are unclear. It may be a strategic move to allow him to regroup after back-to-back defeats, or a potential preparation period for a main roster call-up or injury recovery. Upon return, industry insiders consider Femi a strong candidate to challenge for the NXT Championship, possibly succeeding Trick Williams as champion.
Stay Tuned to Bleacher Report for More WWE News
This roundup is just part of ongoing coverage that includes updates on key Superstars like Gable Steveson, Ilja Dragunov, and creative predictions for upcoming WWE events like SummerSlam. Our detailed breakdowns and analysis continue to keep fans informed on the complex world of professional wrestling.
For fans eager to dive deeper, listen to Ring Rust Radio and catch the latest hot wrestling topics and insider news.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns share a moment in the ring after their victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, April 6, 2024, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)
Related Topics:
- WWE WrestleMania 40 Results
- Tommy Fury’s Boxing & Possible WWE Future
- NXT Championship Scene
- The Rock’s Return to WWE
- WWE Survivor Series WarGames Match
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