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Royce Keys thinks his run in WWE is going swimmingly

Live coverage and related reports for Royce Keys thinks his run in WWE is going swimmingly.

AI Story Summary

What happened?

Royce Keys, formerly known in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs, says his WWE run has been going well after a slower-than-expected start on television. The Cageside Seats report notes that after debuting at the Royal Rumble and then largely disappearing, Keys has recently become a more regular SmackDown presence through the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, a contender match with GUNTHER, and involvement in Bloodline-related storylines.

Key Takeaways

Royce Keys says his WWE experience has exceeded expectations.
His early WWE run included a Royal Rumble debut followed by limited television time.
Keys has since been featured more regularly on Friday Night SmackDown.
Recent story beats include winning the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and facing GUNTHER in a number one contender match.
He is now being tied into Bloodline business on WWE television.

AI Timeline

AEW run

Keys previously wrestled in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs.

WWE signing

After joining WWE, he was renamed Royce Keys.

Royal Rumble debut

Keys debuted for WWE at the Royal Rumble but then had a quieter stretch on television.

SmackDown return

He later debuted on Friday Night SmackDown and began appearing more consistently.

Recent push

Keys won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, faced GUNTHER in a contender match, and entered Bloodline-related storylines.

Model: gpt-5.5•Generated: Jul 8, 6:30 PM

Sources Covering This Story

Cageside Seats

Timeline

Jul 8, 6:00 PM

Royce Keys thinks his run in WWE is going swimmingly

Cageside Seats • WWE

PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND - JUNE 12: Royce Keys makes his entrance during SmackDown at Amica Mutual Pavillion on June 12, 2026 in Providence, Rhode Island. (Photo by Georgiana Dallas/WWE via Getty Images) | WWE via Getty Images Following a solid run in AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs, there was great anticipation for what WWE would do with the big fella once they signed him to a deal. He was renamed Royce Keys, debuted at the Royal Rumble, and then just sort of disappeared. He did a touching interview with Stephanie McMahon but beyond that we heard nothing from or about him. Finally, he debuted on Friday Night SmackDown, went on to win the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, worked a number one contender match against GUNTHER, and is now involved in Bloodline business. It’s taken some time, but he’s slowly been worked into being a regular presence on television. To hear him tell it, all is going swimmingly. From his interview with WittyWhittier (via Wrestling Observer): “It’s exceeded my e

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