After months of speculation and behind-the-scenes negotiations, it now looks like Powerhouse Hobbs is officially on his way to WWE. Following the expiration of his All Elite Wrestling (AEW) contract, the powerhouse star has been removed from AEW’s roster — and according to multiple reports, WWE is preparing for his arrival.
With the Royal Rumble 2026 fast approaching in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, all signs point to Hobbs potentially making his WWE debut on one of the company’s biggest stages.
Hobbs Leaves AEW After Contract Expires
Hobbs’ AEW contract reportedly ran out at midnight this past Thursday, and by the weekend, he was taken off the official AEW roster. His final match saw him pinned by “Hangman” Adam Page, as Page and JetSpeed defeated The Opps to win the AEW World Trios Titles.
That moment now appears to have been Hobbs’ official AEW exit — and a soft send-off before what seems like a major leap to the competition.
WWE Reportedly Operating as If Hobbs Has Signed
According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, multiple WWE insiders have confirmed that the company is treating Hobbs’ signing as a “foregone conclusion.”
“WWE sources… said that people in the company are operating on the belief that Hobbs is signed to WWE.” – Sean Ross Sapp, Fightful Select
While there hasn’t been an official debut date confirmed, one WWE source stated that Hobbs could appear in Riyadh at the Royal Rumble, although this is still unconfirmed.
So far, Hobbs hasn’t been spotted backstage at any WWE event, but the buzz is growing.
AEW Tried to Keep Him — But WWE Won Out
Tony Khan and AEW reportedly made Hobbs a “huge” contract offer to stay, but the 34-year-old chose to explore new horizons instead. WWE has had an eye on Hobbs for years, and the timing of his free agency worked perfectly with the company’s current direction.
WWE is believed to see Hobbs as someone who could make an instant impact, either on the main roster or NXT, especially with some of NXT’s biggest stars recently moving to Raw and SmackDown.
What’s Next for Powerhouse Hobbs in WWE?
While the Royal Rumble is the most likely place for a high-profile debut, WWE could also choose to build anticipation by revealing him on a later date, especially with WrestleMania 42 season heating up.
Potential directions for Hobbs in WWE:
- Immediate NXT dominance, filling the gap left by Oba Femi
- A surprise Royal Rumble entrant, setting up a WrestleMania feud
- Joining a dominant heel stable like The Judgment Day or The Bloodline
- Reuniting with past AEW rivals in new storylines
What About Chris Jericho?
While Hobbs’ move seems imminent, Chris Jericho’s status remains uncertain. His AEW contract was rumoured to end in late 2025, yet he is still listed as part of the AEW roster.
There had been chatter about Jericho returning to WWE for one final run, possibly around WrestleMania or even during TNA iMPACT’s debut on AMC, but so far, he hasn’t appeared.
Whether Jericho follows Hobbs or stays put remains to be seen.
