Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; Oba Femi’s NXT Status in Question
By Mike Chiari | Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
The latest updates from the WWE Universe bring interesting insights from some of wrestling’s hottest personalities including Roman Reigns, young boxing star Tommy Fury, and NXT standout Oba Femi. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the newest news and rumors making waves in professional wrestling.
Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40: Facing Cody Rhodes Instead of The Rock
In an exclusive interview on the SI Media podcast on Tuesday, WWE’s Tribal Chief Roman Reigns candidly addressed the much-discussed topic of WrestleMania 40’s main event. Reigns was initially set to battle either his cousin The Rock or top star Cody Rhodes for the WWE Championship at the biggest event of the year, but ultimately faced Rhodes.
When asked by Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina if he felt disappointed about not facing The Rock, Reigns dismissed the notion, emphasizing that being in the main event was what mattered most to him.
“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 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.”
Originally after winning the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble, Rhodes had declared he wouldn’t challenge Reigns for the WWE title at WrestleMania, suggesting The Rock would be the challenger instead. However, due to negative fan reactions, the plan shifted, leading to The Rock turning heel and joining forces with Reigns as “The Final Boss.” The Rock and Reigns teamed to defeat Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, followed by Rhodes winning the WWE Championship from Reigns on Night 2. Regarding a potential future one-on-one match with The Rock, Reigns indicated that it’s a possibility if fans demand it loudly enough.
“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 a surprise appearance at WWE’s Bad Blood event last month but has been absent since, leaving speculation open for future storylines. A potential WarGames match featuring members of The Bloodline at Survivor Series might be an opportune moment for The Rock to reenter and reignite a feud with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations
British boxer Tommy Fury, younger brother of former world champion Tyson Fury, has hinted that he may consider venturing into pro wrestling with WWE.
In a YouTube video posted Sunday showing Fury backstage at a WWE event during the company’s UK tour, he expressed excitement about the WWE environment and acknowledged meeting and receiving support from WWE Superstars such as Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Fury shared:
“And I look forward to possibly climbing through them ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury’s flawless 10-0 boxing record and unique connection to the Paul family, including having handed Jake Paul a loss inside the ring, position him as a compelling addition to WWE’s roster. The potential for a rivalry or even tag matches pitting the Fury brothers against the Paul brothers could captivate both wrestling and boxing fans alike.
NXT Star Oba Femi Absent Following Recent Losses
Former NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from NXT tapings and television for about a month, according to reports from Fightful Select and cited by Ringside News.
Femi’s absence comes after his back-to-back losses, including dropping the North American Championship to Tony D’Angelo and a subsequent rematch loss at Halloween Havoc on October 27. These defeats ended Femi’s impressive title reign at 272 days, marking the longest in that championship’s history.
While no official explanation has been given, speculation includes the possibility that WWE is giving Femi time to recover—whether physically or creatively—or potentially preparing him for a main roster call-up. He remains a strong contender to pursue the NXT Championship upon his return, with fans eager to see how his story unfolds.
Stay Tuned for More Updates
For fans eager to stay current with the hottest discussions in wrestling, Ring Rust Radio continues to cover these topics extensively. WWE’s evolving storylines and upcoming events promise plenty of excitement as the company heads into 2025. —
Summary:
- Roman Reigns expressed contentment with facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40 but left the door open for a future match with The Rock.
- Boxer Tommy Fury hinted at a possible WWE career following a backstage visit and positive experiences engaging with WWE Superstars.
- NXT standout Oba Femi has been off television since October following consecutive losses, sparking rumors about his status and future plans.
Keep following Bleacher Report for all the latest WWE news, rumors, and insider perspectives.