Who Made Powerhouse Hobbs’ AEW Mount Rushmore? The Trios Champ Weighs In
I had the distinct pleasure of sitting down with Powerhouse Hobbs, one-third of the reigning AEW Trios Champions, for a candid conversation that covered his journey, his influences, and his perspective on the wrestling business.
As you can imagine, a man with the nickname "Powerhouse" spends a lot of time in the gym. When I asked him what fuels his workouts, he explained that his music choice is completely based on his mood. He doesn't have a specific playlist, instead choosing what to listen to based on how he's feeling that day. He described a recent gym session where his playlist was an eclectic mix, starting with R&B groups Switch and DeBarge, shifting to the smooth rock of Michael McDonald and The Doobie Brothers, and finishing his workout with Bay Area rap legend E-40.
When asked about who he looked up to in wrestling as a kid, Hobbs' answer was just as varied as his musical taste. He gravitated towards Harlem Heat because, as he put it, "they're from the hood... I'm from the streets, the projects." He thought their attitude and style were cool. He also mentioned being a fan of icons like Stone Cold Steve Austin, D-Generation X, and the nWo. The influence was so strong that he and three friends even called themselves the Four Horsemen back in middle school.
One of the most interesting parts of our discussion was when Hobbs spoke about his hometown of East Palo Alto and its relationship with the more affluent Palo Alto. He explained that there is a significant economic disparity between the two areas, with Palo Alto being home to a great deal of wealth from the tech industry, while East Palo Alto has a lower median income. This is reflected in the housing, with large, expensive homes in Palo Alto and smaller, more modest houses in his hometown. He also touched on the demographic differences, with East Palo Alto having a more diverse population. While acknowledging the historical challenges with crime rates and underfunded schools, Hobbs expressed optimism for the future of his community, citing ongoing development and investment.
When the conversation turned to his inspirations within AEW, I asked Hobbs to name his "Mount Rushmore" for the company. He noted that since the company is still young, some spots are still open, but he had some clear foundational figures in mind. He stated you have to include Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley. He then added Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks, explaining that without those key people, AEW might not have gotten off the ground.
Of course, we had to have a little fun, and I put him on the spot to see if he could name the four presidents on the actual Mount Rushmore. Did he know his history as well as he knows his way around the ring? You'll have to watch the full interview to find out!