CM Punk has weighed in on the growing fan backlash surrounding Powerhouse Hobbs’ new WWE name.
After leaving AEW, Hobbs officially debuted in WWE under the new ring name Royce Keys at the WWE Royal Rumble 2026. Entering the Men’s Royal Rumble at No. 14, the on-screen graphics made a point to acknowledge that he was formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs before fully introducing him as Royce Keys.
The run wasn’t short either. He lasted close to ten minutes, eliminated Damian Priest and was eventually taken out by Bronson Reed. Still, the in-ring showing wasn’t what fans focused on. The name change quickly became the bigger talking point.
Powerhouse Hobbs had built a strong identity during his time in AEW. Seeing him rebranded as Royce Keys didn’t sit well with fans. Speaking on the No-Contest Wrestling show, CM Punk responded to the criticism. He pointed out how wrestling fans tend to complain no matter what direction things go.
“Wrestling fans are so interesting because they complain about everything. Powerhouse Hobbs – cool name, right? This is a new start. And I think Royce Keys is a pretty badass name. Everyone’s immediately gonna poo-poo on it because they’re used to Hobbs as the status quo.”
CM Punk says wrestling fans are their own worst enemies
CM Punk said fans constantly demand new talent and new ideas, but the moment WWE tries something different, the same fans sour on it. “People will always not like new things, but then they’ll demand new things. ‘We need new talent,’ okay, we give you new talent, but then they sour on them.”
“Stephanie Vaquer. Put the belt on her, immediately people are like (grumbling). Joe Hendry just won the NXT Title. People are already being like, ‘Oh this Joe Hendry title run, getting a little long in the tooth.
Punk even included himself in the criticism, admitting he’s a wrestling fan too. Sometimes, he said, fans are their own worst enemies. “It’s just like, sometimes – and I’m a wrestling fan too so I’ll go ahead and include myself in this so people don’t think I’m picking on them – but sometimes we’re our worst enemies.” [H/T: Wrestletalk]
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