Powerhouse Hobbs, now known as Royce Keys in WWE, left All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in January 2026 after his contract expired, choosing to join WWE where he made his debut in the annual Royal Rumble event held in Saudi Arabia. His departure came amid AEW’s expansion, which included new signings such as Tommaso Ciampa, Jake Doyle, and The Rascalz. AEW President Tony Khan recently reflected on Hobbs’ tenure during an interview with Josh Martinez, expressing his sincere well-wishes for Hobbs’ future career endeavors.
Tony Khan Reflects on Hobbs’ AEW Tenure
Tony Khan praised Hobbs’ contributions to AEW, highlighting his start in Jacksonville and rise to championship status. Hobbs held both the AEW TNT Championship and the World Trios Championship during his run, impressing fans and management alike with his performances. Khan shared his respect for Hobbs’ achievements and wished him continued success going forward.
I think Powerhouse Hobbs had a great run here in AEW. He started wrestling here in Jacksonville where I am now, and had some great matches and became a champion in AEW. We were just talking about the TNT Champion, he’s a former TNT Champion, a former World Trios Champion. He was absolutely incredible in his run here and I’ll always wish him all the best.
?Tony Khan, AEW President
The Contract Offer and Hobbs’ Decision to Transition
Despite Tony Khan reportedly offering Hobbs a contract that matched the pay scale of top AEW stars like Chris Jericho from the company’s early years, Hobbs chose a new path by moving to WWE. This decision reflects his interest in exploring different opportunities within professional wrestling. As of now, Hobbs has not appeared on WWE Raw or WWE SmackDown programming following his Royal Rumble entrance, though he was seen backstage at the February 2 episode of Raw and is expected to feature on the SmackDown roster heading into WrestleMania 42.
Looking Ahead: Hobbs’ New Role in WWE
Powerhouse Hobbs’ transition to WWE marks a significant step in his wrestling career, with fans and industry insiders eager to see how he will be showcased on one of WWE’s main shows. His debut at the Royal Rumble signals WWE’s interest in integrating him as a prominent talent, especially given his championship background and fan following from AEW and beyond. The coming months will be critical as Hobbs adapts to his new environment and prepares for major WWE events like WrestleMania 42. Tony Khan’s supportive remarks also underscore the respect Hobbs earned during his AEW tenure, highlighting the impact he made in the wrestling community.
