Making Sense Of Powerhouse Hobbs Signing With WWE Over AEW

Powerhouse Hobbs stunned fans this week with the revelation that his All Elite Wrestling contract was set to expire on Jan. 15, making him a free agent.

This came as a surprise to most viewers because the East Palo Alto, California native is currently one-third of the AEW trios champions. In fact, he has been more visible recently due to his role in "Hangman" Adam Page's feud with The Opps.

However, Dave Meltzer reported that WWE had shown interest in and expected him to join the company during a recent episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. That would add some context to the situation, as one would have to assume AEW didn't expect him to leave because he was still on television regularly.

Fightful Select reported Tony Khan made Hobbs a "substantial offer," but he turned it down because he is likely heading to WWE. That would make him the latest wrestler to join Khan's biggest competitor, and it would be a safe bet to say he won't be the last.

This isn't to say that AEW hasn't made strides as an alternative to the industry leader. Nevertheless, these moves will continue to occur when there are two viable options in the United States.

To make heads or tails of this particular exit, it's important to recognize this is a normality, but everyone's career aspirations are personal. There's always more to the story than we know.

Where The Grass Looks Greener

Cody Rhodes was the first AEW star to jump ship for WWE in 2022 and go on a monumental run. His success with the company would inevitably entice other wrestlers to make the move, hoping to raise their profile as well.

In the years since Rhodes' return to WWE, Jade Cargill, CM Punk, Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, Pénta, Andrade, Rusev, Aleister Black, and Blake Monroe have all followed. Many of these acquisitions have been successful, and the current regime has a vested interest in maintaining this perception because it will encourage others to join them.

When the grass looks greener elsewhere, someone who is already unhappy with their position will come searching for the same outcome. Hobbs is seemingly the latest wrestler hoping to take the gamble and reap his rewards on a bigger stage.

All Elite Wrestling

This move will undoubtedly spark online discourse about whether AEW utilized him properly, and Hobbs is an interesting case study. The 2023 Face of the Revolution ladder match winner was essentially a Day 1 talent, and Khan appeared to like him because he remained relevant.

He wasn't a part of the initial signings or a sought-after indie darling, but he parlayed his exposure on AEW Dark into a full-time contract. That route to becoming All Elite became the ideal way to earn the company's trust and the fanbase's support.

Nonetheless, it's hard to deny Khan can often be inconsistent when developing new stars. Last year proved that forward momentum is crucial to roster growth, and its owner and head of creative must be cognizant of it.

For example, someone like Kris Statlander would likely remain loyal to the company when her tenure translates into tangible results, such as a better position on the card or a world title reign. Although Hobbs went from a relative unknown to a credible mid-carder, he didn't have a consistent direction for much of his five-year stint with AEW.

That's unfortunate because he was popular with the core audience, and live crowds responded well to him when he received opportunities. Khan also hasn't made a big man into an undeniable star yet, and Hobbs had the potential to fill that void.

Is This The Opportune Time?

With that said, WWE could be the right fit for him. After all, the company is often referred to as "The Land of Giants" because it has featured so many big-men wrestlers.

The 34-year-old could be the latest addition to that legacy, but it's hard to determine where he would land on the road to WrestleMania 42. Raw and SmackDown have already welcomed a new crop of NXT call-ups, and Oba Femi appears to be the next up after he vacated the brand's main title.

Concurrently, NXT doesn't even look as advantageous because the main title picture will be barren without Femi, Trick Williams, and Je'Von Evans. Yes, this would also be the perfect time for Hobbs to replace them, but he doesn't have many interesting opponents left without them.

A strong Royal Rumble debut would put him on pace to make an impact later this year, but where would he factor into plans for WWE's return to Las Vegas for The Show of Shows?

Hobbs has proved he can stand out on a crowded roster when given the chance, but transitioning to a larger company with more moving parts comes with a new set of challenges.

Betting on himself could ultimately pay off, but it will take time to establish Hobbs in front of a new audience and gain a spot in the pecking order.