Jeff Cobb has already resurfaced in familiar territory following his recent WWE release, and new details suggest he remains closely connected to NJPW.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cobb was seen backstage at NJPW Wrestling Dontaku at the beginning of May. His presence has fueled talk about a possible return to the promotion, where he previously found significant success. It is also believed that Cobb still maintains a residence in Japan, though there is no confirmation yet on whether he plans to officially rejoin NJPW once he is free to compete again.

Dave Meltzer noted that timing could be a factor in any potential return, particularly due to WWE’s standard non-compete clause.

“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’s WWE run lasted about a year after he debuted in May 2025. He was introduced under the name JC Mateo and was placed into the Bloodline storyline as part of Solo Sikoa’s group. Despite the high-profile angle, his time in WWE did not meet expectations and was widely viewed as underwhelming compared to his prior work.

He was among the names released during WWE’s roster cuts that followed WrestleMania 42.

Before joining WWE, Cobb built a strong reputation in NJPW. He held multiple championships there, including the NEVER Openweight Championship, the IWGP Tag Team Titles, and the NJPW World Television Championship. His performances made him one of the promotion’s top international stars.

Cobb has also appeared in AEW during his NJPW tenure and brings experience from several promotions, including ROH, PWG, and Lucha Underground. Outside of pro wrestling, he represented Guam in amateur wrestling at the 2004 Olympic Games.

For now, Cobb’s next move remains uncertain, but his NJPW ties and free agent status leave several options open once his non-compete clause expires.

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