Roman Reigns Reflects on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Future WWE Prospects; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
By Mike Chiari | Bleacher Report | November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe with insights from Roman Reigns, developments surrounding boxer Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling career, and speculation about NXT star Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40, Facing Cody Rhodes, and The Rock Match Possibility
Roman Reigns recently sat down for an interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, where he opened up about several key topics including his high-profile WrestleMania 40 matches and the potential for a future showdown with his cousin, The Rock.
When asked about his feelings toward facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the main event of WrestleMania 40, Reigns—known as “The Tribal Chief”—was clear that it didn’t matter who was his opponent, so long as he was in the marquee spot.
“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.”
The lead-up to WrestleMania 40 saw twists and turns, with Rhodes winning the men’s 2024 Royal Rumble but initially refusing to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at the event, which then had fans anticipating The Rock’s involvement. However, following fan backlash, Rhodes reversed his stance, The Rock turned heel by adopting the “Final Boss” persona, and aligned with Reigns. The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on the first night, while Rhodes reclaimed the WWE title by beating Reigns on night two.
Addressing whether a Reigns vs. The Rock match is still possible, Reigns emphasized fan demand as a critical factor:
“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, who made a surprise return at last month’s Bad Blood event, has remained absent since, leaving fans wondering about his next move, potentially hinting at a confrontation at Survivor Series where The Bloodline factions will battle in a WarGames match.
Tommy Fury Teases WWE Ambitions After Backstage Visit
Boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury, raised eyebrows among wrestling fans after sharing footage of his recent backstage visit during WWE’s UK tour. Posting on YouTube, Tommy expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of wrestling in WWE:
“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, who carries an undefeated 10-0 boxing record and notably handed Jake Paul his first professional loss, could potentially cross over into pro wrestling. His brother Tyson Fury had a single WWE match at Crown Jewel 2019, defeating Braun Strowman by count-out, and also famously disrupted Logan Paul’s Money in the Bank cash-in attempt in 2022. Given Tommy’s existing rapport with the Paul family and the WWE presence of Logan Paul, a potential rivalry or tag match featuring the Fury brothers vs. the Paul brothers could draw interest from both wrestling and mainstream fans.
Oba Femi’s Extended Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
NXT star Oba Femi has not been seen on WWE programming for over a month, raising questions about his current status in the company. According to Fightful Select, there have been no reports of Femi backstage at recent NXT tapings since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc.
Femi enjoyed a dominant run since debuting in April 2023, winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. However, he suffered his first televised loss to D’Angelo in October, losing the title after a record-setting 272-day reign, followed by a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc.
The reasons for Femi’s absence remain unclear—it could be a creative decision to allow him to recover from the high-profile setbacks, preparation for a main roster call-up, or possibly injury. When he returns, many see Femi as a strong contender for the NXT Championship, potentially poised to challenge current titleholder Trick Williams.
Looking Ahead
With WrestleMania aftermath stories still unfolding, new wrestling talent emerging, and crossover stars like Tommy Fury signaling interest in the squared circle, WWE continues to navigate a dynamic landscape fueled by fan engagement and fresh rivalries. Fans can stay tuned for further developments, including potential impacts from upcoming events like Survivor Series.
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