Chris Jericho may be joined by another former AEW star at the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble, according to recent speculation. During his Notsam Wrestling podcast, WWE analyst Sam Roberts predicted that both Jericho and Will Hobbs could make appearances in the 2026 Royal Rumble matches, sharing his insights on possible winners and surprise entrants. Roberts expects Bron Breakker and Liv Morgan to triumph in the men’s and women’s over-the-top-rope elimination bouts, respectively.
I think in terms of possibilities and rumors, I think you could be looking at a Chris Jericho return possibly. Maybe I think you could be looking at a Will Hobbs Royal Rumble debut. There’s a big part of me that thinks that Will Hobbs is gonna end up straight on the main roster if he is indeed signed to WWE, as rumors would suggest.
Sam Roberts, WWE Analyst
Current Status of Jericho and Hobbs Ahead of the Event
Although Chris Jericho remains listed on AEW’s official roster, he has not appeared on AEW shows since losing the ROH World Championship to Bandido about nine months ago, fueling speculation about his WWE future. Will Hobbs, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs and a former TNT Champion, reportedly signed with WWE after completing his last AEW contract match on Collision last week. During that match, Hobbs teamed with Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata but lost their trios titles to Hangman Page and JetSpeed.
According to Fightful Select, Hobbs was expected to travel to Saudi Arabia this week but did not join the rest of WWE’s RAW roster on the trip. Reports suggest that his WWE debut may come under a new ring name, Royce Keyes, signaling WWE’s plans to introduce him fresh to their audience.
Implications for WWE and Fan Expectations
The possible inclusion of Chris Jericho and Will Hobbs at the WWE Royal Rumble has generated both excitement and suspense among wrestling fans, as it hints at significant roster changes and potential storylines for WWE’s next season. With Jericho’s absence from AEW programming and Hobbs’ transition underway, their appearances could mark important moments in WWE’s talent strategy. Fans will be watching closely as the Royal Rumble approaches, anticipating how these former AEW talents will be integrated into WWE’s events and rivalries.
