Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Expresses Interest in WWE; NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence Raises Questions
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest insider news and updates from the WWE Universe, including candid comments from Roman Reigns, emerging storylines surrounding Tommy Fury and Oba Femi, and hints at future WWE developments.
Roman Reigns Opens Up on WrestleMania 40 and Potential Match with The Rock
In a revealing interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina, WWE’s reigning “Tribal Chief” Roman Reigns shared his thoughts regarding the main event scenarios at WrestleMania 40, particularly focusing on his bouts with Cody Rhodes and the legendary Rock.
Reigns addressed speculation about whether he was disappointed to face Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40, stating that the identity of his opponent didn’t matter to him as much as the fact that he was headlining the show. “I was the guy that everyone wanted to dance with,” Reigns said. “They are trying to stop history from happening, to take us off the pinnacle right now. It didn’t matter who it was. It was the same task.”
Originally, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he declared he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, which fueled rumors of a match featuring Reigns versus The Rock. However, following negative fan reaction, Rhodes reversed course, leading to a storyline in which The Rock turned heel, adopting the persona “The Final Boss” and aligned himself with Reigns. On Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, setting the stage for Rhodes’ eventual WWE title win over Reigns on Night 2. When asked about the possibility of a future showdown with The Rock—something fans have long awaited—Reigns acknowledged it as a real possibility if the fans express enough desire for it. “If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen,” he commented, highlighting WWE’s responsiveness to fan enthusiasm.
Notably, The Rock made an unanticipated WWE appearance last month at Bad Blood but has since remained absent from programming, leaving fans wondering if another face-off with Reigns could be on the horizon, potentially igniting at the upcoming WarGames match at Survivor Series.
Tommy Fury Hints at Exploring WWE Career
Outside the squared circle, British boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a potential crossover into professional wrestling. On his YouTube channel, Fury shared a video from backstage at a recent WWE UK tour stop, where he interacted with prominent wrestlers including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Expressing gratitude towards WWE and its talent, Fury stated, “I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, 25, is the younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, who himself has dabbled in WWE, notably defeating Braun Strowman by count-out at Crown Jewel 2019 in Saudi Arabia. Tommy’s unbeaten boxing record (10-0) and his notable victory over YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul add to his mainstream appeal.
Given Tommy’s connections with the Paul family and Logan Paul’s ongoing WWE involvement, a potential rivalry or tag team spectacle involving the Fury and Paul brothers represents an intriguing storyline that WWE could explore to attract wider audiences.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
In NXT-related news, former North American Champion Oba Femi has not been seen at tapings or on NXT television since October 27’s Halloween Havoc event, where he lost to Tony D’Angelo. As reported by Fightful Select, there has been no official explanation for Femi’s prolonged absence.
Femi, a former University of Alabama shot put athlete, made a strong impact in NXT since debuting in April 2023. His accomplishments include winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and a successful title reign as North American Champion lasting 272 days. His recent losses and subsequent disappearance have led to widespread speculation about possible reasons ranging from an injury to a strategic hiatus to allow his character to reset.
Fans and insiders alike are watching closely to see if Femi will be called up to WWE’s main roster soon or return to pursue the NXT Championship, potentially setting up new rivalries, especially with current champion Trick Williams.
Additional Updates
- The wrestling world continues to buzz over topics like WWE and AEW rising stars under 30 taking over the industry.
- Speculation surrounds other talents such as Liv Morgan and MJF, adding depth to ongoing storylines.
- The Rock recently shared details of a “really painful” health scare, reminding fans of his resilience inside and outside the ring.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all the latest WWE news, rumors, and in-depth analysis.