Roman Reigns Talks The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, including insights from Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40, potential wrestling aspirations from boxer Tommy Fury, and rumors swirling around NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and The Rock Match Possibility
In a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experiences, particularly the main event scenario involving Cody Rhodes and the legendary Rock.
Reigns shared his perspective on the back-and-forth decision by WWE management regarding who would face him at WrestleMania 40 — The Rock or Cody Rhodes. When asked if he was disappointed to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, Reigns stated that it did not matter to him as long as he was in the main event spotlight.
"I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with," Reigns said. "It didn’t matter who it was. They are trying to stop history from happening, trying to take us off the pinnacle right now, so it was the same task in hand for me.”
Following Rhodes’s win in the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declined to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 40, leading to rumors that The Rock would step into the spotlight. However, after a negative fan reaction to the switch, Rhodes reversed his decision, prompting The Rock to turn heel and adopt the persona “The Final Boss,” aligning himself with Reigns.
At WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1, while Rhodes captured the WWE Championship from Reigns in the Night 2 main event.
Looking ahead, Traina asked Reigns about a potential singles match against The Rock. Reigns acknowledged that such a showdown could be possible if the fans show enough enthusiasm and demand.
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen," Reigns remarked.
The Rock made a surprise return to WWE programming last month at Bad Blood but has not yet revealed intentions or made additional appearances. With the ongoing storyline involving new and original versions of The Bloodline battling at Survivor Series, many speculate The Rock could reappear soon, possibly setting the stage for a future match with his cousin, Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, teased a potential future in professional wrestling during WWE’s recent UK tour.
In a YouTube video shared Sunday, Fury was seen backstage interacting with WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther. He expressed appreciation for the WWE environment and hinted at the possibility of stepping into the wrestling ring one day.
"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," Fury said.
His brother Tyson made his WWE debut at Crown Jewel 2019, winning a match against Braun Strowman, and has made appearances supporting WWE events, including notably knocking out Austin Theory at Clash at the Castle 2022. Tommy Fury, boasting a 10-0 boxing record and notably holding a victory over Jake Paul, shares a connection to the Paul family, making a crossover feud with Logan Paul—currently a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion—an intriguing potential storyline. Promoters might consider a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” tag team rivalry, appealing to a broader mainstream fanbase.
Oba Femi Reported Absent from NXT Following Consecutive Losses
Oba Femi, a standout talent in WWE’s NXT brand and former North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT television and tapings for the past month.
According to sources from Fightful Select (via Ringside News), Femi has not been seen at recent NXT events since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reason for his absence remains unclear. It could be a strategic hiatus following two significant defeats, allowing Femi time to reset.
Femi debuted on televised NXT in April 2023, quickly establishing himself with a dominant run that included winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His 272-day reign ended in a surprising loss to D’Angelo, followed by a rematch defeat at Halloween Havoc.
While speculation abounds—ranging from injury to a main roster call-up—the absence might simply be WWE’s choice to wait until the impact of his losses diminishes before bringing him back on screen.
When he does return, Femi is considered a strong candidate to challenge for the NXT Championship, potentially positioning him as a key figure to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
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Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images
(Photo shows The Rock and Roman Reigns reflecting after their win against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, Philadelphia, April 6, 2024.)
Author: Mike Chiari
Date: November 27, 2024
Source: Bleacher Report