Roman Reigns Opens Up About The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and WrestleMania 40; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari | November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates and insider news from the WWE Universe, focusing on recent comments from Roman Reigns, potential WWE ambitions from boxer Tommy Fury, and intriguing rumors surrounding NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Plans
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Universal Champion Roman Reigns shared candid thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 experience and discussions about facing The Rock or Cody Rhodes in the main event.
Reigns revealed that he was not concerned about which opponent he faced at WrestleMania 40, emphasizing that being in the main event was what truly mattered. He described himself as “the hot chick” that everyone wanted to challenge, underscoring his mindset of defending his championship regardless of the challenger.
The build-up to WrestleMania 40 saw some uncertainty, as Cody Rhodes initially won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but stated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This led to speculation that The Rock would step in as Reigns’ opponent. However, fan backlash led to a change of plans, with Rhodes ultimately challenging Reigns. The Rock turned heel and aligned himself with Reigns, together defeating Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. Rhodes then captured the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future match against The Rock, Reigns mentioned that if the fans show strong support and express their passion for such a match, WWE would consider making it happen. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he stated.
The Rock made an unexpected return last month at WWE Bad Blood but has not clarified his intentions since. With the upcoming Survivor Series featuring a WarGames match between the new and original Bloodline factions, many speculate that The Rock could reappear, potentially setting the stage for an iconic showdown with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Potential WWE Career
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, teased the possibility of joining WWE after recently spending time backstage during WWE’s UK tour. In a Sunday YouTube video, Fury expressed his appreciation for WWE and its wrestlers, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury said, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, 25, boasts a professional boxing record of 10-0 and notably defeated Jake Paul. Given his connections with the Paul family, WWE fans are intrigued by the prospect of a potential wrestling feud or partnership involving the Fury and Paul brothers. Tyson Fury himself has a history with WWE, having competed once at Crown Jewel 2019 and recently disrupting Austin Theory’s Money in the Bank cash-in attempt in 2022. Oba Femi Quietly Missing from NXT Programming
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has reportedly been absent from NXT shows since losing his title to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, with no backstage appearances recorded over the past month. The reasons for his absence remain unclear.
Femi debuted on NXT television in April 2023 and quickly made a name for himself by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capture of the North American Championship after defeating Dragon Lee. He successfully held the title for a record 272 days before suffering his first televised loss to D’Angelo. After dropping both the championship and a subsequent rematch, Femi has not been seen on NXT programming.
This hiatus could signal a potential main roster call-up, an injury recovery period, or simply a strategic break to refresh his character following significant losses. Upon his return, Femi is viewed as a strong candidate for a run at the NXT Championship, potentially challenging current titleholder Trick Williams.
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[Photo caption: Roman Reigns and The Rock look back at the ring after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40 Night 1, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, April 6, 2024. (Photo by WWE/Getty Images)]