Roman Reigns Discusses The Rock, Cody Rhodes; Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Debut; NXT’s Oba Femi Reportedly Absent
By Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024
Bleacher Report brings you the latest updates from the world of WWE, featuring insights from Roman Reigns on WrestleMania 40 opponents, boxer Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling aspirations, and rumors surrounding NXT’s Oba Femi.
Roman Reigns Opens Up About The Rock and Cody Rhodes Rivalries
Roman Reigns shared his thoughts on facing both The Rock and Cody Rhodes during an interview on the SI Media podcast with Jimmy Traina on Tuesday. The conversation touched on Reigns’ experience navigating WrestleMania 40’s evolving main event plans, which involved a highly anticipated showdown with The Rock that ultimately did not materialize.
When asked if he was disappointed not to face The Rock, but rather Cody Rhodes in the big match, Reigns was candid:
"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."
Initially, after Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, he stated he wouldn’t challenge Reigns at WrestleMania for the WWE Championship, leading to speculation that The Rock would take the spot. However, fan backlash prompted Rhodes to reverse course days later, which coincided with The Rock turning heel, adopting the persona of “The Final Boss,” and aligning with Reigns.
The duo of The Rock and Reigns teamed up to defeat Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event of WrestleMania 40. The following night, Rhodes reclaimed the WWE Championship from Reigns in a high-profile match.
Regarding a future Rock vs. Reigns encounter, Reigns indicated it remains a possibility depending on fan interest:
"I think our fanbase and the company’s proven that if our fans are loud enough and passionate enough about something… we’re not being dictated to. We have a vision for where we’re trying to go, but we know who the consumers are… 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 the recent Bad Blood event but has yet to clarify his future intentions with WWE. With the upcoming WarGames match involving different Bloodline factions at Survivor Series, speculation is growing that The Rock could return again, potentially setting up a long-awaited clash with Roman Reigns.
Boxer Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future
Tommy Fury, the undefeated professional boxer and younger brother of former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, has teased the idea of joining WWE. Fury shared footage from behind the scenes of a WWE event in the United Kingdom via a YouTube video posted on Sunday.
Speaking about his experience, Fury expressed gratitude toward WWE and its talent, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther, while alluding to a possible future in wrestling:
"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 stands out not just as Tyson’s brother but as a notable figure in his own right, holding a perfect 10-0 boxing record and famously handing Jake Paul his first professional loss.
His connections to the Paul family — given they are WWE’s Logan Paul and Jake Paul — make him a natural candidate for storylines that could attract mainstream attention. A tag team showdown featuring the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers could be a compelling draw for WWE’s expanding audience.
Oba Femi’s Recent Absence from NXT Sparks Speculation
Oba Femi, former NXT North American Champion, has not been seen at NXT tapings recently, raising questions about his status in WWE’s developmental brand. According to Fightful Select, Femi has been absent since his loss to Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27, and there has been no backstage activity reported for him (h/t H Jenkins of Ringside News).
The reasons behind Femi’s absence remain unclear. It may be a strategic decision to give him time to reset after suffering back-to-back losses — first dropping the North American title after a record 272-day reign, followed by a defeat in the rematch. Alternatively, he might be recuperating from injury or preparing for a potential call-up to WWE’s main roster.
Since debuting on NXT television in April 2023, Femi made a strong impact by winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship in a surprise cash-in. His return could see him positioned as a challenger for the NXT Championship, as he remains one of the brand’s most promising talents.
Conclusion
From Roman Reigns’ reflections on his WrestleMania journey to Tommy Fury’s flirtation with WWE and the intriguing hiatus of Oba Femi in NXT, the WWE Universe is buzzing with developments that could shape the future trajectory of the company. Fans will surely be watching closely as these stories continue to unfold in the months ahead.
Stay tuned with Bleacher Report for all the latest WWE news and updates.