Tag: Royce Keys

WOL: WWE needs to stop with the bait & switch tactics

Posted on by Jim Valley

It’s the Saturday Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Friday’s ROH SuperCard of Honor saw some great performances, a few surprises, returns and sneak attacks which included Swerve Strickland blindsiding Bandito ahead of their Owen Hart tournament match next weekend at AEW Double or Nothing.

Friday’s WWE SmackDown set up Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther at Clash in Italy. Wasn’t Gunther’s deal with Paul Heyman supposed to do that? WWE needs to stop with the bait and switch. I explain why.

Plus, the latest on the NJPW Best of the Super Juniors, Ronda Rousey returning to fighting, and more. Check it out.

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Royce Keys reveals longstanding history with Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Royce Keys unveiled his longstanding history with Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline. 

In an interview with Joey Karni, Keys initially discussed having to live up to expectations in his WWE debut. And the impact of making his first appearance at an event like the Royal Rumble which features notable talents from WWE and the industry. 

“It just meant a lot, just thinking about the names that came before you, living up to expectations. So, and while doing that, you got to create your own path. I did that. I mean, I made an impact in the (Royal) Rumble. It’s in history now. So, now we move forward and progress and take everything I want.”

Keys stated that WWE had already laid out a plan for him to skip NXT and directly work on the main roster after his January debut. He was further asked about potential alliances in WWE to which Keys responded that he has history with Jacob Fatu, and is familiar with The Usos and Solo Sikoa too. 

“Jacob Fatu and I have a history together. I’ve known that family for quite a while. So, The Usos, Solo, I’ve known that family a long time. So, there is some history there.”

Following his WWE debut match in January, Keys competed in dark matches which he later revealed was done on his request. He made his official SmackDown debut on April 10 against Berto.

On the SmackDown before WrestleMania 42, Keys won the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.

Seven WWE stars who deserve a major push | Opinion 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

WWE WrestleMania 42 crowned new champions while also setting directions for future storytelling. 

The Raw after Mania saw three new members added to the main roster in Sol Ruca, Ethan Page and Joe Hendry. While the first two competed in their first matches on the brand to showcase their skills, Hendry debuted on Raw live tonight with a live concert.

However, several other talents from the current roster could emerge as the new faces of the company this year if booked effectively. 

Royce Keys

Keys made his SmackDown debut on April 10 against Berto, whom he defeated within minutes. Prior to this, he was competing in dark matches which he later revealed was intentional to familiarize himself with both his new home and new audiences. 

He won the Andre the Giant memorial battle royal on SmackDown before WrestleMania. It’s barely the tip of the iceberg for Keys’ WWE run and with WrestleMania 42 behind them, the page has officially turned over for new talents to make their mark. 

Despite competing in just three matches so far, Keys has the potential to transition from promising newcomer in WWE to top card contender. A gradual boost and development over random surges of top tier matches could help establish him as a dominant force on the roster. 

Je’Von Evans

Evans is already a fan favorite for his energetic approach and in-ring agility. 

During his short time on NXT, Evans faced Randy Orton which displayed his readiness for the main roster, and that also displayed the faith WWE officials in his run.

Evans was officially added to Raw in January and has since competed in marquee matches featuring top names of the industry. He also made his WrestleMania debut competing in the ladder match for the Intercontinental Title.

Carmelo Hayes

Hayes gained fans’ sympathy after losing the United States title in an abrupt manner to Sami Zayn barely a couple of weeks before WrestleMania 42 — a show Hayes didn’t wrestle at. While he seemed to be fairing well, the rushed title loss established himself as champion. The lack of prolonged payoff left fans feeling the title reign was cut short before it could fully develop. 

Regardless of the setback, Hayes has received support from the WWE fanbase. A natural direction to solidify the buzz around him would be to put him against his former NXT ally/foe Trick Williams for the title.

If handled correctly, Williams vs. Hayes on the main roster could evolve into a top tier WWE rivalry in the long run. 

Jordynne Grace

Grace built a rapport with fans when she debuted at the 2024 Royal Rumble while holding the TNA Knockouts Championship at the time.

Earlier this year, she was one of the many stars officially called up to SmackDown. She was briefly in pursuit of the WWE Women’s Championship, feuding with Jade Cargill. It didn’t turn out to be much though as Cargill was already in the plans to face Rhea Ripley at WrestleMania. 

With more consistent exposure and some big wins, Grace could both be positioned as a strong contender and emerge as a top name in the women’s division. 

