Royce Keith made an impressive debut at WWE’s Royal Rumble last Saturday, and fans are eager to see what’s next for him. Previously known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, where he held the TNT Championship, Keith did not appear on Monday’s RAW episode.
One of the most surprising entrants in the Men’s Rumble, Keith lasted nearly 10 minutes before being eliminated by Bronson Reed. Unlike most WWE signees who start in NXT, Keith plans to skip that step and begin directly on the main roster.
According to Bodyslam.net, Keith is expected to join the SmackDown brand, reuniting with former AEW stars Cody Rhodes and Aleister Black. At 35, he is considered one of WWE’s most exciting recent signings, and many believe he deserved a main event push during his AEW tenure. With SmackDown currently lacking a genuine babyface, Keith has the potential to become a major force on the show.
Roman Reigns has recently shifted to more of a tweener role and has drawn mixed reactions, including boos from Saudi fans who opposed the idea of him winning the Rumble. With WrestleMania 42 on the horizon, how WWE utilizes Keith will be critical, but placing him on SmackDown as a powerhouse seems like a smart strategic choice.
Another heavyweight, Oba Femi, also made waves with his Rumble debut. Called up from NXT, he entered first and took out five competitors before Brock Lesnar eliminated him. The following night on RAW, Oba picked up a victory over the Viking Raiders.
Femi, a two-time NXT Champion, is now part of the RAW roster, which may explain why Keith was assigned to SmackDown to balance the powerhouses across brands. Both superstars share similar traits in size and strength, and while still early in their main roster careers, they could eventually face off in a highly anticipated match. For now, WWE aims to showcase them as dominant figures representing their respective shows.
Fan Take: Royce Keith’s move to SmackDown injects much-needed fresh energy and star power into the brand, offering fans an exciting new hero to rally behind. His presence, combined with Oba Femi on RAW, signals a promising era where WWE’s heavyweight division is revitalized, setting the stage for compelling storylines ahead of WrestleMania.
