After a notable tenure in AEW from 2020 to early 2026, Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, made a surprising entrance at WWE’s Royal Rumble event held on January 31, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His WWE Royal Rumble debut generated considerable excitement, but soon after, Keys mysteriously vanished from WWE’s televised shows, leaving fans and insiders uncertain about his future on screen.
Active Behind the Scenes Despite Television Absence
Although Keys has remained off WWE’s main broadcasts since his entrance, he has stayed active by competing in multiple dark matches at Friday Night SmackDown events. Since January, he secured victories over Nathan Frazer, Chris Sabin, and Alex Shelley during these non-televised contests. Despite his backstage presence and these wins, WWE has yet to feature Keys on programs such as Raw, SmackDown, or NXT, generating speculation about the company’s intentions.
According to a recent Q&A session from wrestling insider WrestleVotes, the Stamford-based WWE currently has no immediate creative direction planned for the 41-year-old performer. Keys’ last recorded match took place on February 27 in a dark match against Alex Shelley, and no announcements have indicated an upcoming televised return.
Keys Shares His Aspirations Beyond Wrestling
In a candid interview on Stephanie McMahon’s podcast, What’s Your Story?, Royce Keys discussed his ambitions following his WWE debut. He expressed excitement about his current journey while outlining his long-term goals within the company, including contributions outside the ring.
“To think that I’m making my dreams come true. I tell people I’m not satisfied with this. It’s a great introduction, I love it. But I plan on rewriting things, being here until I say, ‘You know what, I think I want to step away.’ I want to help this company in a different way, whether that’s backstage or whatever. I have goals and plans that I’ve written out,”
Keys said.
What Lies Ahead for Royce Keys in WWE
Despite winning matches in the background, Royce Keys’ uncertain presence on WWE television raises questions about how his character will develop. His debut at the Royal Rumble demonstrated potential that WWE has yet to capitalize on in main programming. As the company assesses storyline directions, Keys’ candid remarks hint that his vision extends beyond active wrestling and may involve contributing creatively behind the scenes.
Fans and industry watchers will be closely monitoring forthcoming WWE events to see when Keys might resurface on televised shows, especially given the positive buzz surrounding his initial Royal Rumble appearance and strong performances in dark matches. The next steps could define whether he becomes a lasting figure within WWE or explores other roles within the wrestling world.
