Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Spot; NXT Rumors Surround Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Wrestling fans have plenty to follow as Bleacher Report rounds up some of the latest developments and insider news from the WWE Universe. From Roman Reigns’ candid reflections on WrestleMania 40 and his relationship with The Rock and Cody Rhodes, to boxing star Tommy Fury hinting at a possible crossover to WWE, and intriguing rumors regarding NXT standout Oba Femi, the pro wrestling world is buzzing with activity.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns recently sat down for an in-depth interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, where he shared his perspective on the high-profile storylines culminating at WrestleMania 40, particularly concerning his matches against Cody Rhodes and his cousin, The Rock.
Reigns revealed that he was unbothered by WWE’s backstage uncertainty about whether he would face The Rock or Rhodes at the marquee event. “It doesn’t matter to me,” he said. “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 WrestleMania 40 main event saga saw Rhodes winning the 2024 Royal Rumble but initially refusing to challenge Reigns. This led to the anticipation that The Rock would step in for the championship match. After some fan backlash and storyline reversals, The Rock turned heel as "The Final Boss," aligned with Reigns, and teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1. Rhodes then captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the chances of a future match against The Rock, Reigns conveyed optimism, emphasizing that fan interest plays a crucial role: “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.” With The Rock’s recent surprise return at the Bad Blood event last month and upcoming high-stakes matches like the Bloodline WarGames at Survivor Series, the possibility of one day finally witnessing a Reigns vs. Rock showdown is very much alive.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations
Tommy Fury, professional boxer and younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, has teased a potential future in pro wrestling, specifically with WWE. In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE show during their UK tour, Fury expressed gratitude toward WWE superstars like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, while hinting at his own aspirations.
“So guys, that is a night at the WWE complete…And I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night,” said Fury, who is undefeated in his boxing career and distinguished himself as the only boxer to defeat Jake Paul.
His family’s history with WWE lends additional weight to his hints; Tyson Fury had a memorable one-off match at Crown Jewel 2019 and made headlines for knocking out Austin Theory in the crowd at Clash at the Castle 2022, preventing a Money in the Bank contract cash-in.
Given Tommy’s strong boxing pedigree and connections to the Paul brothers—Logan Paul is an active WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—he could fit into storylines that attract a mainstream, crossover audience. Speculation is ripe about the potential for "Paul brothers vs. Fury brothers" tag matches, which would certainly grab attention.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Sparks Rumors
Oba Femi, a rising star and former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from recent NXT tapings, according to insider reports from Fightful Select. Following his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, Femi has not been seen backstage or competing on NXT broadcasts.
Femi’s sudden disappearance has prompted speculation. The reasons remain undisclosed, but possibilities include WWE wanting to give the former University of Alabama shot put star time to reset after two major defeats, or perhaps preparing for a call-up to WWE’s main roster. Injuries or strategic storyline planning could also explain his absence.
By dominating the NXT Breakout Tournament last year and holding the North American title for a record 272 days, Femi rapidly established himself as a top contender within NXT. His upcoming return could see him targeting the NXT Championship, possibly positioning him as a formidable challenger to current champion Trick Williams.
Stay Updated
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Photo caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock pose after defeating Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 Night 1 in Philadelphia, April 6, 2024. (Photo: WWE/Getty Images)
Source: Bleacher Report