The debut of Powerhouse Hobbs at the Royal Rumble was meant to be a major moment. The former AEW star arrived under the new name “Royce Keys,” but the reaction inside the stadium was mixed at best. Former WWE superstar Stevie Richards recently broke down the debut on his Stevie Richards Show, offering a harsh critique of how the company handled the introduction of the big man.
Richards: “It Felt Like He Just Kind Of Faded Really Quick”
Richards questioned the logic behind the presentation, specifically the name change and the lack of context provided to the audience. “They probably were like, you know what, if we put up Powerhouse Hobbs—which, by the way, that’s how you explain the name change on a Titantron… Then we’re literally going to shatter the Titantron and bring up the new Dolph Ziggler, Royce Keys,” Richards said, expressing confusion over the branding.
Beyond the name, Richards felt the in-ring execution fell flat. “It just felt like he didn’t feel in place in the Rumble… It didn’t feel like he was making any kind of impact. He did a couple of power moves, but it felt like it just kind of faded really quick.” Richards argued that a wrestler with Hobbs’ physical attributes should have been introduced via vignettes showcasing his strength—deadlifting or squatting massive weights—rather than a cold debut in a crowded match. “The fans not even reacting to the debut kind of is a fault… this is not the way to do it,” he concluded.
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