Finn Balor

Balor’s grit as a competitor was overshadowed by the Judgment Day, but his exit from the group gives him more leeway to prove himself as a strong World title contender again. He already brought back his former entrance theme, The Demon, and his signature look from a decade ago.

Despite losing two World Heavyweight Championship matches to CM Punk, Balor’s resume still remains strong to regain his glory days from nearly a decade ago. 

Also, given how WWE has been riding the nostalgia wave with returns and reviving gimmicks, Balor’s push once again to the top of the roster feels like a natural move, especially considering he was the inaugural Universal Champion at SummerSlam 2016. 

Giulia

Giulia walked into WWE with an extensive career in Stardom and NJPW. However, that momentum was diminished shortly after her main roster move.

She competed in NXT for a year, won the Women’s title, and was also the winner of the Iron Survivor Challenge in 2024. With this groundwork, her main roster transition made sense, but the results haven’t been what even she would probably say she expected.

She has already proven her versatility to stand out on the main roster, so with proper booking and long-term presentation, Giulia could be demonstrated as a dominant opponent in the women’s division. 

Tama Tonga

Last month, Tonga expressed displeasure at Solo Sikoa stealing Uncle Howdy’s lantern amid The MFTs feud with Wyatt Sicks. He has continued to question Sikoa’s leadership on a few occasions and the latter’s patience seems to be wearing thin.

Tonga debuted in WWE in April 2024, attacking Jimmy Uso to secure an alliance with Sikoa. 

He has the capacity to be a strong contender on his own and an exit from the faction could make for deeper storytelling, a developed character arc, and targeting the U.S. Title to kick off a singles run. 

Royce Keys wins 2026 Andre the Giant battle royal on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Josh Nason

One year and a day after winning the AEW Trios titles, Royce Keys won his first-ever Andre the Giant memorial battle royal on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.

The last two men were Talla Tonga and Keys with Tonga trying to end it with a chokeslam. Keys countered with a spinebuster and then clotheslined Tonga over the top rope for the win. Keys then posed with the Andre trophy outside the ring.

Our Bryan Alvarez noted there are “big long-term plans” for Keys following the win.

The 41-year-old made his WWE debut at this past January’s Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia after five+ years in AEW. He wrestled nine dark matches after that, finally making his TV debut on last Friday’s SmackDown in a three minute win over Berto.

The battle royal to honor the WWE legend began in 2014 with Friday’s being the 14th edition. At one point held on the WrestleMania card itself, it transitioned to the SmackDown episode before it starting in 2021.

Royce Keys explains why he worked dark matches after WWE debut

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Working dark matches helped Royce Keys get acclimated to WWE after his Royal Rumble debut.

Between the Rumble and his SmackDown arrival, the former Powerhouse Hobbs wrestled several weeks of dark matches. Keys, while being interviewed by Sam Roberts on SiriusXM, noted that it was actually his idea to have those matches while he was waiting for his official TV debut. He pitched the idea to Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who agreed to it.

Keys said it did get under his skin that fans online were negative about his several-week absence from TV after the Rumble. People backstage reassured Keys that he should not let it bother him.

“It got under my skin for a hot second, and I had Hunter, I had Bobby Roode, and I had Cody, Randy, I have a lot of people tell me, ‘Don’t let that sh*t bother you, because they don’t know what you’re doing.’ It got out there that I did some dark matches,” Keys said. ‘But I asked Hunter and he agreed, if I could do these darks. Like, who wouldn’t want to wrestle in front of a live crowd, open up the show, get everybody ready, you know, get it going in two different cities a week. I did Raw and SmackDown every week until my debut.”

Keys said that, by the time he defeated Berto in his SmackDown debut last Friday, wrestling in WWE felt as comfortable as tying his shoes.

“I’m with it. I’m with the grind, I’ve been grinding my whole life,” Keys said. “I was totally comfortable Friday, the debut. I was comfortable. I was with it. Just like getting up, putting on your shoes, tying your shoes. Like, I was comfortable doing it.”

To help introduce Keys to the audience, WWE produced a video with Keys discussing the adversity he’s overcome in life. It took a lot for Keys to open up, but he feels like he was built for this and wants to do anything he can to help inspire others.

Mark Henry on Royce Keys’ WWE debut: ‘He’s going to be a good one’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

After months of absence following his Royal Rumble debut, Royce Keys has finally made his WWE SmackDown debut.

On Friday, during the April 10th edition of SmackDown, Royce Keys made his WWE television debut in a dominant win over Berto.

Speaking on Busted Open, WWE legend Mark Henry opened up on Royce Keys’ SmackDown debut. And, while Henry heaped praise on Keys, he also pointed out a few “mistakes.”

