Royce Keys picked up a huge win on the final SmackDown before WrestleMania as he is the latest winner of the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal.
Taking place on the April 17 edition of the show, Keys was the last man standing in the match, last eliminating Talla Tonga to win the trophy. Keys hit Tonga with a spinebuster and a clothesline to send the MFT member out of the ring. The match featured a few surprise entrants, such as AAA stars La Parka and Psycho Clown, along with former NXT Champion Joe Hendry, who teased a move to the main roster on the most recent episode of NXT.
Keys, previously known as Powerhouse Hobbs in AEW, made his in-ring debut at the 2026 Royal Rumble. Following an absence away from main roster TV, Keys defeated Berto on the April 10 SmackDown in what was his TV debut match.
Royce Keys Is The Latest Andre The Giant Battle Royal Winner
Keys is now the 12th winner of the battle royal, which has become a tradition over WrestleMania weekend after first being introduced in 2014 at WrestleMania 30. The past winners of the match are as follows:
- 2014 – Cesaro
- 2015 – The Big Show
- 2016 – Baron Corbin
- 2017 – Mojo Rawley
- 2018 – Matt Hardy
- 2019 – Braun Strowman
- 2021 – Jey Uso*
- 2022 – Madcap Moss
- 2023 – Bobby Lashley
- 2024 – Bronson Reed
- 2025 – Carmelo Hayes
- 2026 – Bronson Reed
* From 2021 onwards, the battle royal took place on the final SmackDown before WrestleMania as opposed to the show itself.
Featured image: WWE
