Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyeing WWE Future; NXT Update on Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
The latest buzz from the WWE Universe features Roman Reigns’ reflections on his WrestleMania 40 main event, intriguing hints from boxer Tommy Fury about possibly stepping into the pro wrestling world, and the curious absence of NXT star Oba Femi from recent programming.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
On the SI Media podcast this past Tuesday, WWE’s “Original Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns shared candid thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 main event against Cody Rhodes, as well as the much-discussed possibility of a future showdown with his cousin, The Rock.
Reigns revealed how he remained unfazed by the backstage speculation and changes regarding his opponent for WrestleMania 40. When asked if he was disappointed to face Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns emphatically said it didn’t matter to him so long as he was in the 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.”
Initially, it appeared The Rock might challenge Reigns at WrestleMania 40 after Rhodes won the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble but stated he would not pursue the WWE Championship at the event. That changed after mixed fan reactions, with Rhodes ultimately challenging Reigns and The Rock turning heel by adopting the persona of “The Final Boss” and aligning with Roman Reigns.
The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, with Rhodes capturing the WWE Championship by beating Reigns on Night 2. Although the highly anticipated match between Reigns and The Rock did not take place at WrestleMania, Reigns acknowledged the possibility remains if fans express strong interest:
“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 with a nod to The Rock, affectionately known as “The People’s Champ”:
“If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
Since making an unannounced appearance at WWE’s recent Bad Blood event, The Rock has remained somewhat enigmatic about his WWE plans. The upcoming WarGames match during Survivor Series, involving members of The Bloodline faction, is being eyed as an opportune moment for The Rock’s potential return — possibly setting the stage for a clash with Reigns.
Tommy Fury: Hinting at WWE Future
Tommy Fury, the professional boxer and younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently made headlines with his apparent interest in venturing into WWE.
During a recent WWE UK tour, Fury posted a YouTube video showcasing his backstage interactions with WWE superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. In the footage, he expressed gratitude and teased a possible wrestling career:
“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.”
At 25, Tommy Fury is undefeated in professional boxing with a 10-0 record and is famous for handing Jake Paul his first loss. Given his connections to the Paul family and WWE star Logan Paul, Tommy Fury entering WWE could pave the way for high-profile storylines, including potential brother vs. brother rivalries or dream tag matches involving the Pauls and Furys.
Notably, Tyson Fury himself had a brief WWE stint, wrestling once at Crown Jewel 2019 and making memorable appearances at WWE events like 2022’s Clash at the Castle.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious Absence from NXT
Meanwhile, NXT’s former North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from the brand’s tapings for over a month. Fightful Select sources, via Ringside News, report that Femi has not been seen backstage since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons behind this hiatus have not been officially confirmed. It could be related to giving the star time to regroup after two consecutive defeats — notably his long title reign that started with winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and ended after a 272-day run.
Since debuting on television in April 2023, Femi, a former University of Alabama shot putter, has quickly become a prominent figure in NXT. Whether this absence signals an injury, a potential main roster call-up, or a storyline reset remains to be seen.
Speculation suggests that upon his return, Femi could become a prime contender for the NXT Championship, potentially dethroning the current titleholder, Trick Williams.
Stay Tuned
Wrestling fans continue to watch eagerly for updates on The Rock’s WWE status, Tommy Fury’s wrestling aspirations, and Oba Femi’s next moves in NXT. This evolving landscape promises to deliver compelling storylines as WWE navigates its roster and fan expectations heading into 2025. For detailed discussions and additional wrestling insights, listeners can tune in to Ring Rust Radio and stay current with Bleacher Report’s ongoing coverage.
Photo caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns look back at the ring after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, held April 6, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)