Jeff Cobb Heard Rumors He Would Be Paired With Bronson Reed - Fightful
Cobb said second-guessing himself after his WWE release made him question his future, but friends and NJPW’s G1 Climax 36 pulled him back.
- On the Insight Podcast, Jeff Cobb revealed that WWE considered naming him 'Jafar' before he settled on JC Mateo. Cobb noted the name, suggested by Drew McIntyre, did not reflect his Polynesian, Hawaiian, or Guam heritage.
- After signing with WWE in May 2025, Cobb received a list of potential ring names to replace his established identity. He eventually chose JC Mateo, which matched existing ring gear he already owned featuring his initials.
- The selection process included a list of about 60 options, with one page containing random suggestions. Cobb recalled that Bronson Reed's previous WWE name, JONAH, was among the potential options presented during the process.
- Earlier this year, Cobb had a benign cyst removed in Japan during a 15-minute procedure costing $100. He urged fans not to ignore medical warning signs after the health scare.
- Following his WWE release in May 2026, Cobb considered retiring from professional wrestling. He found renewed motivation to return to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, specifically citing G1 Climax 36's impact on his decision.
10 Articles
10 Articles
'Maybe Cancer' — Former WWE Star Reveals Terrifying Health Scare
Former WWE Superstar JC Mateo (now Jeff Cobb) recently opened up about a frightening health scare. The revelation came during his appearance on Chris Van Vliet’s “Insight” podcast. Mateo recalled discovering a lump on the back of his head years before finally having it removed in Japan. The procedure took just 15 minutes. However, the doctor’s unexpected warning left him stunned. The former WWE star said, “Yeah. So I noticed I had this lump on t…
Jeff Cobb Says Jafar Smash Was Potential WWE Name - Fightful
When Jeff Cobb signed with WWE, he became JC Mateo, as many wrestlers who join WWE often change the name they went by in other promotions. The name changing process almost always consists of a wrestler submitting a list of potential names or seeing a long list of potential names. For Cobb, when he got…
Jeff Cobb Recalls Process Of Getting His WWE Name, Unprofessional Meeting With Canyon Ceman
Jeff Cobb continues to peel back the layers of his time in WWE. Despite being a major signing from the world of New Japan Pro Wrestling, Jeff Cobb’s WWE tenure lasted just shy of one year. Upon his arrival, the star was given the name “JC Mateo” and was put into one of SmackDown’s most...
Jeff Cobb Reveals Why He Turned Down WWE Offer In 2021
Former WWE Superstar JC Mateo, better known to wrestling fans as Jeff Cobb, has revealed why he rejected an opportunity to join WWE in 2021, recalling an unusual conversation with former company executive Canyon Ceman. During an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Mateo discussed his negotiations with WWE and explained how a Zoom meeting with […]
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