For the past six years, wrestling fans have closely followed Powerhouse Hobbs’ rise, spanning his time in All Elite Wrestling to his recent entry into WWE. WWE Hall of Famer Booker T shared that Hobbs, like many emerging stars, was extremely eager and ready to seize any opportunity the wrestling business offered him early on.
On the “Hall of Fame” podcast, Booker T recounted, “When I’d get to the arena, Will Hobbs was often there waiting. He’d say, ‘Uncle Book, let me yell, let me yell,’ and we’d chat regularly. I constantly gave him advice because he kept saying, ‘I’m trying to break in, who should I talk to?’ I told him, ‘Brother, that’s not exactly how it works, but keep pushing forward and don’t quit—it’ll happen.’ Then he made his debut in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs, and the rest is history.” Hobbs first appeared on AEW Dark in July 2020, stepping into the ring against former AEW International Champion Orange Cassidy. He steadily impressed AEW officials throughout the following months, which led to a contract offer.
Booker T also expressed strong confidence in Hobbs’ future, stating, “This is a guy who fought tooth and nail just to get noticed. I’m proud he went to AEW and earned TV time—that’s invaluable exposure. If someone sees your talent, a call might come or an opportunity might be waiting backstage. There’s talk of him leaving AEW for WWE, and I’ve been advocating for him for some time now.” He added that all Hobbs needs is a proper chance to make a significant impact in wrestling.
Looking ahead, Booker believes Hobbs fits naturally into WWE, and rumors suggest Hobbs may perform under the new ring name “Royce Keys.” WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff recently echoed that Hobbs is positioned well to succeed in the company. While no official date has been announced for Hobbs’ WWE debut, speculation points to a potential surprise entrance at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Having spent over ten years in the ring and earned multiple championships, Hobbs brings a wealth of experience to WWE.
Fan Take:
Powerhouse Hobbs’ transition from AEW to WWE is an exciting development that could shake up the WWE roster and storylines. For fans, this signals fresh talent and new rivalries, potentially elevating the sport’s entertainment and competitive spirit.
