Royce Keys wants people to stop assuming he was just “sitting in catering” before finally getting his shot on WWE television. The 946 member revealed that Triple H actually had him working dark matches before Raw and SmackDown every week for months, giving him the reps he needed before his eventual television debut.
Speaking on NotSam Wrestling, Keys looked back at the stretch between his surprise Royal Rumble appearance and becoming a regular presence on WWE television. While some fans may have assumed there wasn’t much happening with him behind the scenes, Keys said his schedule told a very different story.
“Man, I was only home Tuesdays and Wednesdays, right? Until I had my debut, right? You know, people don’t know that. ‘He’s just sitting around.’ I hate when people say, ‘Oh, he’s just sitting in catering.’ Like, it just makes me want to — I can’t say what I want to do.”
Keys was particularly annoyed by the idea that people outside WWE automatically knew what the company was doing with him. He then revealed that Triple H had given him the chance to work dark matches before both Raw and SmackDown every single week for roughly two-and-a-half to three months.
“Everybody thinks they know everything about this business, and everybody, you know, has run a wrestling company and all that. Like, nah. Triple H gave me the chance to do dark matches before Raw, do dark matches before SmackDown every single week for about two-and-a-half, three months.”
Those matches weren’t simply something for Keys to do until WWE found a television storyline for him either. He saw them as valuable practice, especially while adjusting to a different environment and preparing himself for a bigger opportunity.
“I was doing that. You know, anybody that wants to do anything well or, you know, own their craft, you got to get dirty. You got to practice it. You know, especially if you’re new to something that’s different, you ain’t just going to jump in it. Reps. You know, you got to get those reps. You got to get used to things, you know. So, that’s what I did.”
By October, all those reps had led Keys into a much different position on WWE television. He’s now part of 946, and Keys credited both being able to show more of his real personality and having the right people around him for how much he’s enjoying his current run.
“Yeah, I’m loving it. Exactly. Like I said, I’m being me, and I got the perfect group with me. I got the perfect people.”
Keys may not have been appearing on television during those months, but he certainly wasn’t sitting around waiting for WWE to figure something out. Triple H had him getting consistent work behind the scenes, and Keys believes those months of repetition helped prepare him for the opportunity he’s getting now.
What do you think about Triple H having Royce Keys work Raw and SmackDown dark matches for months before putting him on television? 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.
