It's being widely reported that Powerhouse Hobbs is leaving AEW. According to Fightful Select, his current contract expired at midnight last night, and the former AEW TNT Champion is now expected to sign with WWE.
The site explains that Hobbs "finished up [last night] at the AEW Collision tapings after Dynamite," marking the end of the road for him in Tony Khan's promotion after signing with the company in 2020. Now, Hobbs is "contractually eligible" to join WWE "as of this week."
With that in mind, we'd bet on him debuting in NXT imminently. Then again, if the plan is to bring him straight to the main roster (and it probably should be), then a surprise appearance in this month's Royal Rumble match seems a safe bet.
Apparently, talks between AEW and Hobbs had been ongoing for "the last number of months," with Khan making a "huge" and "substantial" offer for him to stick around. Hobbs declined, but is "leaving on good terms" and now "[wants] to test the waters" elsewhere.
Unsurprisingly, Hobbs has been on WWE's radar for "quite some time," and a source within the company tells the site that "he is expected to join the company" and that they "believe he is headed there, barring some huge unforeseen change."
@WrestleVotes has since provided additional details, including plans for a name change—possibly just "Hobbs"—and the expectation that he will bypass NXT and head straight for RAW or SmackDown.
Talking to Chris Van Vliet in 2022 about a possible WWE debut, Hobbs said, "I did [thing it was possible] at one time. I got to the point where they bring you in to do a half and stuff and I’m like OK cool. Then there are people on the roster who are like ‘Hey, when are they going to give you a shot?’ So you know, guys alone telling me that stuff and that I have talent."
Hobbs previously did some work for WWE as an enhancement talent, and in AEW, he's been able to learn from Taz. Addressing that, he noted, "Patience. Patience in the ring. Stalking, being true to myself and doing what I feel. Doing stuff that feels natural and put my size over. I am a big dude and I like stalking people."
"Taz has taught me that whatever you do in the ring, make people in the arena and at home feel it. I see people cringe when I hit people and I know they are at home too."
What would you like to see from Powerhouse Hobbs in WWE?