Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE; Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
By Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, including Roman Reigns’ thoughts on his WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s burgeoning interest in pro wrestling, and speculation surrounding NXT star Oba Femi’s recent absence.
Roman Reigns Talks WrestleMania 40 and Potential Rock Match
Roman Reigns, WWE’s “Tribal Chief,” recently spoke candidly on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina about the main event scene at WrestleMania 40 and his experiences facing Cody Rhodes rather than the long-anticipated clash with The Rock.
Reigns expressed that it did not bother him to face Rhodes instead of The Rock, emphasizing the importance of being in the WrestleMania main event regardless of the opponent.
“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 out. It’s the same task in hand for me,” Reigns explained.
The decision to switch between The Rock and Rhodes as Reigns’ opponent generated fan buzz, especially after Rhodes initially announced he would not challenge Reigns following his Royal Rumble win. The Rock stepped in as a replacement, turning heel by adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. The two cousins teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the first night’s main event, but Rhodes reclaimed the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. When asked whether a Reigns vs. Rock confrontation could still happen in the future, Reigns acknowledged the possibility, highlighting WWE’s responsiveness to fan demand:
“If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
The Rock made an unannounced return at last month’s Bad Blood event but has remained absent since. With Survivor Series featuring a WarGames match involving both the new and original Bloodline factions, fans speculate The Rock may reemerge, potentially setting the stage for an epic family showdown.
Tommy Fury Teases Prospective WWE Career
Rising boxing star Tommy Fury, younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, hinted at a future in WWE during his backstage visit to a recent WWE UK tour event.
In a video posted to YouTube, Tommy expressed enthusiasm about the night and openness to stepping into the wrestling ring:
“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, undefeated in 10 professional boxing matches and renowned for his win over Jake Paul, has connections that could serve him well in WWE. His relationship with the Paul family makes him a natural candidate for storylines involving Logan Paul, a WWE Superstar known for his recent run as United States Champion. The potential for a “Fury brothers vs. Paul brothers” tag team match could draw significant mainstream attention, aligning with WWE’s interest in expanding its audience.
Tyson Fury previously worked with WWE, wrestling Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and intervening in storylines at Clash at the Castle 2022, indicating a family history of engagement with the wrestling company.
Oba Femi Absent from NXT Programming Amid Speculation
NXT standout Oba Femi has reportedly not appeared at NXT tapings since his October 27 loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc, igniting speculation about his status in WWE’s developmental brand.
Fightful Select reports that Femi, who dominated NXT following his April 2023 televised debut, winning the Breakout Tournament and a 272-day North American Championship reign, has been missing from recent shows. His defeat to D’Angelo ended his title run and was followed by a rematch loss, after which no further appearances have been noted.
Possible explanations for Femi’s absence include a hiatus to recover from injuries or a strategic TV break to allow the impact of his losses to settle before a fresh storyline. Another possibility is that he is being prepared for a main roster call-up.
If and when he returns, Femi is viewed as a top contender for the NXT Championship, poised to play a major role in the brand’s future.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for further WWE updates and breaking news from the wrestling world.