Backstage update: Royce Keys-AEW relationship ahead of WWE debut

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Speaking on the Devon & The Duke podcast, Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley shared some insights on Royce Keys’ frustration with AEW before signing with WWE.

“Now that he’s under the WWE’s umbrella, he’ll be able to get that structure that he needs. He was very frustrated and very angry at times. I remember when talking with him, because he didn’t feel like he got that with AEW. And now that he’s in the WWE, it might be a different story. There are certain people that [sic] come from AEW, that go to WWE that feel more content, and they feel like they [are] in a place where they should be to learn what they need to do to take their careers to the next level. And he’s done that, and he’s going to do that, I should say,” D-Von said.

Royce Keys will reportedly be part of SmackDown moving forward. He didn’t appear on last Friday’s episode, but he’s expected to be part of the blue brand heading into WrestleMania 42.

WWE Hall of Famer influenced Royce Keys’ decision to leave AEW

While D-Von Dudley had some insights on Royce Keys’ decision to leave AEW, another WWE Hall of Famer was influential in Keys making the jump. Rikishi revealed it on his Off The Top podcast.

“I said, ‘Take a chance.’ If you’re going to take a chance, take a chance on yourself. And so for me, that was the end of our conversation, until I seen the highlights. And when he came out, man, I was so happy for him,” Rikishi said.

Keys had a tryout match in WWE a decade ago against Baron Corbin, but he wasn’t offered a contract. He joined AEW in 2020 and was mainly part of stables like Team Taz, the Don Callis Family, and The Opps.

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