NJPW Champion Quits Company; Title Now Vacant

NJPW has announced the sudden exit of a major star with one of the company’s signature championships now vacated.

On March 13, it was reported that WWE is taking a close look at signing Jeff Cobb. The 42-year-old powerhouse has been working with New Japan Pro Wrestling since 2017 but that relationship has now come to an abrupt end despite Cobb holding one of NJPW’s major championships.

NJPW has now released a statement confirming that Jeff Cobb has left the promotion and that the IWGP Tag Team Championship has been vacated although he still has one more match left to compete in on April 19:

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.

Jeff Cobb and Callum Newman only won the IWGP Tag Team Championship at Sakura Genesis on April 5 when they defeated Hiromu Takahashi and Tetsuya Naito.

Where Is Jeff Cobb Going After NJPW Exit?

In one report, Cobb was claimed to have already been listed on WWE’s internal roster. Cobb held talks with WWE previously and came “really close” to signing in mid-2021 before deciding to stay with NJPW.

Jeff Cobb has wrestled 10 matches in AEW previously but despite these appearances with the company, those within AEW aren’t expecting Cobb to become All Elite.