Felix Upton on January 26, 2026
The speculation around Powerhouse Hobbs’ WWE identity is no longer just talk—WWE has made it official.
According to recent filings, WWE submitted a trademark application for the name “Royce Keys” on January 20, 2026, confirming plans for Hobbs’ rebrand ahead of his expected debut. As of this writing the filing is still pending, but the full filing covers a wide range of entertainment and merchandising categories, including:
“Entertainment services, namely, wrestling exhibitions and performances by a professional wrestler and entertainer… providing wrestling news and information… organizing social entertainment events… providing online newsletters… and blogs in the field of sports entertainment.”
This legal move backs up what WrestleVotes revealed during a January 26 Q&A, when they stated Hobbs would be using the name Royce Keys moving forward. They also noted a possible personal touch behind the alias:
“It’s Royce Keys, which I have heard—Royce Keys will be the name of Powerhouse Hobbs moving forward. Someone told me that Royce is his son’s name.”
Hobbs officially signed with WWE earlier this month after turning down an offer to stay in AEW. His last AEW appearance aired on the January 17 episode of Collision: Maximum Carnage, although his contract expired two days earlier.
With WWE’s Royal Rumble Premium Live Event set for January 31 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, there’s tons of speculation that Royce Keys could make a surprise debut during the men’s Royal Rumble match, so fans are waiting to see whether that happens in the end.
Do you like the name “Royce Keys,” or should WWE have kept the Powerhouse persona? Sound off in the comments.
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