Roman Reigns Reflects on WrestleMania 40, The Rock vs. Cody Rhodes, Tommy Fury Hints at WWE Future, and Oba Femi’s NXT Absence
By Mike Chiari, Bleacher Report – November 27, 2024
The WWE Universe continues to buzz with recent developments involving some of its biggest stars. Roman Reigns opened up about the WrestleMania 40 main event dynamics involving The Rock and Cody Rhodes, while boxing star Tommy Fury showed interest in potentially working with WWE. Meanwhile, NXT fans are curious about the absence of former North American Champion Oba Femi on recent tapings. Here’s a detailed update.
Roman Reigns Discusses WrestleMania 40 Main Event and Future Potential with The Rock
Roman Reigns joined Sports Illustrated’s podcast with Jimmy Traina to discuss the headline-grabbing moments of WrestleMania 40 and his experiences facing both The Rock and Cody Rhodes. The long-anticipated main event scene featured a back-and-forth storyline with WWE seemingly uncertain about whether Reigns would face his cousin The Rock or Rhodes at the biggest show of the year.
Reigns shared his mindset, emphasizing that being in the main event was what mattered most — not the opponent:
“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 was. They are trying to stop history from happening,” Reigns said, highlighting the challenge of defending his WWE Championship regardless of his opponent.
After Cody Rhodes won the 2024 men’s Royal Rumble, speculation surged that he would face Reigns. However, Rhodes initially declined that confrontation, paving the way for The Rock’s anticipated return as the contender. Fan backlash prompted a storyline reversal, culminating in The Rock turning heel as “The Final Boss” and aligning alongside Reigns. Together, they defeated Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a Night 1 main event at WrestleMania 40. The following night, Rhodes captured the WWE Championship by defeating Reigns.
With no Reigns vs. Rock singles match at WrestleMania as many expected, Traina asked if such a match remains possible. Reigns stated that if fans voice their desire loudly enough, WWE will oblige:
“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… If that’s what the people want and The People’s Champ is down, I’m sure we can make something happen.”
Although The Rock made a surprise WWE appearance last month at Bad Blood, he has not clarified his future intentions. With The Bloodline storyline heating up around Survivor Series, fans are speculating that The Rock could resurface and eventually set the stage for a blockbuster showdown with Reigns.
Tommy Fury Hints at Possible WWE Wrestling Venture
Tommy Fury, the professional British boxer and younger brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, recently teased the possibility of stepping into the wrestling ring. During WWE’s UK tour, Fury shared a YouTube video showing backstage moments with several WWE Superstars, including Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, and Gunther.
Expressing his gratitude and excitement, Tommy said:
“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 those ropes one day. Who knows? But it’s been a great night.”
Tommy Fury, undefeated at 10-0 in professional boxing and notably the only boxer to have beaten Jake Paul, seems poised to explore crossover opportunities with WWE. Given his family ties and the prominence of the Paul brothers in WWE storylines—especially Logan Paul, a former United States Champion—a potential wrestling career for Tommy could blend mainstream appeal with engaging sports entertainment rivalries.
Oba Femi’s Disappearance from NXT Raises Questions
Oba Femi, a former North American Champion and notable NXT talent, has been noticeably absent from NXT tapings since his loss at Halloween Havoc on October 27. According to Fightful Select, Femi has not been seen backstage or on television following his defeat to Tony D’Angelo, who ended Femi’s record-breaking 272-day title reign.
Femi had a strong run following his televised debut in April 2023—winning the NXT Breakout Tournament and successfully capturing the North American Championship from Dragon Lee. His recent losses and sudden absence have sparked various theories: he might be taking time to recover from injury, being poised for a main roster promotion, or simply given a break to recalibrate after his setbacks.
When Femi returns, many believe he could be a prime contender for the NXT Championship, potentially positioned to challenge champion Trick Williams. NXT officials may also be aiming to build anticipation around his comeback run, given his athletic background and dominant presence in NXT.
What’s Next for WWE Fans?
Roman Reigns’ openness to a future match with The Rock, Tommy Fury’s potential wrestling aspirations, and Oba Femi’s mysterious NXT hiatus all offer compelling storylines to watch as WWE gears up for upcoming events. The evolving dynamics within WWE’s roster promise exciting matchups and surprises in the months ahead.
For continuing updates and expert analysis on WWE and professional wrestling, stay tuned to Bleacher Report’s Wrestling section and listen to the latest episodes of Ring Rust Radio.
Photo Credit: WWE/Getty Images – Roman Reigns and The Rock after their victory over Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40, April 6, 2024, Philadelphia, PA.
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