Add as a preferred source on Google Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs, has finally explained what went into his decision to leave AEW for WWE.
Speaking with 107.7 The Bone, Keys said there are personal reasons he will keep private, but that the chance to live out a childhood dream of becoming a WWE Superstar was what drove the move.
“Um, a lot. There’s a lot of personal ones that I won’t speak on, but, you know, the dream is always to be a WWE Superstar. It’s all I dreamed about as a kid. And I will never live my life as to having ‘what ifs.’ What if I did this? What if I would’ve went? What if I didn’t go? There was no second thought about putting pen to paper when that opportunity came up.”
His departure was not for a lack of interest from AEW. Keys’ contract expired on January 15, 2026, even though Tony Khan had made what was considered a substantial offer. His final match was taped the night before it aired on January 17, 2026, when The Opps lost the AEW World Trios Championship to Hangman Page and JetSpeed.
“I mean, you look at what WWE is. It’s the all-in, the all and be all of professional wrestling and sports entertainment. So, why wouldn’t I want to go? I felt like LeBron James right now in free agency, you know what I’m saying? It was one of those things like, well, this is what I always wanted. The opportunity’s here. Let’s see what we make out of it. And I will always put 10 toes down and 100%, seven days a week, always bet on myself.”
WWE announced Keys’ signing on January 22, 2026, and he debuted nine days later at the Royal Rumble, eliminating Damian Priest. Before he began appearing regularly on SmackDown, he spent several weeks working dark matches to get acclimated.
“It’s business. You’re going to have your friends that you’ll always keep in contact with, and you have your acquaintances. But this is business. I have to do what’s best for Royce Keys. And the best thing to do for Royce was to go to WWE.”
Keys’ comments add to what people close to him have said. D-Von Dudley has said Keys felt frustrated and did not have the structure he needed in AEW, while Rikishi said he told Keys to bet on himself.