Royce Keys Calls Out Jacob Fatu, Gunther and More as He Targets WWE Gold in 2026

Royce Keys could be one of WWE's top emerging superstars in 2026.

The 6-foot-1, 270-pound veteran, he's best known for his lengthy tenure with AEW as Powerhouse Hobbs, made his surprising debut at WWE's Royal Rumble just days after his final appearance with AEW.

He has since picked up momentum with wins on WWE Smackdown, including winning the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal just prior to WrestleMania. 

Keys was more recently featured in a backstage segment with Jacob Fatu, his longtime friend and former rival on the indies. It was notable considering Fatu has recently gone face to face with Roman Reigns for the World Heavyweight Championship at Backlash.

Keys said he's looking forward to facing a number of wrestlers in the WWE and would love to face Fatu. He said the best feud he's ever had in his wrestling career was against Fatu when they were wrestling in the indies all over California.

"Anybody and everybody, anybody that gets in the ring can get it," said Keys in a one-on-one interview of who he'd like to face. 

"I take what I want, and that's something I lived by my whole life. I would love to get in the ring with Gunther, Trick Williams, Jacob Fatu, Oba Femi. Anybody, man, I'm down. I don't run from anybody. It can be anybody."

Royce Keys On Why Feud With Jacob Fatu Would Be Epic

Keys explained why he and Fatu, another big guy at 6-foot-2 and 285 pounds, would work well together in a WWE ring.

"Nobody gonna get in between us," said Keys. 

"If you're in a bar and you see two big dudes go at it, what are you going to do? Hard hitting, going at it. Nonstop action. Two dudes that refuse to lay down for anybody. Somebody's not going to get up."

Gunther is a notable opponent considering the run he's been on. The Austrian star has ended the careers of legendary wrestlers such as Goldberg, John Cena and AJ Styles.

When asked what his message would be to Gunther, Keys said he would bet on himself "all the way."

"I'm not no fool, I ain't gonna say he will win," said Keys. 

"I'm betting on myself all the way. I think I'm different from anybody on the roster, just from everything I've been through. I'm not gonna say anyone hasn't had any hardships, but I've been knocked down my whole life, and I've always gotten back up. I've yet to meet any mortal that can keep me down."

Royce Keys Reveals Key Objective Before End Of 2026

Keys had a notable tenure in AEW, wrestling there for nearly six years. He crossed paths in matches against the likes of Cody Rhodes, the current Undisputed WWE Champion, Chris Jericho, Jon Moxley and CM Punk. 

He won the AEW TNT Championship and the AEW World Trips Championship.

While he was engaged here and there in notable storylines, he was never known as a main eventer. 

Keys is looking to change that in WWE. He mentioned mostly main event names when talking about guys he'd like to wrestle and made it clear he wants to win a championship before the end of 2026.

"Have a championship belt around my waist," said Keys. "It's gonna happen."

When asked the one specific area he wants to improve upon the most, Keys said it's his mic skills. He said he would love to emulate WWE legend Jake "The Snake" Roberts in how he delivers his promos.

"Talking to the audience," said Keys. 

"You can always get better at promos. You can always figure out a different way or how to get better connecting with the audience. One person that comes to mind is Jake 'The Snake' Roberts. He reminds me of my grandfather, because my grandfather was stern and he knew he was serious, and he didn't have to yell. You look back at old Jake Roberts' promos, he never yelled. But you knew he was serious."

When it comes to superstars he looked up to while growing up, Keys didn't just name one, he listed former WWE superstars such as Mark Henry, Booker T, The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin among several others. 

Keys said he can pick up the phone any time to talk to get advice from Henry and Booker T, two former World Champions in the WWE.

"There were many, there wasn't just one," said Keys. 

"There were many such as Mark Henry, Booker, T, Stone Cold, The Rock. There was Mr. Perfect, Rick Rude, Haku. So many different guys that looked up to depending on where I was in my life. I like a lot of Triple H. There was some X-Pac. It depends on the mood I was in. Sometimes I would pretend I was a different wrestler every day growing up."

He said the best advice he received from Henry and Booker T is to be himself.

"Remember, you're here for a reason, be you," said Keys. 

"This was not a fluke that I'm here. I'm here for a reason, right time for a reason."