Is Jeff Cobb WWE bound?
Several weeks ago, it was rumored that WWE was very interested in New Japan Pro-Wrestling star Jeff Cobb. With the 42-year-old’s contract coming up, there seemed to be a real possibility that the popular NJPW star could finally make a splash on WWE television. However, Cobb went on a troll world tour about him leaving New Japan.
It also seemed less likely that he would leave when he won the IWGP Tag Team Championship at Sakura Genesis.
But that all changed today.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has just released a statement regarding the newly crowned IWGP Tag Team Champion and Cobb’s time in WWE is coming to an end very soon.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling has come to terms with the departure of Jeff Cobb at his request.
With Cobb one half of the IWGP Tag team Champions, those titles have now been vacated.
Cobb’s final match in NJPW will take place in Korakuen Hall on April 19 against Hiroshi Tanahashi.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling profoundly apologises for the sudden nature of this news and joins fans in wishing Cobb the best in all his future endeavours.
Cobb’s done nearly everything he can do in New Japan and a fresh environment will do him some good. There was a point where AEW was interested in Jeff Cobb, but reports claim that the company doesn’t expect him to sign with them.
Should WWE sign Cobb then this is a good get for the company. Given his age, there’s no telling how far the company will push him, but he can still go in the ring and Cobb is solid on the mic. The former NEVER Openweight Champion doesn’t need NXT, but it wouldn’t be surprising if that’s where he begins. It’s always possible that Cobb signs with AEW or TNA Wrestling, but it would be shocking if he opts to not go to WWE at this point.
There’s no word on what New Japan plans on doing with IWGP Tag Team titles. They could do the freebird rule as Cobb and Callum Newman are members of The United Empire faction so Newman can instantly replace Cobb, but we probably won’t find out until April 19th.
Do you want to see Jeff Cobb in the WWE?