Quick Read
- Powerhouse Hobbs’s AEW contract expired at midnight on January 15, 2026.
- WWE has expressed strong interest in signing Hobbs, with company sources believing he will join them.
- Hobbs is a former AEW TNT Champion and a current AEW World Trios Champion with The Opps.
- He debuted in AEW in 2020 as Will Hobbs, initially a babyface before turning heel and joining Team Taz.
- Speculation suggests Hobbs could either join NXT or immediately move to WWE’s main roster.
The professional wrestling landscape is abuzz with significant news as Powerhouse Hobbs, a formidable presence within All Elite Wrestling (AEW), is reportedly on the cusp of a major career shift. With his AEW contract officially expiring at midnight on January 15, 2026, the wrestling community is keenly watching his next move, particularly amid escalating rumors of strong interest from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
Hobbs, whose real name is Will Hobbs, has been a cornerstone of AEW since his debut in 2020. Initially joining the company during its challenging pandemic era, he quickly garnered attention. His early tenure saw him as a fan favorite, or ‘babyface,’ before a pivotal turn transformed him into a compelling ‘heel’ character. This transition solidified his role as a dominant force, particularly during his impactful run as an enforcer within the formidable Team Taz faction. His physical prowess and undeniable charisma quickly made him a standout, laying the groundwork for his future successes within the promotion.
Throughout his time in AEW, Hobbs has accumulated an impressive list of accolades. He is a former TNT Champion, a testament to his individual strength and in-ring capability. More recently, he has been a vital component of the AEW World Trios Champions, currently holding the gold alongside The Opps faction. This group, which includes seasoned veterans like Katsuyori Shibata and Samoa Joe, and was later joined by Hook in late 2025, has been a dominant force in the tag team division, further elevating Hobbs’s profile. As reported by Fightful Select, Hobbs participated in this week’s AEW Dynamite and Collision tapings, fulfilling his commitments even as his contract neared its end.
The WWE Horizon: A New Chapter?
The prospect of Powerhouse Hobbs transitioning to WWE has been a topic of fervent discussion for several months. According to reports from Fightful Select, negotiations for a new AEW contract were ongoing, and Tony Khan, AEW’s owner, presented a substantial offer. However, Hobbs ultimately chose to explore his options as a free agent. Sources close to WWE have expressed a strong belief that Hobbs will indeed sign with the company, making him eligible to do so almost immediately after his AEW contract concluded.
This potential move raises immediate questions about his placement within WWE. Will Hobbs begin his WWE journey in NXT, the company’s developmental brand, or will he be fast-tracked to the main roster shows like Raw or SmackDown? The landscape of NXT’s men’s division has recently seen several top talents, such as Je’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams, receive calls up to the main roster. This creates a significant void at the top of NXT, a spot Hobbs is more than capable of filling with his size, experience, and established presence. Alternatively, a direct jump to the main roster is not out of the question. WWE has a long-standing history of valuing athletes with Hobbs’s impressive physical attributes and national exposure, suggesting he could quickly become a prominent player on their flagship programs.
Leaving on Good Terms and Current Storylines
Despite the impending departure, reports suggest that both Powerhouse Hobbs and AEW are parting ways on amicable terms. This indicates a professional and respectful conclusion to their working relationship, a common occurrence in the dynamic world of professional wrestling where careers often involve moves between major promotions. Even as his contract wound down, Hobbs remained deeply embedded in AEW storylines.
One of his final acts in AEW involved defending the AEW World Trios Championships alongside The Opps. This championship defense was against a formidable pairing of ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Jet Speed. This rivalry had been brewing for some time, intensifying particularly after The Opps faction played a role in costing Adam Page his AEW World Championship previously. These high-stakes matches provided a fitting, dramatic conclusion to Hobbs’s impactful tenure with All Elite Wrestling, ensuring he left a lasting mark even as he prepared for new horizons.
The wrestling world now eagerly awaits official confirmation of Powerhouse Hobbs’s next destination. His potential arrival in WWE would mark a significant acquisition for the global entertainment giant, bringing a seasoned, powerful, and charismatic talent into their already stacked roster. Whether he becomes a dominant force in NXT or makes an immediate splash on Raw or SmackDown, Hobbs’s future appears bright, promising exciting new chapters for fans to follow.
Powerhouse Hobbs’s reported decision to transition from AEW to WWE underscores a shifting paradigm in professional wrestling, where top-tier talent increasingly leverages their market value to seek new opportunities. This move not only highlights Hobbs’s growing stature but also reflects the intense competition between major promotions for compelling athletes, ultimately benefiting fans with fresh matchups and evolving narratives.