---
title: "AJ Styles Says He ‘Doesn’t Understand’ WWE Releasing JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb): ‘I’m Sure They Have Their Reasons, Not Sure What They Are’"
canonical: "https://wrestletalk.com/news/aj-styles-doesnt-understand-wwe-releasing-jc-mateo-jeff-cobb/"
type: "post"
language: "en-US"
author: "Connel Rumsey"
section: "News"
published: "2026-05-11T20:00:51Z"
modified: "2026-05-11T20:22:03Z"
---

# AJ Styles Says He ‘Doesn’t Understand’ WWE Releasing JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb): ‘I’m Sure They Have Their Reasons, Not Sure What They Are’

WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles says he ‘doesn’t understand’ WWE releasing JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb) in it’s recent release wave.

WWE held it’s latest round of talent releases back on April 24, [with 25 confirmed names being released](https://wrestletalk.com/news/wwe-stars-released-wyatt-sicks-nikki-cross-more/) from their contract.

Following the initial wave, it was later reported that four more names had left the company, those being the New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, as well as the MFTs’ JC Mateo and Tonga Loa.

[JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb) made his WWE debut at last year’s Backlash](https://wrestletalk.com/news/jc-mateo-big-wwe-push-planned/) event, with his entire WWE career coming just shy of one year.

## AJ Styles ‘Doesn’t Understand’ JC Mateo’s WWE Release

[Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro Podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qSV7BH6yddA), WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles spoke about the recent releases, including JC Mateo.

AJ said that he ‘doesn’t understand’ WWE’s decision to release JC Mateo, but understands that the company likely had their reason.

He said:

*“Jeff is awesome. Again, I don’t understand it, but I’m sure there’s reasons. I’m sure that WWE has their reasons, not sure what they are, they seem to be doing pretty well right now, but there’s always reasons for everything.”*

***If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.***

## The Next Chapter Of The Bloodline Story In WWE

Since Roman Reigns’ World Heavyweight Championship victory over CM Punk at WWE WrestleMania 42, the latest chapter of the Bloodline story has been playing out on Raw and SmackDown.

Jacob Fatu stepped up to challenge Roman Reigns at WWE Backlash on Saturday night, with the Usos urging Jacob to fall in line with the Tribal Chief, while Jacob vows to take the World Heavyweight Championship to provide for his family, just as Roman did before him.

Their match at Backlash ended with Reigns picking up the win over Jacob, with Jacob choking out Roman with the Tongan Death Grip after the match, which resulted in Roman telling Jacob that it was his ‘last night here’.

On SmackDown, there has been some issues with Tama Tonga and the rest of the MFTs dating back many weeks, with Shinsuke Nakamura attempting to bring out a different side of Tama, breaking him away from the rest of the group.

Tama Tonga was defeated by Royce Keys on last week’s WWE SmackDown show.

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