Jeff Cobb: I Didn’t Leave New Japan, I Was Just On Hiatus

Jeff Cobb is back with NJPW.

At the NJPW G1 Climax 36 final show, Jeff Cobb made his return to the promotion. Cobb stood against his former United Empire stablemate Callum Newman and aligned himself with Unbound Co.

After his return, Cobb delivered his backstage comments. He said he never left New Japan, as he was just on hiatus. He then went on to address Newman.

“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.”

Since May 2025, Cobb had been with WWE under the name J.C. Mateo. In May 2026, Cobb was let go from the company.

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