• Backstage Confusion In WWE Over Royce Keys’ Debut
The man formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs didn’t just debut at the Royal Rumble; he made an immediate statement to the entire WWE roster. Under his new moniker, Royce Keys, the super-heavyweight standout earned “very positive” reviews from both peers and management during his first night on the job, according to Fightful Select.
Keys’ introduction to the WWE staff was described as a massive success, with many backstage noting his professionalism and undeniable presence. While his physical performance in the ring met high expectations, the chatter behind the curtain centered on how well he integrated into the WWE system in such a short time.
However, the transition wasn’t without its questions. Some within the company were “confused” by how WWE was able to use the “Powerhouse Hobbs” name on the entrance screen and even on commentary, as that name is owned by AEW.
Also Read: Tony Khan Made An Insane Offer To Powerhouse Hobbs To Stay In AEW
• Spoiler On Roman Reigns’ WrestleMania 42 Opponent
Roman Reigns eliminated Gunther in the end to win the 2026 Men’s Royal Rumble match and The OTC is going to main event WrestleMania 42. During the Royal Rumble post show, Undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre was asked about the possibility of facing The Tribal Chief at WrestleMania 42. Here’s what The Scottish Psychopath said:
“Roman Reigns? Ohh, there’s a big enemy of Drew McIntyre. His Bloodline made my life a living hell for so long. So if he wants to pick Drew McIntyre, I know he’s on his own now. On his own, I would destroy Roman Reigns. Go for it, Roman. Pick me. Let’s main event WrestleMania and I will drop your ar$e. I’m unbeatable right now.”
While McIntyre might have teased a match with The Head of the Table, that’s not WWE’s current plan.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Roman Reigns is scheduled to challenge CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 42. Reigns and Punk starred together as zebra buddy-cops called “Zebros” in Zootopia 2.
• Fans Troll Shane McMahon Over AJ Styles Tribute Post
The wrestling world is paying tribute to AJ Styles after The Phenomenal One retired at Royal Rumble 2026. Shane McMahon paid tribute to Styles. AJ defeated Shane at WrestleMania 33 in 2017. Here’s what Shane O’Mac wrote on Instagram:
“AJ Styles will go down in history as one of the greatest in ring performers ever! Thank you for your friendship and giving it your absolute best to entertain us all every single time you stepped through the ropes. You set the bar for current and future talent, let’s see if they can reach it. Congratulations on a Phenomenal career.”
Along with this text, Shane used a very pixelated, low quality photo of Styles:
This led to fans trolling Shane in the comments section. You can read some of the comments below:
“Got any more pixels?”
“AJStyles.png”
“This is the best picture you could find?”
“Was this pic taken on a Nokia 3210?”
“Shane obviously still has beef with AJ from years ago, hence the low quality pic 😂”
“Bro still using 2003 Internet Explorer”
“C’mon Shano, could have shown a better picture for a tribute post 🤣”
• WWE Officials Were Impressed By 3 Wrestlers At Royal Rumble 2026
While the veterans grabbed the headlines, the real story of the Royal Rumble was the arrival of a new generation. Internally, WWE officials were raving about the performances of several young stars who used the global stage in Saudi Arabia to prove they are ready for the spotlight.
According to PWInsider, the biggest buzz in the locker room centers on Sol Ruca and Oba Femi. Both NXT standouts left a massive impression on management, with Ruca’s athletic display and Femi’s powerhouse presence being cited as the highlights of the night. Their performances weren’t just seen as successful cameos; they were viewed as the definitive start of a long-term plan to establish new, dominant names for the future of the company.
Joining them in the winner’s circle was Je’Von Evans, who also received significant praise for his work during the match. For many behind the scenes, the 2026 Royal Rumble served as a true start for these fresh faces.
Sol Ruca was in the Women’s Royal Rumble match for 50 minutes and was in the final 3.
Oba Femi entered the Men’s Royal Rumble match at #1. He lasted 39 minutes and eliminated 5 men, before being eliminated by Brock Lesnar.
While Je’Von Evans didn’t eliminated anyone, he spent the most time in this year’s Men’s Royal Rumble: 41 minutes.
