Roman Reigns Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career, and NXT Updates on Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari | Bleacher Report | November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe is buzzing with recent developments involving some of its biggest stars and rising talents. Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 experience, potential future matches with The Rock, and his main event mindset. Meanwhile, British boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a possible future in WWE, and NXT has seen a notable absence from former North American Champion Oba Femi. Here’s the latest in WWE news.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes
In a candid discussion on the Sports Illustrated Media podcast, Roman Reigns gave insight into the high-profile main event scenarios that unfolded at WrestleMania 40. Reigns spoke with host Jimmy Traina about the initial uncertainty regarding whether he would face Cody Rhodes or The Rock in the main event.
When asked if he was disappointed not to have faced The Rock, Reigns was clear that the opponent didn’t matter to him as long as he held WWE’s championship spotlight. He said, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with, you know. I am the hot chick, everyone wanted to take me out… 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.”
The WrestleMania 40 storyline saw Rhodes win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially not challenging Reigns for the WWE Championship. Fans reacted negatively to the idea of The Rock stepping into that spot, causing a reversal where Rhodes did challenge Reigns. This led to The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss,” aligning himself with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, but Rhodes captured the WWE title from Reigns in the main event of Night 2. Looking ahead, Traina asked Reigns if a match against The Rock could still happen in the future. Reigns said the decision ultimately hinges on 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’s surprise return at last month’s Bad Blood event, although brief and without clear direction, has fueled speculation about a future showdown between family members and Bloodline faction members.
Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE After UK Tour Experience
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently hinted at a possible WWE career. Posting a YouTube video from backstage at a WWE UK show, Fury expressed admiration for WWE and its stars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury remarked, “Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
His connection to the Paul family—Jake and Logan Paul—both famous for their crossover from boxing and social media to WWE storylines, makes Tommy Fury a plausible future fit within WWE’s entertainment landscape. Logan Paul, a former United States Champion, could become a natural rival or ally in the wrestling ring.
Tommy’s brother Tyson made a one-off WWE appearance at Crown Jewel 2019 and became involved in storylines at WWE events like Clash at the Castle 2022, which adds to the potential appeal of keeping Fury in mind for future wrestling opportunities.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, a standout performer on WWE’s NXT brand, has reportedly been absent from tapings and television since his loss at the October 27 Halloween Havoc event, where he fell to Tony D’Angelo. Fightful Select reported no signs of Femi backstage at recent NXT shows.
Following an impressive start to his WWE career—winning the 2023 NXT Breakout Tournament, capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, and holding the title for a record 272 days—Femi’s recent consecutive losses and subsequent absence have sparked speculation. Possible reasons include a strategic storyline reset, time off to recover from injury, or preparation for a main roster call-up.
Experts suggest that when Femi returns, he could be positioned as a strong contender to challenge for the NXT Championship, potentially dethroning current champion Trick Williams.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest updates and insights into WWE storylines and superstars. And for more wrestling discussions, check out the latest episode of Ring Rust Radio, covering all the hot topics in the wrestling world.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns look back at the ring after their victory against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia on April 6, 2024. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)