The 2026 Royal Rumble delivered its usual chaos and surprises, but when Royce Keys, formerly Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, entered at number 14, the biggest reaction may not have come from the crowd in Riyadh, but from backstage.
As he made his entrance, WWE initially displayed the name Powerhouse Hobbs on screen before quickly switching it to his new WWE ring name, Royce Keys. The mid-entrance rebrand was eye-catching and immediately sparked discussion among staff behind the scenes.
According to Fightful Select, the overall response to Keys’ debut was positive, though there was some confusion over the brief use of his former name.
“We heard very positive things about the debut of Royce Keys and his reaction backstage, and his overall introduction to many on the WWE staff,” the report stated. “There were some confused as to how WWE could use Powerhouse Hobbs, as the Powerhouse name originated in AEW.”
The on-screen tease of his AEW identity, followed by the rapid switch to Royce Keys, reportedly caught some off guard, particularly those who were not aware of how the presentation would be handled.
Who Knew About Royce Keys’ Royal Rumble Debut Beforehand?
What is clear is that Hobbs’ move to WWE was a significant one. He is said to have turned down a major offer from AEW before making the jump, and also contacted Jim Ross ahead of the Royal Rumble to make it known he was ready for the next phase of his career.
Early indications suggest that Royce Keys has already made an impression within WWE, and the backstage reaction points to the company having high expectations for his future.
