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Jeff Cobb Given New WWE Name

By John Canton • Published May 17, 2025 10:00 EDT
Jeff Cobb WWE

Jeff Cobb has a new name in WWE, and he also won his first match against a former champion.

Former NJPW wrestler Jeff Cobb officially made his WWE debut at the WWE Backlash PLE. In a Fatal 4-Way match for the United States Title, Cobb attacked LA Knight to help Jacob Fatu retain the US Title.

It was done in a way that made it obvious that Cobb was brought in by Solo Sikoa to help Fatu while Fatu had no idea what was happening.

In a show-opening promo on WWE SmackDown, Solo welcomed “JC” to the family without saying his name. Solo said that when Roman Reigns lost to Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania, they lost everything, and now he will take it all back. Solo talked about how it starts with winning the Money in the Bank briefcase and bringing the WWE Title back where it belongs.

There was a bit of an argument between Fatu and Solo, who wanted Fatu to say “I love you Solo” like he used to say it. Instead, Fatu said it quickly and without enthusiasm. Solo clarified that everything he was doing was being done to help Fatu. LA Knight crashed the promo, attacked JC, and left through the crowd.

Later in the show, Solo Sikoa won a triple threat match to qualify for the Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match. After it was over, LA Knight returned to fight with JC. That led to SmackDown GM Nick Aldis booking a match right away.

JC Mateo (Formerly Jeff Cobb) Defeats LA Knight On WWE SmackDown

Before the match between the newcomer JC and LA Knight, it was confirmed that the former Jeff Cobb’s name in WWE would be JC Mateo. They only called him “JC” before that, but it appears he has a full name. The commentary team of Joe Tessitore and Wade Barrett mentioned Cobb’s past in promotions like New Japan and Lucha Underground.

The match between JC and LA was even most of the way. Knight was distracted by Solo and Fatu on the floor, so he jumped on them from the apron. This allowed JC to recover in the ring.

At the end of the match, LA Knight jumped from the apron into the ring, where JC Mateo caught him and hit a spinning slam called Tour of Islands, which is a scoop powerslam.

In his first official WWE match, JC Mateo beat a former two-time US Champion, LA Knight, to show that Mateo will be a force moving forward.