Jeff Cobb Addresses NJPW Return Following WWE Release

It didn't take long for Jeff Cobb to make his return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling following his WWE release as the former JC Mateo appeared at the NJPW G1 Climax final on Sunday, August 16.

Following a multi-man tag between United Empire and Unbound Co., Callum Newman looked set to attack Daiki Nagai when Jeff Cobb arrived to make the save, turning his back on his former United Empire stablemate in the process. Cobb was then announced as the latest member of Unbound Co.

Following the show, Jeff Cobb addressed his NJPW return, noting that he didn't leave New Japan Pro-Wrestling and he was simply on hiatus, making light of his one-year stint outside of the company as part of WWE.

"Hey, I didn't lie. Jeff Cobb didn't leave New Japan. I was just on hiatus. I was on the beaches relaxing, trying to remember what was going on, and I tune into NJPW1972.com… I watched all the matches; I know what's going on. I saw what happened with the United Empire. Callum (Newman), your attitude needs checking. In my mind, you're still that young kid that, 'Hey, Jeff, help me. Help me!' The reason why I took a little hiatus is because when (Will) Ospreay left, I, myself, and the Great-O-Khan, we tried to carry the United Empire into a new generation, into a new high, and you guys let some Hot Topic manager almost kill the Empire. Where were you guys!? All of you Empire members shut your mouth and just let that emo kid talk sh*t to me. Well no more, no more. See, I’m back here in New Japan where the real wrestling is, and I plan to join Unbound Co., because I’m not bounded by anything anymore. I’m not bounded by the knockout corporation. The only knockout I need are the Knock Out Brothers, and the only thing that I need now is to take Callum to the woodshed. Something your mama never did," Cobb stated.

Jeff Cobb previously finished up with New Japan in April 2025 and debuted for WWE one month later at Backlash, joining the MFTs and helping Jacob Fatu to successfully defend the WWE United States Championship.

Cobb signed a three-year deal with WWE, but he was released just one year into his contract, being let go by the company in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42. Cobb was very much used as simply a body in the MFTs and the former Olympian actually asked to wrestle more in the company.

Prior to his WWE run, Jeff Cobb wrestled for NJPW for eight years, finishing up his time in the company as a former NEVER Openweight Champion, NJPW World Television Champion, and three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion with Great-O-Khan and Callum Newman.

Following his return to New Japan, Jeff Cobb will face Callum Newman at Destruction in Kobe on September 27.

H/T Fightful