While the All Elite Wrestling roster has grown significantly in 2026 through the signings of Tommaso Ciampa, Jake Doyle, and The Rascalz, one man who is not any longer in AEW is Powerhouse Hobbs. Now generally known as Royce Keys in WWE, Hobbs left AEW after his contract expired in January to leap to WWE, where he has since competed within the annual Royal Rumble match in Saudi Arabia. AEW President Tony Khan was asked in regards to the former AEW TNT and World Trios Champion during a recent interview with Josh Martinez, with Khan wishing Hobbs nothing but the very best for his future.
“I feel Powerhouse Hobbs had an important run here in AEW. He began wrestling here in Jacksonville where I’m now, and had some great matches and have become a champion in AEW. We were just talking in regards to 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 at all times wish him all the very best.”
It was very clear that Khan desired to keep Hobbs in AEW by the sum of money he was reportedly offered to sign a brand new contract, which was meant to be according to what top stars like Chris Jericho were making in AEW through the company’s first yr. Nevertheless, Hobbs opted to check out something different and make the switch. As for where he’ll find yourself in WWE, Hobbs has yet to make an appearance on either “WWE Raw” or “WWE SmackDown” since his Royal Rumble debut, though he was backstage on the February 2 episode of “Raw,” and is slated to be a part of the “SmackDown” roster on the road to WrestleMania 42.
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