Roman Reigns Shares Thoughts on The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
WWE Universe Update – November 27, 2024
Roman Reigns recently opened up about his experiences facing both The Rock and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40, while boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a possible future in WWE. Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence from the show has stirred curiosity among fans and insiders alike.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents: The Rock and Cody Rhodes
In an interview on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns addressed questions about the lead-up to WrestleMania 40 and the shifting plans regarding his opponent for the event. Originally, many expected Reigns to face The Rock, the WWE legend and Reigns’ cousin, in a highly anticipated battle. However, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially opted not to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, The Rock was positioned for the main event spot.
Following some fans’ negative reactions to this switch, Rhodes reversed his stance and eventually challenged Reigns. Meanwhile, The Rock turned heel, adopting the persona “The Final Boss” and aligning himself with Reigns. Together, Reigns and The Rock defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40. On Night 2, Cody Rhodes captured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, Reigns made it clear that his priority was simply being in the main event rather than the specific opponent. “I am 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. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
Looking ahead, Reigns acknowledged the possibility of a future match against The Rock, provided that the fans show strong enough interest. “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 unannounced return to WWE programming last month but has not clarified his intentions since then. With the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring new and original versions of The Bloodline, there is speculation that The Rock could make an appearance, potentially paving the way for a future showdown with Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE
Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, recently shared footage from backstage at a WWE event in the United Kingdom. Posting on YouTube, Fury expressed excitement about the wrestling environment and hinted at a possible career move. “I look forward to possibly climbing through [the ropes] one day,” he said.
Tommy’s relationship with the WWE world is already notable due to his brother Tyson’s past involvement. Tyson Fury had a one-off WWE match in 2019 and was famously involved in an incident in the WWE crowd at Clash at the Castle in 2022, where he knocked out Austin Theory. Tommy Fury currently boasts a professional boxing record of 10-0 and is the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul, who has WWE ties.
Given Tommy Fury’s rising profile and connection to the Paul family—a prominent fixture in WWE—there is considerable fan interest in potential matchups, possibly including tag-team scenarios involving the Fury and Paul brothers.
NXT Star Oba Femi Missing from Recent Tapings
On a different note, reports have emerged about Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, being absent from backstage and television tapings for over a month. After a strong debut in April 2023 and a dominant run that included winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and securing the North American Championship, Femi’s momentum has slowed.
His title reign ended in late October when Tony D’Angelo defeated him at Halloween Havoc, finishing a record-setting 272-day tenure. Femi also lost the follow-up rematch shortly thereafter and has not been seen on NXT television since.
The reasons for his absence remain unclear. Possibilities include recuperation from injury, creative decisions to let recent losses settle, or preparations for a main roster call-up. Wrestling insiders note that when Femi returns, he is likely to be positioned as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, given his physical presence and in-ring skills.
This roundup spotlights some of the latest conversations and developments that WWE fans and observers are tracking closely. Reigns’ openness about his WrestleMania 40 experience, Fury’s exploration of pro wrestling, and Femi’s mysterious hiatus all point to an evolving landscape in WWE’s talent scene. Fans can expect further updates as these stories continue to unfold.