After debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble, Royce Keys—formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs—now has his first official WWE home.
According to Bodyslam.net, Keys was backstage at Monday’s WWE Raw, but he won’t be staying there. Sources told the outlet that Royce Keys is expected to be part of the SmackDown roster moving forward, officially assigning the former AEW star to WWE’s blue brand.
This finally settles the question that’s followed Keys since his surprise Rumble appearance. Entering the match at No. 14, the broadcast teased his former ring name “Powerhouse Hobbs” before switching to the new Royce Keys moniker—marking a dramatic rebrand in front of a global audience in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Keys kept his first public reaction subtle, posting a single photo of his entrance with the caption: “Aight then.” It was all the confirmation fans needed—he’d arrived.
Behind the scenes, AEW reportedly tried hard to retain him, but Keys turned down a strong offer and reached out to Jim Ross ahead of his WWE debut, hinting that this move was both calculated and personal.
With his SmackDown destination now confirmed, the next question is simple: what role will Royce Keys play on Friday nights? Whether as a wrecking force or a breakout star with something to prove, one thing’s certain—he didn’t come to play second fiddle.
Do you think Royce Keys is a good fit for SmackDown? What rivalries do you want to see him jump into first? Drop your takes in the comments.
