Royce Keys has been ruled out of action indefinitely following the attack he suffered at the hands of Jacob Fatu on last week’s WWE Raw.
Michael Cole provided an update on Royce Keys during Monday’s episode, announcing that the 41-year-old had suffered a bruised larynx and cervical strain following his brutal Street Fight against Jacob Fatu.
Keys and Fatu battled in the main event of last week’s Raw, with the latter picking up the victory before continuing his assault after the match.
Fatu placed a steel chair around Keys and connected with a hip attack before the former AEW star was eventually stretchered out of the arena after Raw went off the air. WWE later released footage of Keys being taken away on its YouTube channel.
Despite WWE announcing that Keys will be sidelined indefinitely, there does not appear to be any legitimate injury concern surrounding him.
Dave Meltzer reported in last week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that the post-match attack was simply an angle and “not an injury cover angle.”
It therefore appears that Keys’ bruised larynx and cervical strain are storyline injuries designed to explain his absence from WWE television.
Royce Keys Has Established Himself On WWE’s Main Roster Since His Royal Rumble Debut
Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, signed with WWE in January following his departure from AEW. He made his first appearance for the company as a surprise entrant in the Men’s Royal Rumble before making his television debut on SmackDown more than two months later.
The former AEW TNT Champion has since established himself on WWE’s main roster and was involved in a major programme with Jacob Fatu heading into SummerSlam.
Two days before their Street Fight on Raw, Keys teamed with LA Knight and Solo Sikoa against Fatu and The Usos at SummerSlam Saturday.
Keys, Knight and Sikoa emerged victorious from the six-man tag team match before Fatu gained a measure of revenge by defeating Keys on Raw and subsequently taking him out of action.
WWE has not announced when Keys is expected to return.
