Backstage Update on Powerhouse Hobbs’ AEW Departure & Potential WWE Debut Plans

As noted before, Powerhouse Hobbs’ contract with AEW expired on January 15th and he recently signed with WWE. Hobbs is currently expected to be going under the new ring name of Royce Keys for his career in WWE.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that Hobbs had received a great offer to stay in AEW and was much higher than expected. Meltzer reported that it is currently not known what Hobbs’ offer was from WWE for his signing with the company.

Meltzer reported that Hobbs’ offer from AEW is believed to have been higher than anyone but Chris Jericho earned in AEW’s first year in 2019. In regards to comparisons to those within WWE, Meltzer also reported that it was more than what guys on the level of Kevin Owens and Sami Zatn were making four years ago but less than they are making now. Hobbs’ offer reportedly was in the range of what someone on the level of Seth Rollins was making around the same time and nearly triple of what many significantly high WWE talents were making in the first year or so of AEW.

Meltzer also reported that if WWE offered him similar money, that would in theory guarantee a decent push for Hobbs but ultimately WWE will push wrestlers who get over with their crowds.

In regards to potential debut plans for Hobbs in WWE, Fightful Select reported that their sources stated that Hobbs is supposed to be Saudi bound. It was speculated that Hobbs might be one of the surprise entrants for the Men’s Royal Rumble match at this Saturday’s Royal Rumble event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but this is something that has yet to be confirmed. Those spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that Hobbs had been scheduled to travel to Saudi Arabia this week.