Backstage News on Powerhouse Hobbs’ AEW Exit and WWE Move – Dave Meltzer discussed the rapidly developing situation surrounding Powerhouse Hobbs on Wrestling Observer Radio, offering new details on the powerhouse’s expected jump from AEW to WWE.
News broke last night that Hobbs’ AEW contract is expiring and that he is widely expected to sign with WWE. According to Meltzer, WWE has been anticipating Hobbs’ arrival for quite some time. Hobbs wrapped up with AEW on Wednesday, filming what is expected to be his final match — a Trios Championship defense set to air this Saturday on Collision (spoilers here).
Meltzer explained that WWE believed Hobbs was essentially theirs weeks ago. “WWE had expected that they had Hobbs for actually quite a while,” he said. “They thought the match last Wednesday was going to be his last one, but he actually did a match on Collision. That will air on Saturday, so that will be his last match. His contract actually expires today.”
Despite AEW making what Meltzer described as a significant offer, Hobbs declined and opted to pursue WWE instead. Meltzer noted that the move may be the right fit for some wrestlers and not for others, but Hobbs clearly wanted to test himself on a new stage.
Interestingly, Meltzer pointed out that Tony Khan keeping Hobbs active on television suggests AEW was not fully aware he intended to leave until very recently. “Tony liked him and everything. And he was professional,” Meltzer said. “Tony didn’t take him off TV, so that tells me he didn’t know he was going. But WWE — they were pretty confident they’ve had him for months, really.”
Hobbs, 34, joined AEW in 2020 after making a name for himself on the California independent scene. During his time with the company, he captured the TNT Championship and later the Trios Championships as part of The Opps alongside Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata.
With his contract expiring today and WWE’s interest long‑standing, all signs point toward Hobbs beginning a new chapter — one that could unfold as early as this week.
Backstage News on Powerhouse Hobbs’ AEW Exit and WWE Move
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