Released WWE Star Returns To NJPW, Attacks Former Teammate

WWE

An update has emerged on a former WWE star who was released earlier this year, who has now returned to NJPW.

Over 20 in-ring wrestlers were let go by WWE in April, during the latest round of mass talent cuts.

Among these names was Jeff Cobb, with “JC Mateo” moved to the Alumni section of the roster along with his MFT teammate Tonga Loa, as well as Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, on May 2.

Jeff Cobb has now made his return to his former promotion, appearing during the G1 Climax 36 tournament final event on August 16.

Following Callum Newman, HENARE and Great-O-Khan of the United Empire defeating Yuto-Ice, OSKAR and Daiki Nagai of Unbound Company, the two sides continued their brawl around the ringside area.

Gedo then brought out Jeff Cobb, who entered the ring with Callum Newman, his former IWGP Tag Team Championship partner and factionmate. Instead of re-joining the United Empire, Cobb attacked Newman and went on to join Unbound Company.

This marked Cobb’s first appearance for NJPW since April 2025. His last match for the company saw him lose to Hiroshi Tanahashi at the April 19, 2025 Road To Wrestling Dontaku event, following the announcement that he was finishing up with the company at his own request.

Cobb went on to make his WWE debut that May at Backlash, aligning himself with Jacob Fatu and the Bloodline.

Known in WWE as JC Mateo, Jeff Cobb’s run with the company lasted just under a year. Recently speaking about his time in WWE, Cobb admitted that things could’ve worked out better for him, but noted that he will always be grateful for his run, and for the people he met while working for WWE.

The fans weren’t the only people left scratching their heads following Jeff Cobb’s departure, with WWE Hall of Famer AJ Styles also noting that he didn’t understand Cobb’s release.

Recent reports indicated that Cobb was originally planned for a “big push” following him joining WWE, with plans ultimately scrapped for singles feuds with “key people”.

Cobb didn’t really get the chance to establish himself as a single wrestler in WWE, with his last one-on-one match for the company seeing him defeat Jimmy Uso on the June 27, 2025 SmackDown episode.

This was just one of four one-on-one matches Cobb had during his entire time with the company.

A former NJPW NEVER Openweight, World Television, and IWGP Tag Team champion, the Japanese promotion has presented Jeff Cobb as a star in the past, so feels like the best place for him as he re-establishes himself post-WWE exit.

JEFF COBB RETURNS TO NJPW! 🔥

Cobb (fka JC Mateo in WWE) attacked United Empire's Callum Newman and officially joined Unbound Co!pic.twitter.com/G2fTRDnbxG

— WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) August 16, 2026

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• jeff cobb
• wwe
• NJPW
• Release
• Return

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