Tag: jeff cobb

Update on Jeff Cobb following WWE release | Exclusive 

Posted on by Joseph Currier

It sounds like Jeff Cobb, newly a free agent following his release from WWE, still has a strong relationship with NJPW.

Dave Meltzer reports in the new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Cobb was backstage at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku at the start of May. It’s believed that Cobb still has a residence in Japan, though it’s unconfirmed if he’ll be returning to NJPW once his 90-day non-compete clause is up.

Meltzer wrote:

  • Jeff Cobb was backstage at Dontaku. I believe he still has a place in Japan. Unless WWE gives his special dispensation, he would not be able to return in time for G-1 if he does end up here, as the non-compete ends on 7/24. We don’t know if that is what he’ll do. New Japan has its own financial issues. It wouldn’t surprise me if AEW picked up Cobb, but the reality is his chances of going to AEW as a star were much higher one year ago. WWE often enhances someone’s value, but Cobb would not be one of those people.

Cobb had a year-long run with WWE after debuting for the company in May 2025. He was given the name “JC Mateo” and inserted into the Bloodline story as one of Solo Sikoa’s MFTs. But Cobb’s WWE stint was widely considered to be underwhelming, never living up to the time he spent in NJPW. He was released in WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster cuts.

In NJPW, Cobb was one of the promotion’s top foreign wrestlers. He held the NEVER Openweight Championship, IWGP Tag Team titles, and NJPW World Television title.

The 43-year-old Cobb did work some matches for AEW during his NJPW career. He has previous experience in Lucha Underground, ROH, PWG, and represented Guam as an amateur wrestler in the 2004 Olympics.

Fight Game: Ted Turner memories, WWE Backlash preview

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I return with a brand-new Fight Game to discuss some of the most topical things going on in pro wrestling this week.

You can also watch full video of the show below.

We gave out our thumbs up and thumbs down before jumping into the major topics of the week which included:

  • Our early memories of Ted Turner and when we understood what he meant to pro wrestling
  • The New Day and Jeff Cobb being released by WWE and whether or not AEW should sign them
  • The path to the rematch between Darby Allin and MJF
  • WWE Backlash preview

Then, we finished up with our Observe This segment, talking about stories from Dave Meltzer’s 1985 Observer Book. Specifically, we covered the time when Dave retired the newsletter in April of 1985.

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

Report: Contract length on one of WWE’s signings in 2025

Posted on by Bryan Rose

More details are out regarding one of WWE’s signings this year.

Jeff Cobb left NJPW earlier this year and signed with WWE, quickly associating himself with Solo Sikoa. According to a new Fightful report, Cobb signed a three-year deal, which will take him through the spring of 2028. 

Cobb’s NJPW departure caused controversy at the time as he was one half of the IWGP Tag Team Champions. As a result, the company announced that those titles would be vacated. Cobb went on to have his final match in NJPW on April 19 against Hiroshi Tanahashi.

At Backlash, Cobb made his debut by helping Jacob Fatu retain the United States Championship against LA Knight. Cobb’s name was quickly changed to JC Mateo, and over the course of the year became part of Solo Sikoa’s MFT group with Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Talla Tonga.

On the most recent episode of SmackDown, the MFTs confronted The Wyatt Sicks. The confrontation ended up becoming a brawl, with everyone being thrown out of the ring except for Erik Rowan and Talla Tonga. The two traded blows until Rowan booted Talla out of the ring.

WOL: It’s always ‘because of the fans’

Posted on by Jim Valley

Image: WWE

It’s Saturday and that means it’s time for Wrestling Observer Live with Jim Valley.

Jeff Cobb impressed in his WWE SmackDown in-ring debut as JC Mateo Friday, but the Greensboro crowd also thought most everything on the show was awesome even when some things weren’t.

On Monday, Becky Lynch turned heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. Charlotte is upset BECAUSE OF THE FANS. John Cena turned heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. The Rock is a heel BECAUSE OF THE FANS. Literally, FOUR top stars are mad BECAUSE OF THE FANS ALL AT THE SAME TIME.

Plus, Jim talks AEW Collision Beach Break from Chicago, NWA Crockett Cup from the 2300 Arena, Best of the Super Juniors, and more.

