Powerhouse Hobbs is officially done with AEW, but fans hoping for a surprise WWE debut on SmackDown this week will need to be patient.
According to Fightful Select, Hobbs AEW contract expired at midnight on January 15, making him a free agent and legally eligible to appear anywhereincluding WWE. While his final AEW match, a Trios Title defense, will air on AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage on January 17, Hobbs is no longer under contract with Tony Khans company.
This situation opened the door for Hobbs to potentially show up on WWE programming while still appearing on AEW TVespecially given SmackDown is airing from Europe this week. However, Fightful Selects Sean Ross Sapp has confirmed that Hobbs was not scheduled to travel to Europe for this weeks taping and wasnt backstage at all on the day of the show.
Despite no on-screen appearance just yet, Hobbs is still expected to sign with WWEif he hasnt already. Sources claim WWE has been interested in the 34-year-old powerhouse for years, not just the past few months. That long-standing interest has reportedly been mutual, with Hobbs turning down a recent AEW offer to pursue his next chapter with WWE. Dave Meltzer previously stated on Wrestling Observer Radio:
Powerhouse Hobbs might not be walking through the curtain on WWE TV just yet, but make no mistakehis next chapter is coming. With his AEW run officially over and WWE interest going back years, the writings on the wall. All thats left is the when, not the if. Keep your eyes peeled, because when Hobbs shows up, it wont be quiet. Itll be a statement.
Do you think Powerhouse Hobbs will thrive in WWE once he officially signs? Should he land on RAW, SmackDown, or NXT first? Share your thoughts in the comments!
