Breaking: WWE Confirms 2-Time AEW Champion Will Debut On SmackDown
WWE has finally announced the debut of Royce Keys.
Keys formerly competed under the ring name Powerhouse Hobbs while representing AEW. He was a 2-time champion in the Jacksonville-based promotion, having held the TNT Championship once and the World Trios Championship once with Samoa Joe and Katsuyori Shibata.
He departed the company in mid-January following the expiration of his contract. His final match saw The Opps lose the Trios title to JetSpeed and “Hangman” Adam Page after Kevin Knight pinned him.
Following his departure, Keys made his debut for the Stamford promotion as a surprise entrant during the Men’s Royal Rumble match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Entering the bout as the #14 participant, he spent nearly 10 minutes in the ring, securing a single elimination, that of Damian Priest. He was later eliminated by The Vision’s Bronson Reed.
Ever since, fans have been waiting to see him featured again. Reports suggested that he was assigned to SmackDown, but he never appeared on the main show.
Royce Keys’ only public appearance outside WWE was when he was interviewed by Stephanie McMahon on her What’s Your Story? podcast.
It was also reported that he was on the road with the talent, competing in dark matches ahead of SmackDown tapings. His last match was against the Creed Brothers’ Brutus Creed on April 6, his first dark match before a Raw taping.
WWE Confirms Royce Keys’ Debut On SmackDown
On April 9, WWE shared a tweet on X to confirm the debut of Royce Keys on SmackDown tomorrow.
In the nearly 2-minute video, Keys can be seen talking about his childhood growing up in East Palo Alto and being raised by his grandparents. He also speaks about his love for wrestling.
“I refuse to be defined by where I’m from, but instead by where I’m going.”
From East Palo Alto to the world stage, @RealRoyceKeys’ journey has shaped him into the man he is today. Keys writes another chapter in his story when he makes his official #SmackDown debut TOMORROW!! pic.twitter.com/8vpYJXDIO8
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2026
During discussions about joining the Triple H-led promotion, Royce Keys put forth one demand that he deemed non-negotiable.
Keys was adamant that he make his debut on the main roster instead of NXT, according to a report by Fightful Select.
Over the last couple of years, the company has recruited several talents from its rival promotion, including the likes of Penta, Rey Fenix, Andrade, Ricky Saints, and Jade Cargill.
Cody Rhodes and CM Punk, too, returned to their previous promotion in 2022 and 2023, respectively. While Rhodes is the current Undisputed Champion on SmackDown, Punk serves as the World Heavyweight Champion on Raw.
At WrestleMania 42, Cody is scheduled to defend his title against Randy Orton, whereas Punk will put his title on the line against Roman Reigns.
It remains to be seen whether or not Royce Keys is featured on the card in any capacity.