Royce Keys has received a concise but meaningful piece of advice from one of WWE’s most enduring figures: protect yourself.
Keys, who made his WWE debut at the Royal Rumble Premium Live Event earlier this year, discussed his interactions with The Undertaker during a recent interview with Hot 97. Asked whether the WWE Hall of Famer had offered him any guidance, Keys did not hesitate before identifying the lesson that has stayed with him.
“Yeah, he has. You know, one thing he’s told me is protect myself. So, enough said right there.”
The message carries obvious weight coming from The Undertaker. Across a career that spanned decades, The Deadman became synonymous with longevity, discipline, physical toughness and an unmatched ability to preserve the mystique of his presentation. The phrase “protect myself” can carry several meanings in professional wrestling, and Keys made clear that he believes Undertaker’s words apply far beyond one specific area of the business.
For more background on this topic, read Shawn Michaels Explains Why WWE Sees Long-Term Potential in Zilla Fatu.
When he was asked whether The Undertaker meant protecting himself in the ring or outside it, Keys answered that he took the advice as covering every part of his life and career.
“You know, all of the above. You know, I walk across the street or walk down the street, people walk away from me and I’m cool with it. I’m cool with it.”
For Keys, that response reflects the imposing aura he has built since arriving in WWE. His presence has become increasingly prominent on Monday Night RAW, particularly following the formation of The 946. The group’s emergence has put Keys in the middle of a major confrontation with The Bloodline, turning what began as an introduction to WWE audiences into an escalating all-out war.
A Lesson From One of WWE’s Most Protected Personas
The Undertaker’s career offers a clear example of why Keys would place significance on that advice. For years, The Deadman was presented as a larger-than-life force whose entrance, appearance and conduct all helped define the character. The Undertaker’s mystique was not limited to what happened once the bell rang. It was reinforced through consistency, carefully maintained presentation and the sense that fans were seeing a performer who existed in a world of his own.
Keys did not elaborate on any specific conversation beyond the advice he shared. Still, his interpretation points to a broad understanding of what it means to protect oneself as a WWE Superstar. That can mean safeguarding physical well-being in a demanding environment, remaining aware of one’s surroundings, maintaining the credibility of a persona, and carrying oneself in a way that matches the role being played on television.
His comment about people moving away from him on the street was delivered with confidence. Rather than viewing that reaction as a problem, Keys said he is comfortable with it. In the context of his current WWE role, it fits the identity he has established: someone who does not seek approval, does not soften his image and is entirely willing to let his reputation speak before he does.
That attitude also complements the advice itself. “Protect myself” is a short statement, but it is not passive. It suggests vigilance. It suggests setting boundaries. And in the world Keys occupies on RAW, it can also mean ensuring that rivals understand the consequences of stepping too close.
Keys’ WWE Rise Has Accelerated Since the Royal Rumble
Keys’ WWE journey has moved quickly since his Royal Rumble debut. After initially appearing on and off WWE television for several months, he found a more defined direction with the creation of The 946. The group gave Keys a platform to move from being a new arrival into a central participant in one of RAW’s major conflicts.
The 946’s collision with The Bloodline has been particularly significant. The Bloodline’s influence has shaped WWE programming for an extended period, and any group that chooses to challenge them immediately places itself under an intense spotlight. Keys and his allies have not backed away from that attention. Instead, The 946 has embraced the fight, with Keys serving as the group’s leader.
That position naturally comes with increased pressure. A leader is expected to set the tone, absorb the consequences of decisions and stand at the front when rivalries become personal. Keys’ remarks about Undertaker’s advice suggest he understands the need to be deliberate not only in the ring, but in how he handles the larger demands surrounding a growing WWE profile.
There is also a strong thematic connection between Keys’ current story and his words about self-protection. A war with The Bloodline is not portrayed as an ordinary rivalry. It is a fight against a powerful, coordinated unit with its own history of asserting control. To lead The 946 into that situation requires confidence, awareness and the willingness to remain guarded.
Why ‘All of the Above’ Matters
Keys’ answer that The Undertaker likely meant “all of the above” is notable because it avoids reducing the advice to one narrow interpretation. Wrestlers routinely face physical risks inside the ring, where timing, conditioning and trust are essential. But the demands of WWE extend beyond match time. The travel, public attention, pressure to perform and need to maintain a recognizable identity can all test a performer in different ways.
For a newer WWE name entering a major storyline, those demands can become even more pronounced. Keys has already been placed opposite one of the company’s most recognizable factions, and that exposure makes every appearance more important. The words of an established Hall of Famer may be especially valuable at a point when a performer is still defining how he wants to be perceived.
Keys’ demeanor indicates that intimidation is not something he is trying to avoid. He appears to see it as part of the connection between his personality and the way people respond to him. His statement that he is “cool with it” conveys a willingness to let others keep their distance, whether that distance is physical, emotional or rooted in the perception that Keys is not somebody to be casually approached.
That does not require additional explanation from him. As he said after relaying Undertaker’s words, “enough said right there.” The implication is that the advice stands on its own. Its value does not depend on a lengthy breakdown.
The Undertaker’s Influence Continues
The Undertaker remains an influential voice within WWE long after the conclusion of his full-time in-ring career. His legacy is tied to landmark matches, championship success and a character that became one of the most recognizable in professional wrestling history. Just as important, he is frequently viewed as a figure whose knowledge of the profession extends well beyond moves and match structure.
For Keys, even a brief piece of advice from someone with that background has clear significance. The exchange does not indicate that Undertaker is directing Keys’ career or shaping every part of The 946’s conflict with The Bloodline. What it does show is that Keys has heard a message from a WWE legend that he considers worth carrying forward.
As The 946 continues its battle with The Bloodline on RAW, Keys will have opportunities to show what that message looks like in practice. His group is involved in a volatile situation, and protecting himself may mean being prepared for whatever comes next from a rival faction that has rarely tolerated challenges to its position.
For now, Keys has summed up the guidance in the same direct style that has defined his rise: protect yourself. Whether that means inside the ropes, away from the cameras or in preserving the forceful identity he brings to WWE television, Keys believes The Undertaker intended every part of it.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.