Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Shows Interest in WWE; Oba Femi Absent from NXT
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe has been buzzing lately with news about some of its biggest stars. In a recent interview, Roman Reigns opened up about his WrestleMania 40 experience, including his perspectives on The Rock and Cody Rhodes. Meanwhile, boxer Tommy Fury has hinted at a potential future in WWE, and NXT fans are curious about the unexplained absence of former North American Champion Oba Femi. Here’s the latest on these developing stories.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40: The Rock, Cody Rhodes, and Future Possibilities
Roman Reigns appeared on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, where he addressed the ongoing fan curiosity about his WrestleMania 40 matches and future plans. When asked about facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock in the WrestleMania main event, Reigns made it clear that his primary focus was simply being in the spotlight.
Reigns said, “It doesn’t matter to me. I was the main event. I’m the guy that everyone wanted to dance with. They tried to stop history from happening. It was the same task in hand — defending my title, no matter the opponent.”
The path to WrestleMania 40 saw some twists. After Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he initially declared he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship. This opened the door for The Rock to step in. However, negative fan reactions led Rhodes to reverse course, and The Rock turned heel as "The Final Boss," aligning himself with Reigns. The night one main event at WrestleMania 40 saw Reigns and The Rock defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins, but on night two, Rhodes triumphed over Reigns, capturing the WWE Championship.
Looking ahead, Traina asked if Reigns and The Rock might face off eventually. Reigns said, “If our fans are loud and passionate enough, we can make something happen. The company listens to the people, and if The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we could put that match together.”
The Rock made a surprise return at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but hasn’t appeared since. With high-profile events like Survivor Series involving The Bloodline clans, The Rock’s presence could signal a renewed storyline with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Teases WWE Ambitions
Boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has teased a potential career in professional wrestling with WWE.
In a recent YouTube video filmed backstage at a WWE UK tour stop, Fury expressed admiration for the wrestling world and gratitude for the reception he received from WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
He commented, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? It’s been a great night.”
At 25, Fury holds an undefeated boxing record and notably defeated Jake Paul, a major sports crossover figure now active in WWE. His family connection to Tyson Fury — who had a match and impactful presence in WWE — makes Tommy a promising candidate for WWE storylines, especially as a rival or foil to the Paul brothers, one of whom, Logan Paul, is an active WWE superstar.
A speculative tag team clash featuring the Fury brothers vs. the Paul brothers could attract wide mainstream attention, making Tommy’s WWE interest an intriguing development for fans and executives alike.
Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has not appeared on NXT programming or backstage at tapings for roughly a month, according to reports from Fightful Select.
Femi’s last televised match was a loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, 2024, where he dropped the North American title after a record 272-day reign. He also lost a rematch to D’Angelo at that event. Since then, he has been noticeably absent, with no official explanation.
While some fans speculate injury or a main roster call-up could be reasons, insiders suggest WWE creative might be giving Femi some time off to regroup following two high-profile defeats. Given his rise since debuting in April 2023—including winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and holding a key championship—Femi is expected to remain a major contender.
When he returns, he may pursue the NXT Championship, potentially positioning himself as the one to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
Final Thoughts
The WWE landscape continues to evolve with high-profile stories from Reigns’ WrestleMania reflections to emerging talents like Tommy Fury and Oba Femi’s uncertain status. The company’s blend of sports, entertainment, and surprise keeps fans eagerly anticipating what’s next.
For ongoing wrestling discussions and insights, you can listen to Ring Rust Radio and catch the latest episodes covering all the hottest topics in the wrestling world.
Photo Caption: The Rock and Roman Reigns after their win against Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, April 6, 2024, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images)