Royce Keys WrestleMania 42 Plans: Update on WWE Storyline
The storyline between Kit Wilson and Jelly Roll is set to continue on this week’s episode of “WWE SmackDown,” with the former NXT Tag Team Champion scheduled to call out the Grammy Award-winning musician. However, plans for Royce Keys’ involvement in a potential WrestleMania 42 tag team match appear to have been put on hold.
According to wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer, despite Keys’ name being discussed in backstage conversations regarding a possible WrestleMania 42 tag bout featuring Jelly Roll, he is not currently factored into those plans. Meltzer shared this information on the “Wrestling Observer Radio” podcast.
“I kind of wonder where they’re going with Jelly Roll, if they’re going to turn that into [something],” Meltzer said. “It just feels to me they’re going to build some gimmick match with him and Kit Wilson and maybe a tag [match] with Miz because The Miz has been involved in the storyline. They could do that. I had asked about the story because there was a story about Royce Keys, and I was told that it’s not Royce Keys, for whatever that’s worth. I wasn’t actually told that there is a match [involving Jelly Roll], but when you gaze at it, it certainly seems like they’re building it.”
Keys, formerly known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, made a surprise debut in the Men’s Royal Rumble. Since then, he has participated in a series of dark matches against talent from the “SmackDown” brand, but has yet to appear on televised programming. His re-branding and subsequent appearances have generated curiosity among fans, but a clear path for his WWE career remains undefined.
The initial connection between Wilson and Jelly Roll began with a series of interactions that quickly escalated into a rivalry. Wilson, known for his flamboyant personality and in-ring skills, initially seemed to embrace Jelly Roll’s presence, only to find himself on the receiving end of the musician’s growing frustration with the world of professional wrestling. This dynamic led to a physical confrontation, setting the stage for their ongoing feud.
The Miz’s involvement adds another layer of complexity to the storyline. The veteran performer, known for his manipulative tactics and self-serving ambitions, has positioned himself as a potential ally to Jelly Roll, even as simultaneously exploiting the situation for his own gain. His recent interaction with Jelly Roll on “SmackDown,” which culminated in a punch to the face, further intensified the conflict and raised questions about his true intentions.
The potential for a WrestleMania 42 match involving Jelly Roll and Kit Wilson has been a topic of speculation among wrestling fans and industry observers. WrestleMania, WWE’s flagship event, is known for its star-studded lineups and high-profile matches. The inclusion of a celebrity like Jelly Roll would undoubtedly attract mainstream attention and potentially draw a larger audience.
However, the decision to potentially exclude Royce Keys from the equation raises questions about WWE’s creative direction. Keys’ imposing physique and background in combat sports could have added a significant element of physicality to the match. His presence might have also appealed to fans who are familiar with his work in AEW.
The current focus on a potential tag team match involving Jelly Roll, Kit Wilson, and The Miz suggests that WWE is leaning towards a more character-driven storyline. This approach would allow the performers to showcase their personalities and engage in verbal exchanges, potentially leading to a more compelling narrative. The nature of the “gimmick match” Meltzer alluded to remains unclear, but it could involve a stipulation that plays into the personalities and strengths of the participants.
As of , the exact details of the WrestleMania 42 match involving Jelly Roll remain unconfirmed. WWE is likely to continue building the storyline on “SmackDown” in the coming weeks, revealing more information about the potential participants and the match’s stipulation. The company’s decision-making process will likely be influenced by fan reaction, television ratings, and the overall creative direction of the show.
The situation surrounding Royce Keys highlights the fluid nature of professional wrestling storylines. Plans can change quickly, and performers can be added or removed from matches at any time. While Keys’ involvement in the Jelly Roll storyline may be on hold for now, This proves not necessarily a permanent decision. He could still be incorporated into the narrative at a later date, or he could be assigned to a different storyline altogether.
For now, the focus remains on the escalating feud between Jelly Roll, Kit Wilson, and The Miz. The upcoming episode of “SmackDown” is expected to provide further clarity on the direction of the storyline and the potential for a WrestleMania 42 match. Fans will be watching closely to see how WWE unfolds this unique and unconventional rivalry.