Powerhouse Hobbs of Team Taz comes full circle from his AEW start to AEW Revolution UCF
All Elite Wrestling is taking over Florida from Wednesday through March 9, and Will “Powerhouse” Hobbs of Team Taz will be there.
Once a promising receiver/safety/kick returner for Sequoia High School in the San Francisco Bay area, this skinny, skilled and fast three-sport athlete transformed into the strong, muscular powerhouse he is today, with AEW taking notice.
Via QT Marshall, AEW contacted Hobbs about an opportunity to compete on AEW Dark for AEW’s YouTube channel. It was during the height of COVID, and with California and the rest of the country shutting down, Florida remained open for business. Hobbs decided to travel cross-country, a move that turned out for the better and best.
Hobbs, 31, impressed the AEW hierarchy and eventually landed a contract. His first match in AEW (nerves included) for AEW Dark saw him against Orange Cassidy on January 7, 2020. Cassidy won at Daily’s Place, AEW’s home base in Jacksonville.
Not long after, Hobbs was recruited by ECW legend Taz, and he joined Team Taz. His second good move paid off, too.
Come full circle at the AEW Revolution PPV on Sunday in Orlando, Hobbs and Cassidy are featured on the stacked card, competing against each other again in the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match. That physically demanding match, with the winner getting a future TNT title shot, also showcases more muscle with Keith Lee and Wardlow as well as Christian and FTW Champ Ricky Starks.
Hobbs and Starks are no strangers to one another. They are part of Team Taz in AEW and friends outside it. Hobb’s kids’ second favorite wrestler is Uncle Ricky. By the way, when Team Taz goes to dinner, Taz eats free. Respect.
In my video interview with “Powerhouse” Hobbs, he talks AEW, Team Taz, the AEW Revolution ladder match, playing high school football, why he didn’t play college ball, living with his grandparents who were big pro wrestling fans, watching wrestling at the famous Cow Palace (which was across the street from their home), Sting, Chris Jericho, Booker T, California indie wrestling, and more.
Hobbs began this in-ring journey on the California and West Coast indie wrestling circuit, including All Pro Wrestling and Championship Wrestling From Hollywood. After graduating high school, he registered at the All Pro Wrestling (APW) School in Hayward, California. Hobbs was trained by Donovan Morgan, Ezekiel Jackson, Frank Murdoch, Michael Modest and Roland Alexander. He made his pro debut in 2009.
AEW Week in Florida
AEW Dynamite on TBS on Wednesday, March 2 from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville.
AEW Dark YouTube tapings on Thursday from Universal Studios Orlando.
AEW Rampage on TNT on Friday from Addition Financial Arena at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
AEW FanFest on Saturday from Addition Financial Arena at UCF Orlando.
AEW The Music Live Show on Saturday night at The Venue at UCF Orlando.
AEW Revolution PPV via FITE TV & Bleacher Report Live (also in theaters at CineMark, AMC Theatres & Regal Movies) on Sunday from Addition Financial Arena at UCF Orlando.
“Powerhouse” Hobbs of Team Taz is an integral part of this stacked show. He joins Team Taz teammate and FTW Champ Ricky Starks, Keith Lee, Wardlow, Christian, and Orange Cassidy in the Face of the Revolution Ladder Match. The winner receives a future TNT title shot.
AEW Dynamite on TBS on Wednesday, March 9 from Hertz Arena in Estero/Fort Myers.
AEW WEEKLY PROGRAMMING
AEW Dark: Elevation 7 p.m. Mondays on AEW YouTube.
AEW Dark 7 p.m. Tuesdays on AEW YouTube.
AEW Dynamite 8 p.m. Wednesdays on TBS.
AEW Rampage 10 p.m. Fridays on TNT.
AEW ON THE WEB & SOCIAL MEDIA
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My Pro Wrestling & MMA Talk on the Web and Social Media
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This story was originally published March 2, 2022 at 3:21 PM.
