After debuting in WWE during January’s men’s Royal Rumble match, former AEW wrestler Powerhouse Hobbs (now known as Royce Keys) has been notably absent from TV despite the road to WrestleMania officially underway.
In the latest WrestleVotes Live! on Fightful Select Q&A, the two hosts spoke about Keys’ recent absence from WWE. According to their report, Keys is still slated to land on the Smackdown brand and that they believe his first feud will be against Damian Priest.
WrestleVotes further explained that Keys’ absence is likely related to the top of the WrestleMania 42 card being reconsidered and that a “trickle down effect” has led to both the middle and bottom of the card has also been affected. Multiple matches are still up in the air and a Priest-Keys match is one that may fall into that category and ultimately, that is why WWE has been keeping Keys off TV.
The two hosts agreed though that while not in the main event picture, Keys (as well as a host of other middle-of-the-pack wrestlers) will get on the WrestleMania card and it’s up to creative now to have them slotted in the appropriate matches.