Steve Carrier on January 30, 2026
The Royal Rumble might have a powerhouse surprise waiting in the wings.
According to Fightful Select, former AEW star Powerhouse Hobbs has officially signed with WWE—and all signs point to a possible debut this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
“Hobbs is supposed to be Saudi bound,” the report states, fueling speculation that he could be one of the surprise entrants in the Men’s Royal Rumble match. While there’s no confirmation he’ll be in the match, WWE sources did confirm Hobbs was scheduled to travel this week. Interestingly, he did not fly over with the main roster group following Monday Night Raw, and he hasn’t been spotted publicly at the event site yet.
Still, WWE sources remain tight-lipped—and that only adds to the mystery.
Before his exit, Hobbs received a strong renewal offer from AEW. One source confirmed it was “as big as indicated by Wrestling Observer,” and that he was “highly sought out for renewal.” Despite that, Hobbs opted to walk—and his decision has been met with excitement from WWE stars who’ve worked with him or followed his rise.
As for what name he’ll use in WWE, Hobbs is expected to debut under a new identity. The working name right now is Royce Keyes, though that could still change before he steps into the ring.
Whether he appears on-screen this weekend or WWE holds off, all eyes are on the Rumble stage. If “Royce Keyes” shows up, he won’t just be a surprise entrant—he’ll be making a statement.
Do you want to see Powerhouse Hobbs enter the Royal Rumble as Royce Keyes? Or should WWE wait to pull the trigger? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let us know.
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