In a move that’s sending shockwaves across the wrestling world, Powerhouse Hobbs is reportedly WWE-bound after officially wrapping up his time with AEW. With his contract expiring at midnight after this week’s Maximum Carnage, Hobbs is now a free agent — and insiders believe a WWE debut is imminent.
But the big question remains: Will Hobbs make his mark in NXT like other recent AEW alums, or head straight to the main roster?
Hobbs Leaves AEW Amid Strong Push to Stay
Hobbs’ departure from All Elite Wrestling came as a surprise. Just an hour after Maximum Carnage aired on Wednesday night, news broke that his deal had run out. According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, AEW worked hard to keep Hobbs on board — offering huge contracts up until this week.
“Contract negotiations between AEW and Hobbs started in recent months, and offers were made all the way up to this week,” said Ross Sapp. “But Hobbs had made his mind up.”
Despite AEW’s efforts, it seems Hobbs has decided to move on — reportedly doing so without burning bridges, a rare but commendable approach in the business.
WWE Ready to Sign Hobbs — But Where Will He Debut?
Insiders say WWE fully expects to sign Hobbs in the coming days. The company has already seen former AEW stars like Ricky Saints (Ricky Starks), Ethan Page, and Blake Monroe (Mariah May) start in NXT, but Hobbs might be on a different path.
Pitch for Main Roster Debut
According to Ross Sapp, there’s already been at least one internal pitch for Hobbs to skip NXT and debut directly on the main roster. That’s a big vote of confidence and speaks to how highly WWE views Hobbs’ potential.
With Friday Night SmackDown taking place at the OVO Arena Wembley in London, there was some early buzz that Hobbs could debut as soon as this week — though travel logistics may complicate that.
Could Hobbs Appear on SmackDown?
Hobbs’ last AEW match — a pre-taped trios title bout with Samoa Joe and Shibata — is set to air Saturday night, just days after his contract expired. But with SmackDown airing Friday from London, WWE would need Hobbs to fly 10-13 hours from Phoenix (where AEW taped) to the UK almost immediately.
It’s a tight turnaround, and while not impossible, it seems unlikely unless WWE already had everything lined up. That said, a surprise debut later this month or at the Royal Rumble would still be massive and far more realistic.
New Name Incoming for Hobbs
One small wrinkle: his ring name. WWE is known for trademarking original names for its talents, and Hobbs is expected to get a new ring name once signed.
This isn’t unusual — both Ricky Saints (fka Ricky Starks) and Blake Monroe (fka Mariah May) didn’t adopt their new WWE names until after their debuts. So fans can expect something similar for Hobbs, possibly announced or revealed a week or two after he appears on WWE TV.
NXT or Main Roster: Where Does Hobbs Fit Best?
Both brands could benefit from Hobbs’ arrival:
Main Roster (SmackDown/Raw)
- A dominant force ready to feud with top-tier talent
- Could be a standout in mid-card or upper-card storylines
- Fits well into WWE’s powerhouse-heavy SmackDown division
NXT
- Immediate main event player following the exit of Trick Williams and Oba Femi
- Would add star power and experience to the developmental brand
- A chance to refine his character for WWE’s audience
Given the buzz and internal discussions, the main roster seems more likely, but until it’s official, both options are on the table.