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New name revealed for Jeff Cobb on WWE SmackDown

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jeff Cobb has a new name.

During the opening segment of WWE SmackDown, Solo Sikoa was talking about the events of Backlash when he brought up Cobb’s debut, referring to him as “JC.” Later, when Sikoa made his way to the ring for his Money in the Bank qualifying match, Cobb was introduced under his new name: JC Mateo. WWE filed a trademark for that name back on May 10.

Sikoa emerged victorious, earning a spot in the Money in the Bank ladder match that will take place next month. However LA Knight, who was attacked Sikoa’s group earlier in the night, came out with a steel chair. Nick Alids came out and made a match between Knight and Mateo, the latter of whom picked up the win with the tour of the islands.

At Backlash last weekend, Mateo made his WWE debut attacking Knight during the United States title fatal four-way match. At the time, he was identified as Jeff Cobb. The distraction allowed Fatu to retain the United States title, though he appeared puzzled by Mateo’s help.

Jeff Cobb makes WWE debut at Backlash

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Former NJPW star Jeff Cobb has officially arrived in WWE — and he’ll be playing a part in the next chapter of The Bloodline’s story.

Cobb made his WWE debut by helping Jacob Fatu retain the United States Championship at Backlash on Saturday night. Though Fatu got help from Solo Sikoa and Cobb, it did not appear that he wanted any assistance. The angle saw Fatu look confused at what was going on as the debuting Cobb obliterated LA Knight.

The title match was a fatal four-way with Fatu defending against Knight, Drew McIntyre, and Damian Priest. The latter two were taken out of the equation during the match when, after fighting in the crowd, Priest gave McIntyre a South of Heaven chokeslam through tables set up in a production area.

Knight then had Fatu in position for a diving elbow through the announce table, but Sikoa moved Fatu out of the way before Knight could jump. Knight tried to go after Sikoa but was laid out by Cobb, who blindsided him with a clothesline. With no disqualifications in a fatal four-way, Cobb beat down Knight and sent him back into the ring so Fatu could score the pin. Despite looking uncertain about Cobb’s involvement, Fatu hit a double-jump moonsault and pinned Knight to retain the U.S. title.

“That’s one of the biggest free agents on the planet,” Michael Cole said on commentary. “That’s Jeff Cobb.”

News first broke in March that the 42-year-old Cobb was expected to join WWE. His final match for NJPW took place on April 19. Cobb, who represented Guam as an amateur wrestler in the 2004 Olympics, is a former IWGP Tag Team Champion and NJPW World Television Champion. He’s also competed for Lucha Underground, ROH, and PWG in the past.

Fatu won the United States Championship from Knight at WrestleMania 41, and tonight was his first title defense.

Potential WWE Backlash Spoiler: Debut planned for the show

Posted on by Jake Skudder

A debut is “planned” for WWE Backlash tonight, according to a new report from Fightful Select ahead of the Premium Live Event. The Fightful Select Patreon subscription service noted that former New Japan Pro Wrestling star Jeff Cobb is planned for the show tonight.

“Jeff Cobb has absolutely been discussed for WWE Backlash. As of Friday he was planned for the show” it was revealed in an early scoops thread for the show tonight. It was also noted that “Cobb had been discussed for involvement with a Bloodline-related story at one point.”

Jeff Cobb WWE Debut

It is not currently confirmed that Jeff Cobb will be making his WWE debut tonight, but it does appear as though that is the working plan. It has also not been made public exactly how he may be making his debut for the company, although some sort of interference in the US Title Fatal Four Way would make sense, as Bloodline member Jacob Fatu is of course the reigning champion.

Cobb’s final match in NJPW took place on April 19, where he faced Hiroshi Tanahashi during the Road to Wrestling Dontaku tour. After the bout, Cobb expressed gratitude to NJPW, his United Empire stablemates, and the fans, marking the end of his nearly eight-year tenure with the promotion.

Fight Game: WWE WrestleMania 41 countdown

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Jeremy Finestone and I are in Las Vegas for our second special edition of The Fight Game Podcast.

