Add as a preferred source on Google Jeff Cobb may have wrapped up his short WWE run, but it appears the door remains open for him in Japan.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cobb was seen backstage at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku, just days after being let go by WWE alongside Tonga Loa and members of The New Day.
An immediate return, however, would not be that simple. Meltzer noted that Cobb has a non-compete clause that runs through July 24, which would complicate any attempt to put him in the G1 Climax 36, a tournament set to begin on July 11 and hold its finals in August.
In WWE, Cobb was renamed JC Mateo and debuted at Backlash 2025, helping Jacob Fatu and aligning himself with The Bloodline, which was later treated as MFT. His run, however, ended without much fanfare.
Before that, Cobb had a very successful run in NJPW. His last match there was against Hiroshi Tanahashi on April 19.
Cobb was NEVER Openweight Champion, NJPW World Television Champion and a three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He was also part of United Empire, one of the company’s top stables in recent years.