Powerhouse Hobbs is no longer All Eliteand it now seems all but official that hes WWEs next major signing.
According to Fightful Select, Hobbs AEW contract expired at midnight on January 15, immediately making him a free agent. While his final AEW match (a Trios Title defense) will air on the January 17 AEW Collision: Maximum Carnage episode, Hobbs is no longer contractually tied to Tony Khans company.
Initial speculation ran wild that Hobbs might debut on SmackDown during WWEs European tapings, but those hopes were squashed fast. Fightfuls Sean Ross Sapp confirmed Hobbs wasnt backstage at the show, adding:
Now in a significant update, Fightful is reporting that people within WWE are operating under the assumption that Hobbs has already signed.
This isnt a case of sudden interest either. WWE has had their eye on Hobbs for years, and sources say he was expected to make the jump to WWE the moment his AEW contract ended. Dave Meltzer also noted on Wrestling Observer Radio:
Though Hobbs hasnt been spotted backstage at WWE yet, sources say hes likely to be around during Royal Rumble weekend, although plans remain unconfirmed. Behind the scenes, Hobbs reportedly explored his AEW options but ultimately chose to move on.
At just 34 years old, with years of untapped potential and a monster look, Hobbs could be a game-changer for WWEwhether he debuts in NXT, RAW, or SmackDown. One thing is clear: the Hobbs era in AEW is over, and the WWE chapter is ready to begin.
Do you think Powerhouse Hobbs should debut at the Royal Rumble or wait for a post-Mania reset? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
