AEW Talent React to Royce Keys’ WWE Royal Rumble Debut – Royce Keys’ surprise appearance at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble did more than introduce him to a new audience. It also sparked immediate reactions from several AEW talents who had shared the locker room with him during his long run in the promotion. While Keys’ WWE debut itself had already been reported, the response from his former colleagues quickly became a story of its own.
Keys, previously known as Powerhouse Hobbs, entered the men’s Royal Rumble match as the 14th entrant. During his brief but notable showing, he eliminated Damian Priest before being taken out of the match following involvement from Bronson Reed and The Vision. The moment marked the official start of his WWE career and closed the door on his time in AEW, where he had been a fixture for several years.
Shortly after the match, social media reactions began to surface. Amanda Huber, the widow of Brodie Lee, was among the first to publicly comment on the moment. She posted an emotional message celebrating Keys’ achievement, writing, “THAT MY BEST FRIEND LETS GOOOOOOO.” Her reaction reflected the personal relationships Hobbs built during his AEW tenure and added an emotional layer to his WWE arrival.
Darius Martin of SkyFlight also acknowledged the debut, along with Wardlow and Kevin Knight. Knight’s reaction stood out due to recent history between the two. On January 14, 2026, Knight defeated Hobbs in what turned out to be his final AEW match. That bout resulted in Knight capturing the AEW World Trios Championship, making the public support following Keys’ WWE debut particularly notable.
Hobbs had been part of AEW since 2020 and remained with the company until early 2026. During that time, he captured multiple championships, including the TNT Championship in 2023 and the AEW World Trios Championship. WWE had reportedly shown interest in signing him for years, and after negotiations following his AEW exit, the 35-year-old officially joined the Stamford-based promotion.
The reactions from AEW talent highlighted the significance of the moment beyond a standard roster change, showing respect and support as Royce Keys began the next phase of his career on WWE’s biggest stage.
AEW Talent React to Royce Keys’ WWE Royal Rumble Debut
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