A former AEW wrestler made his WWE debut today, January 31, 2026, by participating in the Men’s Royal Rumble match during a major live event. The surprise entry appeared as the 14th competitor, initially introducing the name Powerhouse Hobbs on the Titantron before swiftly changing it to his new WWE identity, Royce Keyes.
Keyes remained in the match for several minutes but was ultimately eliminated by a group effort from Bronson Reed of The Vision, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul. Other unexpected entrants in the match included Chad Gable, returning under the alias El Grande Americano to face Ludwig Kaiser’s own version of the character. Additional surprise appearances came from AAA stars Mr. Iguana and La Parka, along with the return of LA Night.
For those interested in the full lineup of participants for this year’s men’s Royal Rumble, a detailed list is available via the provided link.
Fan Take: This debut is significant for AEW supporters as it signals WWE’s continued interest in acquiring top talent from its competitor, which could reshape the wrestling landscape. It highlights an evolving rivalry that pushes both companies to innovate, ultimately benefiting the sport with fresh matchups and storylines.
