• AEW reportedly offered Powerhouse Hobbs a much larger contract than expected.
  • Dave Meltzer says the offer matched deals given to top stars like Bryan Danielson.
  • Hobbs has signed with WWE and WWE filed to trademark the name Royce Keys.
  • Hobbs is a former AEW TNT and World Trios Champion who left after six years.

H2: AEW’s surprise offer to Powerhouse Hobbs

AEW made what Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer called a “much higher than expected” offer to keep Powerhouse Hobbs, according to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Meltzer said the AEW proposal would have been a number that exceeded what many early AEW top stars earned and was roughly in line with deals given to talent like Bryan Danielson when he jumped from WWE to AEW.

H3: How the offer compares to other top deals

Meltzer compared the AEW offer for Powerhouse Hobbs to past contracts for well-known names. He wrote it would have been higher than what many stars such as Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were making several years ago and nearly on par with the money Seth Rollins-level talent earned around the same timeframe. That places the offer in a top-tier range for pro wrestling contracts in recent years.

H4: Why Hobbs still chose WWE

Despite AEW’s big proposal, Hobbs elected to sign with WWE. Meltzer noted that if WWE matched AEW’s money, it could have guaranteed Hobbs a significant push — but he also emphasized that WWE typically pushes the performers who get themselves over with the audience. Details of WWE’s offer to Hobbs have not been made public.

H3: New WWE identity — Royce Keys

WWE has filed a trademark for the name Royce Keys with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Hobbs has a son named Royce, and reports indicate the former Powerhouse Hobbs will perform under that ring name in WWE. The filing was made on January 20, 2026.

H4: Hobbs’ AEW tenure and accolades

Powerhouse Hobbs, who turned 35 recently, had been with AEW since 2020. During his time there he captured the TNT Championship and was a World Trios Champion, establishing himself as a powerful presence on AEW programming and in live events.

H2: What this means for the wrestling landscape

The reported size of AEW’s offer highlights the company’s willingness to invest heavily to retain homegrown stars amid intense competition from WWE. Hobbs’ move to WWE — and WWE’s quick trademark filing — shows both promotions are actively positioning talent for future storylines and growth.

H3: Bottom line

Powerhouse Hobbs received a major contract offer from AEW that industry insiders say was much larger than anticipated. Even so, Hobbs opted for a new path with WWE and the Royce Keys name is now part of WWE’s filings. Fans can expect to see Hobbs in a new role as he begins the next chapter of his career in WWE.

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