Roman Reigns on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury’s WWE Interest, and NXT Rumors Surrounding Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings fans the latest updates and insights from the WWE Universe, including Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40, boxer Tommy Fury’s hints at a WWE future, and speculation about NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and The Rock Match Possibility
In an engaging interview on the SI Media podcast hosted by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE superstar Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on competing against both Cody Rhodes and The Rock at WrestleMania 40, as well as the potential for a future showdown with his cousin, the legendary Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
Reigns explained that whether he faced Rhodes or The Rock in the WrestleMania main event didn’t matter to him; the priority was maintaining his spot at the top of the card as the main event star and “Original Tribal Chief.” He said, “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. They are trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
The path to WrestleMania 40’s main event saw some twists. After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially stated he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, pointing instead to The Rock as the likely contender. Following fan backlash, Rhodes reversed course, leading to The Rock turning heel—now known as “The Final Boss”—and aligning himself with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes then capturing the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. When asked if a long-anticipated match between The Rock and Reigns was still on the horizon, Reigns didn’t dismiss the possibility. He emphasized the power of the fans’ voices: “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 to WWE programming recently at the Bad Blood event but has yet to specify his intentions, though many expect his next move could come soon, potentially at Survivor Series during the high-stakes WarGames match involving members of The Bloodline.
Boxer Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE
Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, surprised many wrestling fans by hinting at a potential pro wrestling future with WWE. Posting a video from backstage during WWE’s recent UK tour, Tommy praised WWE talents like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, and showed enthusiasm about the possibility of stepping into the squared circle himself.
He stated, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” Tommy’s boxing credentials are impressive, boasting an undefeated 10-0 professional record and a notable win over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. Given that Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, is currently a WWE Superstar and former U.S. Champion, a Fury vs. Paul rivalry or even a tag-team feud featuring the Fury and Paul brothers could naturally attract mainstream attention and intrigue WWE’s crossover fanbase.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, the former NXT North American Champion, has been noticeably absent from NXT television and tapings for over a month. Fightful Select reports confirm that Femi has not been seen backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, marking a quiet period after a significant climb in NXT.
Femi’s NXT journey saw him win the Breakout Tournament and capture the North American title with a record-setting 272-day reign before dropping it to D’Angelo. He also lost the immediate rematch. His absence has sparked rumors—could he be recovering from injury, preparing for a main roster call-up, or simply getting a creative reset following consecutive losses? Wrestling insiders speculate that when Femi returns, he will be poised to pursue the NXT Championship, continuing his rise as a key player in the brand’s future.
What’s Next in WWE?
With WrestleMania 40 fresh in memory and ongoing developments with The Bloodline storyline, fans eagerly await what’s next for Roman Reigns and The Rock’s potential clash. Tommy Fury’s budding interest in WWE could provide a unique new challenger, especially given his boxing background and connections to existing WWE talent. Meanwhile, NXT watchers keep a close eye on Oba Femi, anticipating his return and next big run inside the WWE performance center.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for continued coverage of all things WWE and beyond.