Why Royce Keys Was Booked On The WWE Main Roster Instead Of NXT

There is a very simple reason behind why Royce Keys was booked on the WWE main roster instead of NXT upon making his debut for the company.

According to Fightful Select, Keys was placed on the main roster as WWE wanted the former Powerhouse Hobbs to be utilised there instead of WWE NXT. A number of former AEW talents have begun their WWE careers in NXT instead of the main roster, including Lexis King, Blake Monroe, and Ricky Saints, while the likes of Penta and Rey Fenix went straight to the main roster.

Royce Keys made his WWE debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble, debuting at #14 in the men's Royal Rumble match. He lasted just under 10 minutes in the match, recording an elimination on Damian Priest, before Keys was eliminated by The Vision's Logan Paul, Bronson Reed, and Austin Theory.

Since then, Keys has yet to resurface on WWE TV but he has appeared on What's Your Story? with Stephanie McMahon and worked several dark matches ahead of SmackDown against the likes of Nathan Frazer, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and Rey Fenix.

Keys could soon make his first televised appearance on SmackDown as reports have claimed the former Powerhouse Hobbs teaming with Jelly Roll has been discussed for WrestleMania 42.