Royce Keys Works Dark Match Before WWE Smackdown

Royce Keys competed in his first match since the WWE Royal Rumble, working a dark match before this week’s episode of WWE Smackdown. Fightful reports that Keys competed at Friday’s show, taking on Nathan Frazer. You can see a pic from the match below. The match does not appear to have been filmed for WWE Main Event, though that is not confirmed at this time.

Keys made his WWE debut in the men’s Rumble match. He entered the match at #14 and lasted about 10 minutes, eliminating Damian Priest during his time in the bout. He was eventually eliminated by The Vision’s Bronson Reed.

Keys is the former Powerhouse Hobbs and signed with WWE in late January after his AEW contract expired. AEW made an effort to retain Keys, offering him a significant contract that was reported to be a five-year deal. However, he chose instead to leave and go to WWE and turned down the offer. He is said to have left AEW on good terms.

Keys has not appeared on WWE television since his debut at the Royal Rumble. There is not any word as of this writing regarding when Keys may return to WWE TV, nor what brand he may end up appearing on.

We got Nathan Frazer vs Royce Keys before #SmackDown! pic.twitter.com/rIOqqPAHfS

— Miguel 🇲🇽🏳️‍🌈🦋🐶 (@ItzBossTiime) February 14, 2026