The episode was also streamed on the F4WOnline YouTube channel and you catch watch the video version below.

We talked about the following:

  • The Smackdown go-home show
  • Jeff Cobb’s final match for New Japan Pro Wrestling
  • AEW Collision from Thursday
  • Rapid fire questions about WrestleMania

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WOR: WWE Raw report, Jeff Cobb & Mariah May updates, news

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Image: WWE

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the (likely) WWE futures for Jeff Cobb and Mariah May, Ryan Nemeth’s lawsuit, ROH adding a new title, New Japan lineups, Arena Mexico, the Raw report, and tons more.

A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Jeff Cobb heading to WWE after leaving New Japan, Stephanie Vaquer talks what led her to joining WWE

13:57: Mariah May’s status

23:38: PAC update, Ryan Nemeth-AEW lawsuit moves to arbitration, new ROH Women’s Pure title announced

35:08: New NJPW lineups, Arena Mexico notes, ratings

46:56: WWE Raw recap

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Jeff Cobb leaving NJPW, IWGP Tag Team titles vacated

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Jeff Cobb is leaving NJPW.

New Japan has announced that Cobb will be leaving the promotion, and as a result the IWGP Tag Team titles he currently holds with Callum Newman have been vacated. His final match will be on April 19 at Korakuen Hall when he faces Hiroshi Tanahashi in a singles match.

The company wrote the following on their website: “New Japan Pro-Wrestling has come to terms with the departure of Jeff Cobb at his request. With Cobb one half of the IWGP Tag team Champions, those titles have now been vacated. Cobb’s final match in NJPW will take place in Korakuen Hall on April 19 against Hiroshi Tanahashi. New Japan Pro-Wrestling profoundly apologises for the sudden nature of this news and joins fans in wishing Cobb the best in all his future endeavours.”

Last month it was reported by Fightful that WWE was interested in signing Cobb, with one source indicating he was already on the internal roster. Dave Meltzer reported that while there had been talks, there was no confirmation of a deal. Cobb’s contract with NJPW expired earlier this year, but continued working for the company as a free agent.

In a press conference on Monday, Newman was seen with both belts and mentioned recent backstage comments made by Cobb about wanting to face IWGP World Champion Hirooki Goto, saying now he’s the one issuing the challenge to the champion. The duo had only held the titles for nine days, defeating Tetsuya Naito and Hiromu Takahashi at Sakura Genesis.

Fight Game: John Cena’s first heel promo

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca and I are back to talk about the major topics in the world of wrestling on this week’s Fight Game Podcast.

We kicked off the show by giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going into our Top Five topics which included:

  • John’s thoughts on the Jeff Cobb rumors
  • New Japan Cup finals
  • John Cena’s first heel promo
  • Jon Moxley’s back and Toni Storm vs. Megan Bayne build
  • Trick Williams/Oba Femi/Je’Von Evans

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Fight Game: Who will dethrone Jon Moxley for the AEW World title?

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

John LaRocca is out of town, so Paul Fontaine joined me on this week’s Fight Game which you can listen to or watch below.

We kicked off the show by giving out our Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down winners and losers of the week before going into our Top Five topics which included:

  • Jeff Cobb
  • The road to WrestleMania 41
  • Moxley vs. Copeland 2
  • Who is set up to finally dethrone Moxley?
  • NXT Roadblock
  • New Japan Cup quarterfinals

Click Here to Listen (sub needed)

WOR: Jeff Cobb updates, AEW Revolution PPV buys, road to WrestleMania

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Jeff Cobb and the possibility of WWE
  • AEW Revolution PPV buys
  • The road to WrestleMania
  • Queen of the Ring box office
  • TKO boxing ideas

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

WOL: FUN FRIDAY!, WWE SmackDown, TNA Sacrifice

Posted on by Mike Sempervive

Mike Sempervive is back on FUN FRIDAY and there’s a lot to get into. WWE’s European tour kicks off tonight with SmackDown in Spain, a preview of tonight’s TNA Sacrifice, Jeff Cobb, visual aids made for the radio, your calls and a ton more. A fun show as always, so check it out~!

Click here for the commercial-free download (subscription required)