• WWE Management Doesn’t See New Main Roster Call-Up As A “Franchise Star”
Despite a rapid ascent from NXT to a full-time spot on the Monday Night RAW roster, the internal outlook on Je’Von Evans may be more complicated than his push suggests. The 21-year-old high-flyer officially joined the red brand on January 5, 2026, following a series of standout performances against stars like Randy Orton and AJ Styles. However, a recent report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer indicates that WWE leadership is divided on exactly how high Evans’ ceiling truly is.
According to the report, while management acknowledges Evans’ undeniable charisma and connection with the audience, as evidenced by his recent win as the fan-voted NXT Male Superstar of the Year, they do not currently view him as a “franchise star.”
This puts him in a different category than fellow call-up Oba Femi, whom officials reportedly see as a “top guy” capable of carrying the company in the same vein as Bron Breakker. Meltzer noted that while Evans is expected to be a “star,” the company seemingly views his potential as capped below the true main-event level.
The unusual nature of his RAW debut has only added to the conversation. Evans signed his contract with General Manager Adam Pearce during a commercial break, a move that reportedly caused confusion even among some backstage staff.
While some initial rumors suggested this might be a slight against the young star, reports from WrestleVotes / Fightful Select clarify that it was more likely a timing issue, while PWInsider reported that it was a deliberate attempt to create a “viral” moment for social media rather than a reflection of his standing in the company.
• Triple H “Very High” On AEW Champ
As 2026 begins, WWE is reportedly keeping a very close watch on one of AEW’s most dominant forces. According to the Wrestling Observer, high-ranking officials in WWE are “very high” on Powerhouse Hobbs, viewing him as a standout talent whose physical style would be a perfect fit for their main roster.
While Hobbs is currently a cornerstone of Tony Khan’s promotion, his contract is expected to expire sometime in 2026, making him a top name on WWE’s internal free-agent watchlist.
This isn’t the first time WWE has shown interest in the super-heavyweight star. Back in 2020, following his impressive debut performances on AEW Dark, WWE reportedly reached out to Hobbs, only to be rebuffed as he chose to sign a full-time deal with All Elite Wrestling.
Since then, Hobbs has enjoyed a meteoric rise, moving from Team Taz to a solo run as TNT Champion. Most recently, he has found massive success as a member of The Opps, a dominant faction led by Samoa Joe.
The trio captured the AEW World Trios Championship in 2025 and has held the titles for over 270 days, setting a new record for the longest reign in the championship’s history.
Despite his current status as a champion, the allure of a WWE run remains a major talking point. Whether Hobbs decides to stay with the promotion that gave him his start or seeks a new challenge under Triple H’s creative direction is set to be one of the biggest stories of the 2026 wrestling season.
