Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock and Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE, and NXT Star Oba Femi’s Recent Absence
By Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the WWE Universe, featuring candid insights from Roman Reigns about his WrestleMania 40 experiences, boxing star Tommy Fury’s interest in WWE, and intriguing news surrounding NXT’s Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40’s Main Event Dynamics
During a recent interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, Roman Reigns shared his perspective on the shifting WrestleMania 40 main event plans involving himself, The Rock, and Cody Rhodes. When asked if he had been disappointed to face Rhodes rather than The Rock, Reigns was clear that it did not matter to him who his opponent was as long as he was headlining the show.
“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,” Reigns said.
The storyline leading into WrestleMania 40 saw Cody Rhodes win the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble but initially state he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, making it appear The Rock would take that spot. This decision was met with fan backlash, prompting Rhodes to reverse course, ultimately leading to The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and joining forces with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event, only for Rhodes to capture the WWE title from Reigns on Night 2. Looking ahead, Reigns left the door open to a future match against The Rock, contingent on fan demand. He explained, “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 an unannounced return last month at WWE Bad Blood, has yet to clarify his intentions. With The Bloodline’s conflict set to escalate in a WarGames match at the upcoming Survivor Series, many speculate The Rock could reappear to further a rivalry with his cousin Reigns.
Tommy Fury Shows Interest in Exploring a WWE Career
Tommy Fury, the undefeated British professional boxer and younger brother of former heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has hinted at a possible future in professional wrestling with WWE. In a recent YouTube video documenting a night backstage during WWE’s UK tour, Fury expressed admiration for WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther and thanked WWE for their hospitality.
He stated, “I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.” Given Tommy’s established name in combat sports and connections to the Paul family—he remains the only fighter to defeat Jake Paul—there is speculation he could eventually serve as an opponent for Logan Paul, who is both a WWE Superstar and former United States Champion. A tag team storyline involving the Fury brothers and the Paul brothers could appeal broadly to mainstream audiences, making Fury’s WWE involvement a fascinating possibility to watch.
Oba Femi’s Absence from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has reportedly been absent from NXT tapings since late October. According to Fightful Select, no signs of Femi backstage have surfaced since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. The reasons for his absence are currently unclear—it could be a strategic break following consecutive losses or potentially related to injury.
Femi debuted on NXT television in April 2023 and quickly rose through the ranks by winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and securing the North American Championship by defeating Dragon Lee. His championship reign lasted a record 272 days before D’Angelo ended it last month, followed by a rematch loss at Halloween Havoc. Fans and insiders speculate that once he returns, Femi could emerge as a strong contender for the NXT Championship and potentially dethrone current titleholder Trick Williams.
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[Photo Caption]: The Rock and Roman Reigns celebrate their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins during Night 1 of WrestleMania 40 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on April 6, 2024. (Photo credit: WWE/Getty Images)
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