Former AEW Star Royce Keys Makes WWE SmackDown Debut

The wrestler formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs makes his long-awaited WWE TV appearance.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 1:05am

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting depicting a wrestling match between two figures, their bodies and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant blue, red, and yellow hues.Royce Keys' WWE debut on SmackDown showcases the raw power and intensity of professional wrestling through a cubist, geometric lens.San Jose Today

Royce Keys, the former Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, made his WWE television debut on Friday night's episode of SmackDown. Keys, who had previously appeared in dark matches for WWE, defeated Berto in his first match on the blue brand. After the match, Keys was interviewed by Cathy Kelly and confronted by Solo Sikoa, who welcomed him to SmackDown.

Why it matters

Royce Keys' move from AEW to WWE is a significant development in the professional wrestling landscape, as top talents continue to shift between the two major promotions. His debut on SmackDown also marks the next step in his career and provides an opportunity for him to showcase his skills on the WWE's main roster.

The details

In his debut match, Keys quickly overpowered Berto, hitting a big powerslam and a spinebuster for the victory. During the match, Berto's tag team partner, Angle, tried to distract the referee, but was knocked off the apron. After the match, Keys was interviewed by Cathy Kelly, where he expressed his happiness at debuting in front of his hometown crowd in the Bay Area. He then had a confrontation with Solo Sikoa, who welcomed him to SmackDown and said his door was open if Keys ever needed anything.

  • Keys made his long-awaited WWE TV debut on Friday, April 11, 2026 on SmackDown.
  • He had previously entered the Royal Rumble match on January 31, 2026, but had been wrestling dark matches ahead of both SmackDown and WWE Raw.

The players

Royce Keys

The former Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, who is now making his debut on the WWE's SmackDown brand.

Berto

Keys' opponent in his debut match on SmackDown.

Angle

Berto's tag team partner, who tried to distract the referee during the match.

Solo Sikoa

A SmackDown superstar who welcomed Keys to the brand and said his door was open if Keys ever needed anything.

Cathy Kelly

The backstage interviewer who spoke with Keys after his debut match.

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What they’re saying

“My debut was a long time coming and I'm happy to debut in front of my people in the Bay area, around 20 minutes from where I grew up in East Palo Alto.”

— Royce Keys

“If you ever need anything, my door is open.”

— Solo Sikoa

What’s next

It remains to be seen how Royce Keys will be utilized on the SmackDown brand going forward, and whether he will continue to have interactions with Solo Sikoa or other superstars.

The takeaway

Royce Keys' WWE debut on SmackDown represents a significant career milestone for the former AEW star, as he looks to make his mark on the WWE's main roster. His confrontation with Solo Sikoa suggests potential future storylines and rivalries that could develop for Keys on the blue brand.