JC Mateo, known worldwide as Jeff Cobb, recently made his long-awaited WWE debut at the 2025 Backlash Premium Live Event, aligning with Solo Sikoa in a move that immediately turned heads. Now, in a candid new interview with KUAM News, Mateo shared the journey that brought him to this career-defining moment — a decade in the making.
Mateo revealed that WWE had been on his radar since a 2014 tryout, but he turned down an official offer in 2020, choosing to wait until the timing and conditions were right.
“I wanted everything to be right,” Mateo explained. “Talks restarted in November 2024, and this time, they came back with, ‘Okay. Whatever you want, let’s do it.’ And lo and behold, here I am a few months later.”
Though his WWE contract became effective on April 21, 2025, Mateo continued working with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) on a handshake agreement until April 19. His final NJPW match marked the end of a highly respected run before officially stepping onto WWE’s global stage.
Reflecting on his Backlash debut, Mateo admitted to a wave of nerves — unsure whether WWE fans would recognize him on such a massive platform.
“It’s always scary when you’re gonna debut on WWE and you’re kind of like, ‘Oh man, I hope the people know who I am.’ Hearing that reaction firsthand was like — very… thank goodness their camera didn’t zoom in on my arms, but the goosebumps, it was there for sure.”
Despite initial branding concerns, fans were reassured when WWE announcers referred to him as “Jeff Cobb” on-air, cementing his identity for longtime followers.
“People would know that — oh yeah, that’s Jeff Cobb,” Mateo said, acknowledging the instant recognition.
Following his impactful debut alongside Solo Sikoa, Mateo made his in-ring debut last week on Friday Night SmackDown, officially launching what could be a major chapter in his wrestling journey.
Known for his explosive power, Olympic background, and international acclaim, Jeff Cobb’s arrival in WWE adds another layer of intensity to the Bloodline saga and injects fresh energy into the SmackDown roster.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for continued coverage on JC Mateo’s WWE run, Bloodline developments, and exclusive insight from the world of professional wrestling.
