Jeff Cobb States He Was Tied Down by a “Major US Promotion” But Now He is Free

By: Lewis Carlan

On Aug. 16th, New Japan Pro-Wrestling saw the return of a powerhouse superstar as Jeff Cobb made his first appearance for the promotion in over a year.

Cobb’s had left NJPW was back in April 2025 to join the WWE where he wrestled under the name JC Mateo as part of The Bloodline. He was released from the WWE on May 2nd 2026 and has made his full fledged return to NJPW.

Jeff Cobb, formerly a member of the United Empire, came face to face with the Untied Empire leader Callum Newman on Aug. 16th and everyone soon found out that he had aligned himself with Unbound Co. after he attacked Newman.

Cobb’s first official match back in NJPW was on Sept. 5th as he teamed with Unbound Co. teammate Shingo Takagi and they defeated the United Empire duo of Callum Newman & Zane Jay.

As reported by Tokyo Sports, Jeff Cobb admitted he missed competing in NJPW while addressing his new feud with Callum Newman. Cobb stated he was bound by a “major US promotion” [WWE] but now he is free and the Unbound Juggernaut.

From Jeff Cobb:

“I missed Cerulean Blue. I missed the lion logo, and I missed Japanese-style pro wrestling. (Addressing Callum Newman) Keep talking big all you want. I have no intention of defeating you in Kobe and becoming the new leader of UE. My work with that unit is done. Right now, I am the Unbound Juggernaut. For a year, I was bound by a major U.S. pro-wrestling promotion. And now I am free. Get out of my way.”

During his post-match backstage interview on Sept. 5th, Cobb continued his verbal attack on Newman.

From Jeff Cobb:

“After I left, all you did was take a group that had reached great heights and lead them down to a lower status. As I said at Ryogoku on August 16, I’m going to do in Kobe on September 27 what your mom didn’t do. I’m going to teach you a lesson. Callum, go ahead and talk all the big talk you want.”

Jeff Cobb is scheduled to go one on one against Callum Newman on Sept. 27th at NJPW DESTRUCTION in KOBE in a highly anticipated bout.

(All English quote translations via Deepl.com)