Royce Keys’ WWE Status Update: WrestleMania Plans and Potential Damian Priest Feud
Royce Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in All Elite Wrestling, has been absent from WWE television since his impressive debut at the Royal Rumble. While many anticipated a swift follow-up to his performance – where he eliminated Damian Priest before being defeated by Bronson Reed – a potential feud has been put on hold due to shifting creative plans for WrestleMania 42.
Initial Plans for Keys Post-Royal Rumble
Following his Royal Rumble appearance, WWE initially had plans in place for Royce Keys. Still, adjustments to the WrestleMania 42 card have led to a reconsideration of those plans, according to WrestleVotes. The original idea centered around a program between Keys and Damian Priest, building off their interaction in the Royal Rumble match.
WrestleMania Adjustments Cause Ripple Effect
“I do believe the program we end up getting is Damian Priest and Royce Keys, going back to the Royal Rumble. But if you’re changing the top of the card, that means the bottom or middle part of the card is up for grabs,” WrestleVotes explained in a Q&A session on February 16, 2026 [Source: Ringside News]. “They had an idea to do Damian Priest and Keys coming out of the Rumble. We talked about the meeting they had—there are still a lot of matches up in the air, and that’s one they reconsidered. That’s the reason Royce Keys hasn’t shown up.”
These changes reflect a broader “trickle-down effect” impacting multiple storylines as WWE finalizes its WrestleMania 42 lineup [Source: eWrestlingNews].
Recent Activity and Potential SmackDown Appearance
Despite his absence from televised programming, Keys has remained active within the company. He participated in a dark match against Nathan Frazer before the February 13th edition of SmackDown [Source: Ringside News]. Keys posted on Instagram confirming his presence at the February 16th SmackDown taping in Dallas, Texas, with a photo from the arena floor featuring WrestleMania signage [Source: IT Wrestling]. This suggests a potential alignment with the SmackDown roster.
Looking Ahead
While the initial plans for a feud with Damian Priest have been reconsidered, the possibility remains open. The ultimate direction for Royce Keys will likely depend on the final shape of the WrestleMania 42 card and the evolving creative landscape within WWE. For now, fans will have to wait and observe when and where Keys will make his official televised return.