Roman Reigns Talks The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Status
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings the latest updates and insights from the WWE Universe, including Roman Reigns’ reflections on WrestleMania 40, boxer Tommy Fury’s expressed interest in WWE, and the recent absence of former North American champion Oba Femi from NXT programming.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents The Rock and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns shared his thoughts about his WrestleMania 40 main event opponents — The Rock and Cody Rhodes — during an interview on the SI Media podcast Tuesday with Jimmy Traina.
Reigns addressed the fluctuating plans WWE had surrounding who would challenge him at WrestleMania 40 after Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble. Initially, Rhodes said he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, suggesting The Rock would take that spot. However, fan pushback led Rhodes to reverse course, while The Rock turned heel, adopting the persona "The Final Boss" to team with Reigns.
When asked if he felt disappointed not to face The Rock at WrestleMania, Reigns emphasized that being in the main event was what mattered most.
"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," Reigns explained. "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."
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed up on Night 1 to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins, while Rhodes defeated Reigns for the WWE title on Night 2. Addressing the possibility of a future dream match against The Rock, Reigns expressed optimism, noting WWE listens to its fanbase:
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen."
Though The Rock made an unannounced appearance at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month, his intentions remain unclear. With the ongoing storyline between the new and original versions of The Bloodline heating up at Survivor Series, fans may see The Rock appear again, potentially setting up a future clash with his cousin Roman Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases Potential WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury gave fans a glimpse behind the scenes of WWE this past weekend by posting a YouTube video capturing his experience backstage during WWE’s United Kingdom tour.
Expressing gratitude for the warm welcome from top WWE stars—including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther—Fury hinted at the possibility of a future in professional wrestling:
"Thank you to the WWE for showing us such appreciation. And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night."
Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury—who previously competed in WWE at Crown Jewel 2019—is undefeated in his professional boxing career with a 10-0 record. Notably, he is the only boxer to have defeated Jake Paul, making a potential WWE run an intriguing prospect.
Given his connections to the Paul family, Fury could become a natural fit with WWE storylines involving Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion, opening doors for crossover appeal and mainstream interest.
Oba Femi Reportedly Absent from NXT After Recent Losses
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly not been seen backstage or on television since late October, raising questions about his status within WWE’s developmental brand.
Fightful Select reports (via Ringside News) that Femi has been absent from NXT tapings following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons remain unclear, though the absence may be a strategic decision after two significant losses—the end of an impressive 272-day title reign and a subsequent rematch defeat.
Since debuting on the brand in April 2023, Femi garnered momentum by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and defeating Dragon Lee for the North American Championship. His loss streak marks a notable change, but WWE may be allowing him time to regroup before returning to the spotlight.
Fans expect Femi to be a strong contender for the NXT Championship upon his comeback, possibly positioning him to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned for More Wrestling News and Analysis
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Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns after their WrestleMania 40 victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at Lincoln Financial Field on April 6, 2024. (WWE/Getty Images)