Booker T Says WWE Is About To Go All-In On Royce Keys After Royal Rumble Debut
Royce Keys wasted no time making an impression in WWE, and Booker T believes the company has massive plans for him already. The former AEW powerhouse, previously known as Powerhouse Hobbs, officially arrived in WWE during the Royal Rumble, debuting under his new ring name in one of the biggest matches of the year. According to reports, Keys received a strong backstage reaction following the appearance and is expected to land on the SmackDown brand moving forward.
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T had nothing but praise for the move and the way WWE introduced Keys to its audience. The two-time Hall of Famer made it clear that this debut was far from random.
Booker T said Keys made the right decision by joining WWE, calling the Royal Rumble entrance just the start of something much bigger. He added that Keys is now positioned to do “big things” and suggested fans should keep a close eye on his rise.
What stood out most to Booker T was WWE’s level of trust. Instead of sending Keys to NXT, the company placed him directly into the Royal Rumble spotlight on his very first night. Booker noted that even flashing his former name, Will Hobbs, on screen spoke volumes about how seriously WWE views his potential and the direction they plan to take him.
With strong early praise, immediate main-roster exposure, and SmackDown reportedly in his future, Royce Keys’ WWE journey appears to be moving fast—and Booker T believes this is only the beginning.