“I enjoyed the Royce Keys segments. With the match, he stayed within himself; he stayed powerful. He made some mistakes in the sense that, if you’re going to hit somebody with something, follow it up with something.

Don’t get caught up in the crowd, wanting to wave at your friends in the front row and all of that, because you kicked him in the a**. He hasn’t had a problem with mentorship; There’s a few guys that I know are in his ear that I’ve watched talk to him. He’s going to be a good one, I can see it already.”

Later, in a backstage segment, Solo Sikoa offered his help to Keys, claiming that the door is always open for him.

Hoping to see Keys remain a solo act, Henry added, “I don’t think that Royce Keys should focus his attention on joining a clique, I think that he should try to be his own man right now. But when you’re your own man, you rub people that want you to be muscle for them the wrong way.”

Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, was once heavily rumored to team up with Jelly Roll at WWE WrestleMania 42. However, with just days left for the PLE, current storylines do not suggest so.

Royce Keys finally set to make WWE SmackDown debut

Posted on by Joseph Currier

More than two months after his Royal Rumble debut, Royce Keys is finally set to arrive on WWE SmackDown.

WWE has announced that Keys will make his SmackDown debut this Friday night. He’s worked several dark matches since the Rumble, but this will be Keys’ first televised appearance since then. The show is being held in San Jose, California — near where Hobbs grew up in East Palo Alto.

To promote his SmackDown debut, WWE produced a video package on Keys, the adversity he’s overcome in his life, and how the support of his grandparents and love of professional wrestling helped get him to where he is today.

“Not a lot of people can make it out of here,” Keys said about East Palo Alto. “I just want to do my part. This is all I ever wanted to do, this is all I know, this is what brings me peace, this is what motivates me. This is it. I refuse to be defined by where I’m from, but instead by where I’m going.”

The former Powerhouse Hobbs wrapped up his six-year AEW run this January and signed with WWE shortly after. Following his Rumble debut, he appeared on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast for an interview where he discussed his life story and WWE goals, which include winning championship gold and eventually working for the company behind the scenes.

Keys eliminated Damian Priest from the Rumble and it appeared that WWE could be setting up a program between them, though it’s unknown if the company will still end up going in that direction.

Friday’s SmackDown is the second-to-last episode of the show before WrestleMania 42. Here is the updated preview:

WWE SmackDown (Friday, April 10) —

  • How will Cody Rhodes respond to Pat McAfee?
  • Pat McAfee has some things to say
  • Drew McIntyre promises to expose the real Jacob Fatu
  • Sami Zayn is out for payback on Trick Williams
  • Royce Keys debuts

Update on potential Jelly Roll WWE WrestleMania 42 match

Posted on by Joseph Currier

If Jelly Roll competes at WrestleMania 42, it doesn’t sound like it will be in a tag team match with Royce Keys.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that, after asking about rumors of Jelly Roll and Keys teaming together at Mania, he was told that it will not be happening. It’s not officially confirmed that Jelly Roll will be wrestling at the event, but Meltzer expects him to given what went down on SmackDown last week.

“I kind of wonder where they’re going with Jelly Roll,” Meltzer said. “It just feels to me they’re going to build to some gimmick match with Kit Wilson, maybe a tag with The Miz because The Miz has been involved in the storyline. They could do that. I had asked about the story because there was a story about Royce Keys, and I was told that it’s not Royce Keys, for whatever that’s worth. I wasn’t actually told that there is a match [for Jelly Roll], but when you look at it, it certainly seems like they’re building it.”

Last Friday’s SmackDown saw Jelly Roll return to WWE programming and interact with Miz and Wilson. The Miz TV segment ended with Jelly Roll inadvertently dropping Miz with a punch after Wilson moved out of the way.

A music superstar with an inspirational life story, Jelly Roll is a big WWE fan and has wrestled one match for the company so far, teaming with Randy Orton in a loss to Logan Paul & Drew McIntyre at SummerSlam 2025. He received significant internal praise within WWE for how hard he worked to prepare for that match but still came out of it thinking of all the things he could have done better.

The Jelly Roll-Wilson storyline will continue on SmackDown this week with Wilson calling Jelly Roll out.

Report: WWE was ‘adamant’ about Royce Keys being on main roster

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

It doesn’t sound like there was ever any chance of Royce Keys being sent to NXT upon joining WWE.

A new Fightful Select report states that WWE was “adamant” on Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, being positioned on the main roster directly without an NXT run. This decision was one WWE made “very early” in its talks with Keys about signing with the company.

