Wrestling Update: Roman Reigns Comments on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut, and NXT’s Oba Femi Remains Absent
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on his WrestleMania 40 matches, potential new talent Tommy Fury hinting at a WWE future, and rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes Storyline
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE superstar Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 main event experience and the evolving story with The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
Reigns addressed the question of whether he was disappointed that he ended up facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 instead of The Rock. Reigns downplayed the difference, emphasizing his focus on being the main event attraction regardless of his opponent.
“It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with… 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,” Reigns said.
The storyline had initially set Rhodes, the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble winner, to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40. However, a surprising shift appeared to put The Rock in that spot instead, sparking mixed fan reactions. Shortly after, Rhodes reversed his stance and The Rock turned heel as “The Final Boss,” teaming with Reigns to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania. On Night 2, Rhodes captured the WWE title from Reigns.
Looking ahead, Traina questioned if a long-rumored showdown between Reigns and The Rock could still materialize. Reigns left the door open, emphasizing the power of the fanbase in shaping WWE’s plans:
“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 surprisingly unannounced return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has remained largely absent since, fueling speculation about his future role. With the upcoming Survivor Series event featuring a WarGames match between new and original versions of The Bloodline, many are watching to see if The Rock will reappear and reignite his story with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Possible WWE Career
British professional boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a potential professional wrestling career with WWE. In a recent YouTube video recorded backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Fury mingled with WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, expressing gratitude and excitement.
“I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night,” Fury said.
At 25, Tommy Fury is the younger brother of former heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who previously had a brief WWE stint, defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019. Tommy Fury boasts an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and notably handed Jake Paul his only professional loss. Given WWE’s existing connection with the Paul family—Logan Paul is currently a WWE Superstar and former United States champion—a Fury vs. Paul storyline could generate mainstream buzz. WWE officials are likely considering the possibilities of integrating Tommy Fury into future programming.
Oba Femi’s Status in NXT Remains Unclear After Absence
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has been noticeably absent from recent NXT tapings, a source of speculation within the WWE community. Reports from Fightful Select indicate that Femi has not been backstage since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
Reasons for his absence are unconfirmed. It could be a strategic break following consecutive losses or potentially a prelude to a main roster call-up. Femi had a meteoric rise after debuting in NXT in April 2023, capturing the North American title and holding it for a record 272 days before losing it to D’Angelo.
Fans are hopeful for Femi’s return, with many seeing him as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, possibly set to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for continued updates on WWE storylines, emerging talent, and exclusive interviews from the wrestling world.
Related:
- WWE NXT Results, Winners, and Highlights (June 9)
- Money in the Bank 2024: Latest Buzz and Analysis
- Grading WWE Raw in Paris
For more in-depth wrestling content, listen to episodes of Ring Rust Radio and follow Bleacher Report WWE coverage.