AEW Makes Major Offer to Retain Powerhouse Hobbs

Powerhouse Hobbs, recently known as Royce Keys, has officially transitioned to WWE, but prior to his move, AEW made a significant effort to retain him.

AEW’s Lucrative Offer to Powerhouse Hobbs

AEW President Tony Khan extended a substantial financial offer to Hobbs, reflecting the company’s commitment to keeping him. According to Dave Meltzer from Wrestling Observer Radio, the deal was financially competitive, approaching the salaries of prominent stars from AEW’s early days.

Details of the AEW Proposal

The offer presented to Hobbs was a five-year contract designed to remain competitive in the wrestling market. While the specifics of Hobbs’ WWE agreement are not publicly available, Meltzer described AEW’s counteroffer as impressively high.

• The AEW deal could surpass earnings of many founding roster members since the company’s inception in 2019.
• Meltzer emphasized that it was a “very good offer,” though not among the top ten in the company.
• The contract’s value might be comparable to Bryan Danielson’s initial deal signed upon relocating from WWE to AEW.

This offer, reportedly exceeding what established WWE stars like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn were making four years ago, highlights AEW’s investment in Hobbs’ potential.

Hobbs’ Intentions and WWE Transition

Despite receiving a generous package from AEW, Hobbs appeared determined to join WWE. Meltzer mentioned there was a prevailing sentiment within WWE that Hobbs would join as soon as he could.

Rebranding as Royce Keys

As he steps into WWE, Hobbs is adopting a new identity, having filed to trademark “Royce Keys,” a name that holds personal meaning due to his son. Before leaving AEW, Hobbs achieved significant accolades, including holding the TNT Championship and the World Trios Championship, marking his impactful tenure since 2020.

In summary, while Hobbs’ journey now leads him to WWE, AEW’s efforts to retain him underscore the talent’s prominence in professional wrestling.