Typically most wrestlers, even those who already have extensive experience, spend some time in NXT before arriving on the main roster. However, there have been some exceptions like Jade Cargill, Penta, Dominik Mysterio, and more who were placed on the main roster instead of going to NXT.

Before arriving in WWE, Keys had a nearly six-year stint with AEW and was a Trios Champion as part of The Opps. He debuted at the Royal Rumble but has not made a televised Raw or SmackDown appearance since, instead competing in dark matches against the likes of Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Rey Fenix, and Nathan Frazer over the past two months.

Keys also made an appearance on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast following his WWE debut. Whether he’ll be involved in WrestleMania 42 remains to be seen, though BodySlam+ reports that WWE has considered the possibility of him teaming with country music star Jelly Roll at the event.

Royce Keys shares how Cody Rhodes, CM Punk helped him after death of mother

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Cody Rhodes and CM Punk helped Royce Keys get through a difficult time when his mother passed away in 2021.

All three of Rhodes, Punk, and Keys were with AEW at the time Keys’ mother passed away five years ago. On a new episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, the former Powerhouse Hobbs detailed how he reached out to Rhodes when his mother was sick. Though Rhodes’ daughter had just been born, he dropped everything to check on Keys.

“I remember getting on the phone and I called Cody Rhodes to tell him, like, I don’t know what to do. I just got off the phone with my sister, my dad, my mom’s sister, my auntie Joy. And she went straight up to the hospital. And it’s just like, I guess maybe Cody thought I was talking about wrestling because I always bug him with wrestling,” Keys said. “And I’m like, ‘No, my mom is sick.’ He immediately dropped everything and called me. Like, he called me, he checked on me. I believe his daughter might have been a month old, and he still called me.”

Keys worked a match against Punk on AEW Rampage shortly after his mother’s death. Punk made sure to dedicate the moment to his mother and let Keys know that her presence was still there, even if she couldn’t be in the building physically.

“And I remember having a match with CM Punk a month after my mom died,” Keys said. “And he goes, ‘None of this sh*t matters. Your mom’s sitting front row there tonight.’ And after the match he pins me and he taps me on the chest. And, you know, my mom’s nickname was Nita. And he goes, ‘This was for Nita.’ And I just lost it.”

Keys has been through a lot of tragedy in his life, but he’s grateful to have been surrounded by love throughout it all. He’s also grateful to be raising amazing children, including his son Royce who his WWE name is inspired by.

In the environment Keys grew up in, being open about your struggles wasn’t encouraged. But he hopes that he can help other people by sharing his story. Keys also hopes that his deceased loved ones are proud of him for what he’s accomplished in wrestling.

“Everything that’s happened to me, whether it’s just like being shot, losing my mother, you know, I’ve had guns pulled on me, knives, like guns jam up in my face where I shouldn’t be here. All that has shaped me to be here,” Keys said. “And I think to myself, like, there’s somebody out there in this big world that if I tell them my story, it could help them.”

Keys spent nearly six years with AEW before arriving in WWE last month as an entrant in the 2026 Royal Rumble. His goal is to make his mark on WWE and become a Hall of Famer.

Royce Keys details his WWE goals

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Royce Keys has ambitious goals now that he’s arrived in WWE.

The former Powerhouse Hobbs made his WWE debut in the 2026 Royal Rumble. Being part of WWE is a dream come true for Keys, and he intends to make his mark in the company. Becoming a WWE Hall of Famer is his ultimate goal.

“I got so many goals I want to do here,” Keys said during an interview on Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast. “I want to become a champion. I want to become a legend. I want to be in the Hall of Fame. I want to be remembered as one of the most dominant and feared competitors. Like, what I’ve dreamed of.

“And the moment I had talks about coming here and signing here, like, this isn’t a one-off. This isn’t me, like, ‘Hey, I’m a WWE Superstar now. Let me gloat.’ And no, I still have to work. It took me years to get here. Like, this ain’t — I mean, yeah, okay, honeymoon phase is over. Let’s get with it. Let’s do work. I got people that depend on me. I got people that I can’t let down. I got people I take care of. So if I fail, they don’t eat. And I’m not about to have that on my conscience and shoulders. There’s no excuse.”

Keys said his introduction at the Royal Rumble was bigger than he ever could have imagined. But he knows that he still has plenty more left to do. He plans on staying with WWE through the end of his in-ring career and then potentially shifting to a backstage role.

“I’m not satisfied with this. I love it, it’s a great introduction,” he said. “But I plan on rewriting things and being here until I say, you know what, I think I want to step away. I want to help this company out in a different way, whether it’s backstage or whatever.”

