Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, and NXT’s Oba Femi Rumors
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Wrestling fans have plenty to chew on as the WWE Universe processes major developments involving some of the biggest names in the industry. Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experiences and potential future matches with The Rock while boxing star Tommy Fury has hinted at a possible WWE career. Meanwhile, NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence is stirring speculation about his future trajectory.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 and The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes
In a candid interview on the SI Media podcast, Roman Reigns gave insight into his mindset ahead of WrestleMania 40, addressing the high-profile shuffle between potential opponents The Rock and Cody Rhodes.
Reigns revealed he was unfazed by the uncertainty and back-and-forth, stating his focus was solely on main eventing and defending his championship without caring who stood across from him:
"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."
Following Rhodes’ victory in the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, there were initial reports he wouldn’t challenge Reigns at WrestleMania, leading to speculation that The Rock would take his place. However, after negative fan reactions, Rhodes reversed his stance. The Rock turned heel and allied with Reigns as “The Final Boss,” teaming to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40. The next night, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns to claim the WWE Championship.
When asked about the possibility of a future Reigns vs. Rock showdown — a match eagerly anticipated by fans — Reigns left the door open, emphasizing the power of fan demand:
"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."
"If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen."
The Rock’s recent unannounced return at WWE Bad Blood last month has only fueled rumors about his WWE intentions, sparking speculation that upcoming events such as Survivor Series’ WarGames match may be a platform for a Rock-Reigns build-up.
Tommy Fury Teases Wrestling Future with WWE
In a surprising crossover, 25-year-old professional boxer Tommy Fury has hinted he might venture into pro wrestling with WWE. Posting a YouTube vlog from backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Fury praised WWE Superstars and expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of stepping into the squared circle:
“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.”
Tommy Fury is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, former world heavyweight boxing champion, who himself had a brief but memorable interaction with WWE, including a match at Crown Jewel 2019 and an infamous knockout of Austin Theory at Clash at the Castle 2022. With Tommy undefeated in professional boxing and having already defeated Jake Paul, his association with the Paul family could create compelling storytelling possibilities in WWE — especially potentially setting up a sibling rivalry against Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. A tag match featuring the Fury brothers against the Paul brothers would appeal to mainstream audiences and be a win-win for WWE’s crossover appeal.
Oba Femi’s Absence Raises Questions in NXT
On the developmental front, reports indicate NXT former North American Champion Oba Femi has been absent from tapings and WWE programming since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. According to Fightful Select, there have been no indications that Femi has been backstage or filming in the past month. While the reasons remain unclear—ranging from a potential injury to a strategic TV absence to let the impact of his losses settle—fans remain attentive to his next moves.
Oba Femi burst onto the scene in April 2023 with a dominant run, highlighted by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee, holding it for a record-setting 272 days. His recent setbacks notwithstanding, many view him as a strong candidate to challenge for the NXT Championship, potentially positioning him as the ideal contender to dethrone current champ Trick Williams upon his return.
For wrestling fans eager to dive deeper into these stories and more, Ring Rust Radio provides a sharp, insider perspective on the hottest topics in the wrestling world.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all the latest WWE and pro wrestling updates.