Royce Keys, known as Powerhouse Hobbs during his AEW career, made a striking debut in WWE at the men’s Royal Rumble match last Saturday. After concluding his time with AEW last month, Keys officially signed with WWE, marking a significant new chapter highlighted by his unexpected entry in one of the company’s signature events.
WWE provided fans with an inside look at Keys’ debut through a behind-the-scenes video, capturing moments leading up to the match, including his reactions and exchanges with fellow wrestlers Cody Rhodes and Paul “Triple H” Levesque.
Emotional Reflections Before Stepping Into the Ring
Before the match, Keys was visibly overwhelmed by the grandeur of the Royal Rumble setup. Taking in the scene, he expressed deep admiration for the iconic moment and the scale of the event.
This is wild. This is like something out of a movie, man,
Hobbs said while absorbing the atmosphere.
This whole setup. Walking down this aisle and into the ring and background. It’s pretty amazing, man. I’m getting goosebumps under this sweatshirt. It’s crazy. It feels real. Looking at the ring, the seats, the stage setup — it’s real. Never thought I would be part of something this big. This is huge. Leading to the Grandaddy of Them All, you know? WrestleMania. This starts tonight.
Reunion with Cody Rhodes Brings Personal Connection
Backstage, Keys encountered Cody Rhodes, another talent who recently transitioned from AEW to WWE. The meeting held special significance for Keys, who openly spoke about the impact Rhodes has had on his life during difficult times.
He’s probably going to get mad, but this dude doesn’t know how special he is to me. Thank you for everything. That dude’s been there for me, like, toughest time of my life when my mom passed away. But if I gotta kick his ass, then I gotta kick his ass [laughs]. This is special, man. It’s just like, seeing familiar faces. It’s real. You know, I’m home, I’m moved in. So it’s time to collect.
Encouragement from Paul “Triple H” Levesque Before Entering the Match
Prior to his Royal Rumble entrance, Keys shared a brief yet motivating interaction with WWE executive and veteran wrestler Paul “Triple H” Levesque. Levesque offered words of support that helped bolster Hobbs’ confidence as he prepared to compete on WWE’s grand stage.
We’re going to get rolling and get some good sh*t started,
Levesque told Hobbs.
We’ll be in a good place.
Making an Immediate Impact in the Royal Rumble
Entering the Royal Rumble match at number 14, Hobbs quickly established himself as a force by eliminating Damian Priest before eventually being ousted by Bronson Reed. His performance demonstrated a strong start to his WWE tenure and suggested a promising future in the company.
Following the match, Keys boldly declared his ambitions within WWE, making it clear that this debut represents just the beginning of his pursuit for prominence in the wrestling world.
Eliminating a former World Champion. Ah, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here,
Hobbs said confidently.
I’m going to take everything I want. Everything.
What Hobbs’ Arrival Means for WWE and Future Storylines
Powerhouse Hobbs’ transition from AEW to WWE, highlighted by his Royal Rumble debut and reunion with Cody Rhodes, introduces fresh dynamics to WWE’s roster. His candid expressions of gratitude and ambition reveal a wrestler eager to carve out a significant role. With support from influential figures like Triple H and connections to familiar faces such as Rhodes, Hobbs is positioned to make notable contributions leading into WrestleMania and beyond.
The wrestling community will watch closely as Keys aims to translate this strong start into long-term success in WWE’s competitive environment, where the presence of established and emergent talents continues to shape compelling narratives.
