Before the cameras rolled for Friday’s SmackDown, a familiar powerhouse stepped between the ropes — Royce Keys — and this time, it wasn’t for a battle royal cameo.
Royce Keys competed in a dark match prior to the SmackDown broadcast, facing Nathan Frazer in what marked his first singles match in WWE.
While the bout didn’t air on television, it was a notable milestone for the former Powerhouse Hobbs, who made his debut in January’s Royal Rumble.
Royce Keys Wrestles First WWE Singles Match
Royce Keys entered the Royal Rumble at number 14 and wasted no time making an impact, eliminating Damian Priest almost immediately.
He also shared a brief moment in the ring with Cody Rhodes, with commentary referencing their shared history. His Rumble run ended at the hands of Bronson Reed after nearly ten minutes of action.
Since then, Royce Keys has remained visible behind the scenes. He appeared backstage on the Monday Night RAW following the Royal Rumble and recently visited WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.
According to Fightful Select, that trip was to tape an episode of Stephanie McMahon’s “What’s Your Story?” podcast, along with other digital content.
In a WWE vlog documenting his Rumble debut, Keys reflected on the moment. “This is wild. This is like something out of a movie,” he said, describing the goosebumps he felt walking into the arena.
After the match, he added, “Eliminating a former World Champion… I’m here. I’m going to take everything I want.”
The dark match against Nathan Frazer signals that WWE is continuing to test the waters with Keys in singles competition. It may not have been televised, but every journey starts somewhere. For Keys, a dark match means that the bell has officially rung on chapter two.
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