WWE Hall of Famer says he advised Powerhouse Hobbs aka Royce Keys to “take a chance” by leaving AEW
As seen during the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble PLE, Royce Keys (formerly Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW) made his debut with the company in the men’s Rumble match. While speaking on his podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi commented on Keys…
“He’s always looked amazing. This kid here, Hobbs—I’m going to stick with Hobbs, right?—because that’s what I know him as when he came to train with me down here and we used to run shows together.
He went through the system. He did all the independents. He went through all the ups and downs, the bullsh*t of certain independent promoters, and how to survive in the game.
But he was always never far away from me. Like, he would just pick up the phone and he would call me and ask, you know, ‘How do I deal with this? How would you—’ He was always asking questions.
I just seen him recently. I believe it was WrestleCon last year in Las Vegas. And, you know, he stopped by. He’s always been respectful. Even when he was in AEW at the time, you know, he would always, just out of the random blue, text me, ask how I’m doing, and so forth.
So we had a little chat. I kind of knew he was going to jump ship, you know. It was easy over there for him in AEW. He wasn’t being used the right way. You follow me?
And, you know, it’s like, well listen, you can always leave and go to WWE if you’re not happy. And it’s not about the money anymore. You know, WWE is where it’s at. I mean, every single wrestler on the planet that’s out here on the independent circuit is gunning to be able to be seen or go to WWE.”
So I said, ‘take a chance. If you don’t take a chance, take a chance on yourself.’
And so for me, that was the end of our conversation until I seen the highlight. And when he came out, man, I was so happy for him.”