Powerhouse Hobbs Makes WWE Royal Rumble Debut as Royce Keys – Powerhouse Hobbs officially arrived in WWE during the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble, debuting with a completely new presentation and ring name. Longstanding rumors about his move from AEW proved accurate when he entered the match in Riyadh, marking a major career shift for the former TNT Champion.
When the countdown reached zero for entrant number fourteen, the video graphics displayed the name Powerhouse Hobbs, which immediately drew a strong reaction from the crowd at Riyadh Season Stadium. Commentary acknowledged the name, reinforcing the surprise of his appearance. Moments later, the presentation shifted, revealing Hobbs’ new WWE identity as Royce Keys. The name change signaled a full reintroduction rather than a continuation of his previous persona.
Royce Keys wasted no time making an impact. He entered the ring aggressively and quickly eliminated Damian Priest, who had entered earlier in the match. That moment helped establish Keys as a physical threat right out of the gate. Shortly after, he came face-to-face with Cody Rhodes, a familiar rival from their time together in All Elite Wrestling. Their brief confrontation served as a reminder of their shared history outside WWE and added another layer of intrigue to the debut.
Despite the strong start, Keys’ Royal Rumble run was relatively short. As the match filled up, multiple competitors targeted the newcomer, neutralizing his power advantage. He was ultimately eliminated by Bronson Reed after being overwhelmed, ending his first WWE appearance sooner than expected.
Hobbs’ WWE debut came shortly after his departure from AEW. His contract with the company expired last week, closing the door on a run that included reigns as TNT Champion and Tag Team Champion. His final AEW appearance saw him team with Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata in a six-man tag team match on Collision, where they dropped their titles to Hangman Page and JetSpeed.
Reports indicated that AEW made a strong financial effort to retain Hobbs. Ultimately, he chose WWE, debuting on one of the company’s biggest stages. With a new name and presentation now established, Royce Keys’ Royal Rumble appearance set the foundation for what comes next in his WWE career.
Powerhouse Hobbs Makes WWE Royal Rumble Debut as Royce Keys
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