Powerhouse Hobbs New WWE Name Revealed – A significant rebrand appears to be in motion as Powerhouse Hobbs prepares for his next chapter in WWE. According to a report from BodySlam, Hobbs is expected to work under the ring name Royce Keys when he officially debuts with the company.
The report notes that WWE talent are often given substantial input when selecting new ring names, particularly in cases involving established performers transitioning from another major promotion. That detail lends additional credibility to the reported change, suggesting the new name was not assigned at random but chosen as part of a broader presentation reset.
Further supporting the report is recent trademark activity. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, WWE filed to trademark the name “Royce Keys” for wrestling-related purposes. While WWE frequently trademarks names that never end up being used on television, the timing of the filing, paired with Hobbs’ confirmed signing, has fueled widespread belief that the rebrand is already finalized.
Hobbs, whose real name is William Hobson, has wrestled under several names throughout his career, including Will Rood and Will Hobbs. However, it was the Powerhouse Hobbs name that became closely associated with his rise in AEW, where he was presented as a dominant, physically imposing presence on national television. A name change in WWE would mark a clear departure from that established identity, signaling a fresh start rather than a direct continuation of his previous persona.
Dave Meltzer also addressed Hobbs’ move in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, framing the timing as critical for the former AEW standout.
“With his age, this was the time to make the move and generally, but not always, making the move either way gives you a fresh coat of paint and a jump start because the new company always wants to prove it can make you a bigger star than the old company did,” Meltzer wrote.
At 35 years old, Hobbs enters WWE at a point where presentation and momentum will be key. A new ring name, combined with WWE’s platform and creative direction, could provide exactly that reset. While there is still no official word on whether he will debut on RAW, SmackDown, or NXT, the groundwork for his arrival appears to be firmly in place.
As previously reported by WrestlingAttitude.Com, Hobbs is expected to be around Royal Rumble weekend, making the coming weeks pivotal in establishing how WWE plans to position Royce Keys from day one.
Powerhouse Hobbs New WWE Name Revealed
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