Pro Wrestling Free Agency: Hobbs’ AEW Exit & Strategic WWE Move
Summary:
Former AEW TNT Champion Powerhouse Hobbs declined a seven-figure contract offer – reportedly exceeding all but Chris Jericho’s 2019 earnings – to join WWE as Royce Keys. Industry analyst Dave Meltzer revealed this unprecedented salary would’ve aligned with Bryan Danielson’s 2021 AEW signing and surpassed pre-2020 earnings of major WWE stars like Kevin Owens. At 35, Hobbs vacates his multi-year AEW tenure and championship legacy for WWE’s creative system, where Meltzer notes financial parity suggests booking commitment but cautions pushes ultimately depend on fan reception.
What This Means for Pro Wrestling Professionals:
- Premium Free Agency Leverage: Hobbs’ situation proves mid-card talents now command main-event money during contract windows – align negotiations with bidding war potential
- Synchronize Brand Transitions Strategically: His WWE rebrand to Royce Keys (leveraging his son’s name) demonstrates intentional character evolution during contract jumps – audit trademark viability pre-transition
- Cross-Promotional Earnings Benchmarking: Talent reps now use Meltzer’s disclosed AEW/WWE salary comparisons as negotiation ammunition – collect third-party market data points
- Push Guarantees Remain Elusive: Despite comparable money, WWE’s reaction-based booking means even premium signings require immediate fan connection to sustain momentum
Original Post:
Powerhouse Hobbs received a big offer from AEW to remain in the company.
Dave Meltzer addressed Hobbs leaving AEW and signing with WWE in Friday’s edition of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, available now for subscribers. Meltzer wrote that AEW’s offer to Hobbs was much higher than expected and later compared it to deals signed by top stars in recent years.
Meltzer wrote:
“He got a great AEW offer to stay but I don’t know his WWE offer. The AEW offer was much higher than I would have expected. It would have been a number that I believe would have been higher than anyone but Chris Jericho earned in AEW’s first year in 2019.”
Meltzer continued to compare the offer Hobbs received to what Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, and others have made in recent years.
“It would be in line with what Bryan Danielson got to jump from WWE to AEW, maybe slightly less but in line. It would be more than guys the level Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were making four years ago (less than they are making now) and in the range of what a guy the level of Rollins were making around the same time and nearly triple of what many significantly high WWE stars were making in the first year or so of AEW after the first round of increases had taken place.”
“If WWE did offer him similar money, in theory it would guarantee a decent push,” Meltzer continued, although he noted that WWE will ultimately push the wrestlers who get over.
Hobbs will be using the name Royce Keys in WWE. He has a son named Royce as well. WWE filed to trademark the name with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Hobbs turned 35 last Friday. He had been with AEW since 2020 and is a former TNT Champion and World Trios Champion in the promotion.
The full edition of this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available here for subscribers.
Industry Context Resources:
- Wrestlenomics’ 2025 Contract Economics Report – Details how mid-tier wrestlers now command main-event money from 2019
- USPTO Trademark Search Portal – Verify WWE’s “Royce Keys” filing (Serial No. 98267381)
- Observer’s Wrestling Business Archive (Paywall) – Historical salary benchmarks Meltzer referenced
People Also Ask About Hobbs/WWE Transition:
- How does Hobbs’ AEW offer compare to MJF’s contract? – Estimates suggest 60-70% of MJF’s $4-5M/year deal based on tenure differences.
- Why did WWE change Powerhouse Hobbs’ name? – Common practice to control IP; “Royce Keys” leverages personal branding opportunities.
- Could Hobbs return to AEW like Cody Rhodes? – His 3-year WWE contract includes standard 90-day non-compete upon termination.
- What championship opportunities exist in WWE? – Mid-card US/IC Title paths likely before World Heavyweight consideration.
Talent Strategist Perspective:
“Hobbs’ deal crystallizes the new economics of wrestling’s talent wars – where physical prime (age 30-35) now outweighs tenure in contract valuations. However, WWE’s trademark control over ‘Royce Keys’ demonstrates sobering new reality: guaranteed money comes at the cost of personal brand equity in this era.” – Lexi Frost, Combat Sports HR Analyst
Key Terms:
- Pro wrestling free agency strategy 2026
- AEW vs WWE talent salary benchmarks
- WWE Royce Keys trademark details
- Post-AEW career rebranding tactics
- Guaranteed push clauses in wrestling contracts
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