Roman Reigns Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE universe, spotlighting Roman Reigns’ recent comments on WrestleMania 40, boxing sensation Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling aspirations, and the rumored absence of NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns recently appeared on the SI Media podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina, where he shared his perspective on the lead-up to WrestleMania 40’s main event, where he faced Cody Rhodes instead of the originally anticipated bout against The Rock.
Reigns emphasized that he was focused on being in the main event, regardless of the opponent. “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,” Reigns explained (via Ringside News).
After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, seeming to cede the spot to The Rock instead. However, following some negative fan reactions, Rhodes reversed course. This turn of events led The Rock to adopt a heel persona as "The Final Boss" and team with Reigns.
Ultimately, The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes went on to capture the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Traina asked Reigns whether a future match against The Rock remains a possibility. Reigns was optimistic, noting the influence of fan demand:
"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 WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has remained largely off programming since then. With the ongoing storyline featuring different versions of The Bloodline set for a WarGames match at Survivor Series, speculation is rife that The Rock could reappear soon, potentially setting the stage for a showdown with his cousin Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Potential WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, hinted at a future in professional wrestling this week.
In a recent YouTube video, Fury shared footage from a WWE live event in the UK, expressing enthusiasm about the experience and the wrestlers he met, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. Fury commented:
“I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tyson Fury has had limited WWE involvement, most notably defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019 and causing a shocking knockout to Austin Theory at Clash at the Castle 2022, preventing a Money in the Bank cash-in.
Tommy Fury’s impressive boxing record (10-0) and his connection with the Paul family—known for their crossover between boxing and wrestling—position him as a strong candidate for WWE. A potential feud or tag team involving the Fury brothers and the Paul brothers could attract mainstream attention and broaden WWE’s appeal.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been missing from WWE’s NXT tapings for over a month.
Reports from Fightful Select note that Femi has not been seen since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he lost the North American Championship after a record-setting 272-day reign. Femi also lost the subsequent rematch.
While the reasons for his absence remain unclear, possibilities include taking time off to recover from injury, a planned break to reset his character, or preparation for a main roster call-up. He debuted on NXT television in April 2023, quickly rising through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and seizing the North American title.
If and when Femi returns, many speculate he could be a top contender for the NXT Championship, potentially rivaling current champion Trick Williams.
For more wrestling insights, check out the latest episodes of Ring Rust Radio and stay tuned for additional WWE news and analysis.
Top WWE Headlines:
- WWE Raw Live Ratings and Analysis
- Money in the Bank Event Date Change
- SummerSlam Predictions and Storyline Forecasts
Photo Caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, PA – April 6, 2024 (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)
Stay connected for more updates on all things WWE and professional wrestling.