Royce Keys wins 2026 Andre the Giant battle royal on WWE SmackDown
One year and a day after winning the AEW Trios titles, Royce Keys won his first-ever Andre the Giant memorial battle royal on Friday’s WWE SmackDown.
The last two men were Talla Tonga and Keys with Tonga trying to end it with a chokeslam. Keys countered with a spinebuster and then clotheslined Tonga over the top rope for the win. Keys then posed with the Andre trophy outside the ring.
Our Bryan Alvarez noted there are “big long-term plans” for Keys following the win.
The 41-year-old made his WWE debut at this past January’s Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia after five+ years in AEW. He wrestled nine dark matches after that, finally making his TV debut on last Friday’s SmackDown in a three minute win over Berto.
The battle royal to honor the WWE legend began in 2014 with Friday’s being the 14th edition. At one point held on the WrestleMania card itself, it transitioned to the SmackDown episode before it starting in 2021.
Since 2011, Josh has been a contributing editor to Wrestling Observer/F4WOnline.com and also hosts the Punch-Out podcast. He has also written for Fight Magazine, Bloody Elbow, Bleacher Report, and other websites. He's a 2000 graduate of the University of Maine, worked in pro sports, and once was an indie ring announcer.