Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career; NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report delivers the latest updates from the WWE Universe, with insights from Roman Reigns about WrestleMania 40 opponents, a prominent boxer considering a wrestling future, and rumors surrounding an NXT standout’s absence.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
During a recent appearance on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE superstar Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on facing Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 40 and the possibility of a future match with his cousin, The Rock.
Reigns revealed that he was unfazed by the back-and-forth regarding his WrestleMania 40 opponent. Whether it was The Rock or Rhodes, Reigns emphasized the importance of being in the main event spotlight:
"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’s where, we just need to get there and defend this thing. 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."
After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40, opening the door for The Rock to step in. A strong negative reaction from fans prompted Rhodes to change course, which led The Rock to turn heel, rebranding as "The Final Boss" and aligning with Reigns. At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the long-anticipated Reigns vs. The Rock match that didn’t materialize at WrestleMania 40, Reigns said it could happen if the fans demand it loudly enough:
"I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something, we’re a company who—we’re not being dictated to. We have a vision for where we’re trying to go, but we know who the consumers are. We know who’s paying their hard-earned money, and we want to satisfy those people."
He added, "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 an unannounced return during the WWE event Bad Blood last month but has yet to clarify his next steps in WWE programming. With the ongoing Battle within The Bloodline at Survivor Series, fans speculate that The Rock might soon reappear, potentially setting the stage for a future showdown with Roman Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of Tyson Fury, has hinted at a possible future in WWE. In a YouTube video posted while backstage at a WWE event during their UK tour, Fury expressed his admiration for WWE talent and entertained the idea of climbing into the wrestling ring one day:
"So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete. All the wrestlers showing love. Big up to Randy Orton. Absolutely amazing guy. Big up to Cody Rhodes, all of them, Gunther, the lot of them. 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."
Fury is 25 and boasts a perfect professional boxing record of 10-0, including a victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul. His brother Tyson Fury previously worked with WWE on a limited basis, notably winning a match against Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 by count-out and disrupting an Austin Theory Money in the Bank cash-in at Clash at the Castle in 2022. Given Tommy Fury’s ties with the Paul family—Logan Paul currently competes as a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—a potential feud or tag team match featuring the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers could attract widespread interest, making his inclusion in WWE a possibility under consideration.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings for the past month, according to Fightful Select. The news comes after Femi’s loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, where he dropped the North American Championship after an impressive 272-day reign—one of the longest in the title’s history.
Femi debuted on televised NXT programming in April 2023 and quickly made a name for himself by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship by cashing in on Dragon Lee. His absence from recent tapings and TV appearances has fueled speculation about the reasons behind the hiatus.
While no official statement has been made, possibilities include:
- A strategic reset following two consecutive losses
- Preparation for a main roster call-up
- Recovering from an injury
- Creative direction decisions by NXT management
Given Femi’s strong potential, many expect his return to involve a championship chase, potentially positioning him as a future contender for the NXT Championship.
Stay tuned for more WWE updates and insider news as the wrestling world continues to evolve.