Roman Reigns on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Future, and NXT Updates on Oba Femi
By Mike Chiari | Bleacher Report | November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe continues to buzz with fresh developments as Roman Reigns discusses his encounters with The Rock and Cody Rhodes, boxer Tommy Fury hints at a potential WWE career, and rumors swirl around NXT standout Oba Femi’s recent absence. Here’s a detailed look at the latest WWE news and backstage insights.
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Main Event and The Rock Match Possibility
In a candid interview on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina, WWE’s reigning powerhouse Roman Reigns opened up about his experience headlining WrestleMania 40 against Cody Rhodes. The build to the event saw an intriguing back-and-forth regarding who Reigns would face: the legendary The Rock or the rising star Rhodes.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock in the main event, Reigns made it clear that his focus was solely on being in the spotlight:
“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.”
After Cody Rhodes captured the 2024 Men’s Royal Rumble, he initially indicated he would not challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship, which paved the way for The Rock’s anticipated return. However, due to a negative fan reaction, Rhodes reversed his stance, leading to The Rock turning heel, adopting "The Final Boss" persona, and aligning with Reigns.
The two cousins teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins on Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, while Rhodes triumphed over Reigns for the WWE title on Night 2. Regarding a potential future showdown with The Rock, Reigns suggested that if fan demand is strong, the match could indeed come to fruition:
“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.”
While The Rock returned unexpectedly at Bad Blood last month, his intentions remain unclear, and fans are eager to see if he will resurface at upcoming WWE events such as Survivor Series, where the new and original Bloodline factions are set to clash in a WarGames match.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations After UK Tour
British boxer Tommy Fury, brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, appears intrigued by the world of professional wrestling. Recently, Tommy posted a YouTube video showcasing his experience backstage during WWE’s UK tour, where he met Superstars including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
In the clip, he expressed gratitude and hinted at a possible future 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 Fury, 25, boasts an undefeated professional boxing record and remains the only man to have beaten social media and boxing star Jake Paul. Given Tyson Fury’s prior involvement with WWE—including his match at Crown Jewel 2019 and notable appearance at Clash at the Castle in 2022—Tommy’s potential crossover into wrestling could resonate with mainstream audiences.
A matchup involving the Fury brothers and WWE’s Paul brothers, such as Logan Paul, could offer an exciting storyline and broaden WWE’s appeal.
Oba Femi’s Recent NXT Absence Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has notably been absent from NXT tapings since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, according to Fightful Select.
Femi enjoyed a strong run on NXT after debuting in April 2023, winning the Breakout Tournament, and capturing the North American title from Dragon Lee, holding it for a record 272 days. However, after dropping the championship to D’Angelo and losing a rematch at Halloween Havoc, Femi has not appeared on NXT television.
The reason for his absence remains unclear. It may be to allow time for physical healing, character development, or to let the impact of recent losses subside. Fans speculate that Femi could be resting before a main roster promotion or could soon mount a comeback targeting the NXT Championship, possibly aiming to dethrone current champion Trick Williams.
What’s Next for WWE Fans?
With WrestleMania 40 in the rearview mirror, WWE fans are eagerly anticipating potential future clashes involving Roman Reigns and The Rock, curious about Tommy Fury’s wrestling prospects, and watching closely for Oba Femi’s return to NXT.
Stay tuned for further WWE updates and exclusive backstage rumors as Bleacher Report continues to cover all aspects of the wrestling world.
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