Former WWE producer claims that Powerhouse Hobbs aka Royce Keys was “very frustrated” at times during AEW run

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 the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, former WWE producer D-Von Dudley commented on Keys’ potential in WWE…

“I believe that with the right structure, he’ll come along great. I had his matches when he used to come to WWE as an extra, and I worked with him and helped him. He’s always given me credit for that. And the great thing about it is now that he’s under WWE’s umbrella, he’ll be able to get that structure that he needs. He was very frustrated and very angry at times, I remember talking with him because he didn’t feel like he got that with AEW. And now that he’s in WWE, it might be a different story.

There are certain people that come from AEW and go to WWE that feel more content, and they feel like they’re in a place where they should be to learn what they need to do to take their careers to the next level. And he’s done that—and he’s going to do that.”