In March, reports stated that Jeff Cobb was listed on WWE’s internal roster, but despite him still appearing in New Japan’s Pro Wrestling, in a new interview with “Kuam News,” Cobb, now known as WWE’s JC Mateo, revealed the timeline of his speech and signed with WWE, who simultaneously put together his work with NJPW.
According to Mateo, he was not contractually declared to NJPW at this time as his previous deal with him expired at the end of January 2025. [NJPW] Mateo did something like a handshake agreement, two months later, not on the contract, not on the contract, but rather a handshake agreement. It then came into effect on April 21st. My last New Japan professional wrestling match was on April 19th.
Mateo’s deal with WWE initially began with a tryout in 2014, which proved to have failed for him. Still, WWE kept him on the radar and returned to 2020. Mateo mostly joined them in the summer of 2021. However, on this occasion, Mateo declined the offer of contract due to his loyalty to the NJPW and flexibility in attachment.
Mateo confirmed that discussions between him and WWE later resumed in November 2024. This time, he officially put his pen on paper and later joined the “WWE Smackdown” brand. “[We] There were several Zoom meetings and there were concerns about what I had. They almost just said it. Do it whatever you want. “Look, here I am a few months later,” he said.
If you are using any of the quotes in this article, please credit “Kuam News” with AH/T and to Wrestling Inc. for transcription.
