Roman Reigns Opens Up on The Rock, Cody Rhodes, While Tommy Fury Eyes WWE Career and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence Sparks Rumors
Bleacher Report WWE update by Mike Chiari – November 27, 2024
Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40 Opponents and Future Possibilities
Roman Reigns recently shared his candid thoughts on facing Cody Rhodes instead of The Rock at WrestleMania 40 during an appearance on the SI Media podcast with Sports Illustrated’s Jimmy Traina. The WWE Universal Champion revealed he was unfazed by the opponent switch at the showpiece event, emphasizing that the main event is what truly matters to him.
When asked whether he was disappointed not to have faced The Rock, Reigns said it "didn’t matter" who the challenger was, highlighting his status as the “main event” and “the hot chick everyone wanted to take out.”
Reigns described the shared mission between him and his opponents as the same: “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.”
The storyline shifted following Rhodes’ 2024 Royal Rumble victory. Initially, Rhodes opted not to challenge Reigns for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania, seemingly paving the way for The Rock’s involvement. However, after a backlash from fans, Rhodes reversed course, leading to The Rock turning heel—adopting the moniker “The Final Boss” and aligning with Reigns. Together, The Rock and Reigns defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in the Night 1 main event before Rhodes retook the WWE title from Reigns in the climactic Night 2 main event.
Discussing the possibility of a future marquee showdown against The Rock, Reigns left the door open, stating that it depends largely on 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 had made a surprise return at last month’s Bad Blood event but has remained mostly absent since, adding intrigue to whether he may reemerge soon—possibly during the upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match where the new and original versions of The Bloodline clash.
Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Aspirations After Backstage Visit
Boxer Tommy Fury, known for his unbeaten record and notable victory over Jake Paul, has hinted at a potential future in professional wrestling. Following a backstage visit during WWE’s recent UK tour, Fury posted a video on YouTube expressing admiration for the company and its wrestlers like Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
“Big up to the WWE for showing us such appreciation, and I look forward to possibly climbing through those ropes one day,” Fury said.
Tommy is the younger brother of Tyson Fury, the former world heavyweight boxing champion who briefly crossed into WWE. Tyson Fury wrestled Braun Strowman at Crown Jewel 2019 and has made notable appearances within WWE audiences, including a notable incident at Clash at the Castle 2022. Given Tommy Fury’s boxing credentials and connections with the Paul family, a wrestling career could complement existing WWE storylines, particularly as a potential foil to WWE star Logan Paul. A celebrity versus celebrity feud or tag team match featuring the Fury brothers versus the Paul brothers could boost mainstream interest.
Oba Femi’s Mysterious Absence from NXT Raises Questions
In NXT news, former North American Champion Oba Femi has been notably absent from tapings since his defeat by Tony D’Angelo at Halloween Havoc on October 27. Fightful Select reports no recent backstage sightings or updates on Femi, who sustained two significant losses after a dominant run that began with his NXT debut in April 2023. Femi’s impressive early NXT stint included winning the Breakout Tournament and capturing the North American Championship with a record 272-day reign. His unexpected title loss and subsequent rematch defeat have led to speculation that he may be taking time off to reset.
While the reasons for Femi’s hiatus remain unclear, possibilities include a main roster call-up, injury, or creative plans designed to build anticipation for his eventual return. Should he come back in due course, many see him as a prime candidate to challenge for the NXT Championship.
Looking Ahead
As WWE continues to evolve its storylines and roster dynamics, Roman Reigns appears poised to remain a central figure, potentially facing off against legends like The Rock if fan interest heats up. Meanwhile, new crossover talents like Tommy Fury may soon bring fresh energy and attention to WWE programming, and NXT watchers are keenly awaiting Oba Femi’s next move after his recent absence.
Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for the latest updates and exclusive insights from the WWE Universe.