Former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs, now wrestling under the name Royce Keyes, has officially made his WWE debut. During the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble, Keyes surprised fans as the 14th entrant, making a strong impact by quickly eliminating Damian Priest and battling several top WWE stars, including Jevon Evans and Cody Rhodes. Although he didn’t last to win the Rumble, his high-profile appearance ended weeks of speculation about his move to WWE.
Keyes is widely recognized for his tenure in AEW, where he held the Trios Championship alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata as part of “The Ops.” His AEW contract ended on January 14th, the same day he lost the Trios title to the team of Jet Speed and “Hangman” Adam Page. While it’s not yet confirmed which WWE brand he’ll join, observations from the Rumble hint that he could appear on NXT or even more prominent shows, as he was seen engaging with major stars and AAA talent backstage.
Fan Take: Royce Keyes’ arrival in WWE is a major coup, signaling a potential shift in the wrestling landscape as AEW talents transition to WWE’s stage. His debut injects fresh energy and new rivalries into WWE, raising excitement among fans eager to see how he adapts and rises within the company.
