Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, and NXT Rumors on Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from WWE, including insights from Roman Reigns on his WrestleMania 40 main event, Tommy Fury’s potential WWE future, and the current status of NXT’s Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experience and his feelings toward facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the main event.
Reigns explained that it “didn’t matter” who he faced as long as he was in the spotlight, referring to himself as "the hot chick" everyone wanted to challenge. He emphasized that regardless of the opponent, his goal was to defend his status at the pinnacle of WWE:
"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."
The buildup to WrestleMania saw some confusion when Rhodes, after winning the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble, initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This shift briefly suggested The Rock would challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40. However, following backlash from fans, Rhodes reversed his decision, leading to The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. On Night 1, Reigns and The Rock teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins, but on Night 2, Rhodes claimed the WWE title from Reigns.
Addressing whether a much-anticipated match between Reigns and The Rock could still happen, Roman stated it is possible if the WWE fanbase vocally demands it:
"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 unannounced return at last month’s Bad Blood event hinted at future involvement, though his next move remains unclear. With upcoming storylines such as the WarGames match at Survivor Series featuring Bloodline factions, the timing might be right for The Rock to re-engage with WWE programming and potentially build toward a future clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Ambitions
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently posted a video backstage at a WWE event during the company’s UK tour. In the footage, he expressed appreciation for WWE Superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, and teased the possibility of stepping into the wrestling ring himself one day:
"Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows?"
Tommy Fury’s potential WWE interest aligns with his family’s history; Tyson Fury made a WWE cameo in 2019 and has been involved in high-profile wrestling moments through events like WWE Clash at the Castle in 2022. Given Tommy’s boxing success, including his undefeated 10-0 record and victory over Jake Paul, his crossover appeal could add significant mainstream interest. Speculation points to a possible rivalry or tag team involving the Fury and Paul brothers, with Logan Paul actively wrestling in WWE.
NXT Star Oba Femi’s Absence and Future Prospects
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from recent NXT tapings since his defeat at Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he lost a rematch to Tony D’Angelo (per Fightful Select).
The reason for Femi’s absence is currently unclear. It may be a strategic break following two consecutive defeats, possibly to build anticipation for a future push. Since his debut on NXT in April 2023, Femi has enjoyed a dominant run—winning the NXT Breakout Tournament, capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee, and holding the title a record 272 days before losing it to D’Angelo.
Speculation suggests that Femi could either be preparing for a call-up to WWE’s main roster, recovering from injury, or simply held off television to reset his character.
Upon return, Femi is viewed as a strong contender for the NXT Championship and could play a key role in shaping the future of the brand.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for comprehensive coverage of WWE developments and more insider updates from the wrestling world.