...
By Fernando Quiles Jr
Contributing Sports Writer
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
As many professional wrestling fans expected, former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs appears to be getting a name change in WWE. Bodyslam reports WWE has filed a trademark for "Royce Keys," which is expected to be Hobbs' new name. At this time, there is no word on whether or not Hobbs will begin his WWE run on the "NXT" brand.
Many argue that Hobbs should start in "NXT" given the number of recent main roster call-ups. There's also the fact that "WrestleMania" season will be in full swing starting with the "Royal Rumble 2026" event. Hobbs isn't likely to be involved in this year's biggest annual WWE show due to the timing of his signing, but the company's push to promote fresh faces might change things.
...
Read More on Wrestling
More News: Steve Austin’s First Opponent, Frogman Leblanc, Dies at 73
Powerhouse Hobbs' AEW Exit
In early January, Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that WWE had expressed interest in signing Hobbs. At the time of the report, Hobbs held AEW trios gold along with Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata of The Opps. During the Jan. 17 episode of "Collision," The Opps lost the AEW World Trios Championship to "Hangman" Adam Page and JetSpeed. Hobbs was pinned by Kevin Knight in what ended up being his final AEW match.
Meltzer recently followed up with a report suggesting that no one in AEW had any negative feelings towards Hobbs for leaving the company. Meltzer also got the impression that Hobbs was offered a bigger deal to jump ship.
More News:
- WWE Targeting David Finlay Once NJPW Contract Expires: Report
- WWE Remains Interested in NJPW’s Knock Out Brothers Despite Offer Decline
- CM Punk’s Status Gets Positive Update Following WWE Raw Bump
For more on WWE content, head to Newsweek Sports.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines