Royce Keys is finally getting his chance to show WWE fans what he’s all about, and it turns out the company actually approached him about the direction that’s helped him find his footing. The 946 member revealed that WWE asked how he felt about taking his character in a different direction, and he didn’t need much convincing.
Speaking on The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show, Keys explained that things weren’t always clicking for him. About six months earlier, he had reached out because he felt like he wasn’t connecting with the audience the way he wanted to. However, he was told that the problem wasn’t necessarily him—fans just hadn’t gotten a proper chance to see his personality.
That conversation changed how Keys approached his performances. Rather than trying to figure out what fans wanted to see, he decided he’d be better off showing them who he really was, even if that meant leaning into his naturally intimidating appearance.
“And after that conversation, I’m like, man, the opportunity comes, I just got to be myself. And, you know, I’m not the most cutest person in the world. You know, I always got, like, this resting b**** face. It’s a snarl.”
Keys joked that he doesn’t exactly have the friendliest expression, but that’s something he’s learned to use to his advantage. He explained that people sometimes move out of his way when they see him coming, so bringing that same energy to WWE television felt pretty natural.
“You know, it’s a snarl. You know what I’m saying? So, man, it’s one of them things. Like, I notice when I walk, people, like, do this or, you know, kind of get out the way. And I’m like, I do that on, you know, weekly on TV. Man, this—it’s terrible.”
The conversation then turned to how Keys ended up in his current position. When asked whether there had been a specific discussion about his direction, he confirmed that WWE had approached him with an idea and wanted to know whether he’d be interested. His response was pretty simple—whatever the company needed him to do, he was ready.
“There was a conversation that was had, and it was like, ‘We want to—what do you think about us going this route?’ And I was like, man, whatever play you call, I’ma run it. Give me the ball, coach. That was it.”
Keys even used a few football comparisons to explain just how willing he was to make the opportunity work. Whether WWE wanted him to play offense or defense, he wasn’t about to turn down the chance to prove himself.
“You know, if you want me to intercept something, I’ma intercept it. Want to hand me the ball off, I’m Barry Sanders, you know what I’m saying? Throw that pass, I’m gonna be Jerry Rice.”
Looking at where things stand now, Keys believes that decision has paid off. With Bronco Nima, Lucien Price, Jaida Parker and now Carmelo Hayes alongside him in 946, he feels the faction has become one of the biggest talking points in wrestling.
“So, you know, I personally feel the position I’m in and the position Bronco Nima’s in, Lucien Price, Jaida Parker, now Carmelo Hayes—like, we running it. Like, we the most talked-about topic in professional wrestling. So, you know, like I said, I got hitters with me. So, everybody’s hungry.”
Keys clearly isn’t short on confidence these days, especially after spending months wondering why things weren’t connecting with fans. Now that WWE has given him a direction he feels comfortable with, he’s focused on making the most of it alongside the rest of 946. Judging by how he talks about the group, he doesn’t see their momentum slowing down anytime soon.
Do you think WWE has finally found the right direction for Royce Keys with 946? Let us know in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