Before joining WWE, Keys spent nearly six years with AEW and was a TNT Champion and Trios Champion for that promotion. We haven’t seen him on Raw or SmackDown since his debut, but Keys defeated Nathan Frazer in a dark match prior to SmackDown last Friday. Damian Priest could make sense as Keys’ first WWE feud given that Keys eliminated him from the Rumble.

Royce Keys wrestles dark match prior to WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Royce Keys has wrestled his first singles match in WWE.

Prior to the start of Friday’s SmackDown, the former Powerhouse Hobbs wrestled in a dark match against Nathan Frazer. It was his first appearance in a WWE ring since last month’s Royal Rumble match where he made his WWE debut.

Keys entered the match at number 14, immediately eliminating Damian Priest. He also briefly squared off against former AEW associate Cody Rhodes, with commentary alluding to their past. After some time, he was eventually eliminated by members of The Vision.

In a vlog, Keys commented on his impending debut.

“This is wild. This is like something out of a movie, man. 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,” he said.

Fightful Select reported this week that Keys was at WWE World Headquarters in Stanford, Connecticut to tape an episode of What’s Your Story with Stephanie McMahon.

Jim Ross comments on Royce Keys’ WWE Royal Rumble debut

Posted on by Ian Carey

Jim Ross offered his thoughts on the WWE Royal Rumble during the latest episode of his Grilling JR podcast.

Ross was asked about former Powerhouse Hobbs making his WWE debut as Royce Keys in the match, and responded:

“Well, it was quick. Look, it’s good for his career. You got to move on and stay fresh and put a new coat of paint on it every now and then. And I think that’s basically what he did. He looked great.”

“His ring attire was spiffy. That’s a dated reference,” Ross added.

“He’s a big, strong son of a gun. A lot of character. He’s got integrity. I think the world of him. I wish him nothing but the very best. I gravitated to him early on in his AEW run. And I’m glad that we got a chance to work with him. He’s a hell of a good guy. He’ll be a credit to the locker room without question.”

Keys lasted just under 10 minutes in the match after entering at number 14. He eliminated Damian Priest before being eliminated by Bronson Reed.

Ross was also asked about Chris Jericho not returning to WWE in the match, saying he was surprised it didn’t happen.

“I haven’t talked to Chris in a good while, but I thought it was a lead-pipe cinch that he would be a participant in the match but I was wrong,” Ross said.

When co-host Conrad Thompson suggested that we could learn more regarding Jericho’s future by WrestleMania, Ross responded:

“Maybe that’s what he’s saving it for, is WrestleMania. I don’t know, but whatever it is they’ve been very tight-lipped on it.”

The latest episode of Grilling JR with Jim Ross and Conrad Thompson is available below.

Fight Game: A look at the top AEW & WWE programs

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and Garrett Gonzales return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most interesting topics in pro wrestling.

They gave out their thumbs up and thumbs down before focusing on the major stories of the week, including the top main event programs in both AEW and WWE like the build to WrestleMania 42 as well as AEW’s build to both Grand Slam Australia and Revolution.

We also looked at the wrestling debuts of Tommaso Ciampa in AEW and Royce Keys in WWE.

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Royce Keys: Never thought I’d be part of something as big as WWE Royal Rumble

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Debuting for WWE in the Royal Rumble was a dream come true for the former Powerhouse Hobbs.

Now known as Royce Keys, Hobbs arrived in WWE as a surprise entrant in the men’s Royal Rumble match last Saturday. He signed with WWE after finishing up with AEW last month, ending a nearly six-year run that included TNT and Trios Championship reigns.

WWE uploaded a behind-the-scenes video today documenting Hobbs’ debut. It includes comments from him before the match, along with interactions he had with Cody Rhodes and Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

“This is wild. This is like something out of a movie, man,” Hobbs said while taking a look at the Rumble stage. “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.”

Hobbs then caught up with another former AEW wrestler in Cody Rhodes — and Hobbs took a moment to explain how much Rhodes means to him.

“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.”

WWE included brief footage of the talk Hobbs had with Levesque before the Rumble. Hobbs said Levesque helped ease his nerves by telling him that he was in WWE for a reason.

“We’re going to get rolling and get some good sh*t started,” Levesque told Hobbs. “We’ll be in a good place.”

Hobbs entered the Rumble at number 14 and eliminated Damian Priest during his time in the match. It was Bronson Reed who ended up eliminating Hobbs from the match.

“Eliminating a former World Champion. Ah, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here, I’m here,” Hobbs said after competing. “I’m going to take everything I want. Everything.”