You never know who’s going to show up when you watch a WWE premium live event, and back in January, Powerhouse Hobbs debuted at the Royal Rumble under the name Royce Keys. The former AEW star entered the men’s Royal Rumble match, but has been off TV ever since.
WWE announced earlier this week that Royce Keys would be making his SmackDown debut during Friday’s episode, and he wrestled his first match on the blue brand.
Royce Keys faced off against Berto in a singles match as Angel Garza watched from ringside. At one point Garza got up on the apron and tried to interfere, but Royce Keys took him out with a clothesline. He then turned around and delivered a spinebuster to Berto to pick up the victory.
After the match Cathy Kelly interviewed Royce Keys backstage and asked him what it was like to wrestle twenty minutes away from his hometown. Keys was interrupted by Solo Sikoa who told him he did a good job out there. Solo insisted that he runs things on SmackDown, so if Royce Keys needs anything he’s the man he should see. Keys simply nodded as Sikoa walked off.