Over the last few years, we have seen WWE continue to add up-and-coming wrestlers and unsung indy stars. It’s been a bit of a culture shift for the promotion, which had previously relied on homegrown talent for nearly a decade – save for a few free agent signings here and there. Now, it appears they have gone mining for a diamond in the rough once again.
42-year-old Jeff Cobb is reportedly on WWE’s radar, and the free agent could be in the fold soon. He would certainly bring an impressive resume along with him. A major star in Japan, the Hawaiian native has never really caught on with a major American promotion. At least, not in any way that actually helped advance his career or his standing in the States.
At 5’10” and 265 pounds, with a background in amateur wrestling and an appearance at the 2004 Summer Olympics, Cobb is a ferocious fireplug in the ring, and he’s been a champion internationally on several occasions. However, he’s been underused, under-valued, and under-exposed for several years now. So, his signing with World Wrestling Entertainment would likely be a win-win situation all the way around.
Jeff Cobb Has Been A Prospect For Far Too Long
The Star Made His Name In Japan And Ring Of Honor
For fans who have watched Jeff Cobb over the years, it seems as if it was inevitable that he would be a major star in a large promotion someday. And while he did achieve success in Ring of Honor – winning the ROH World TV title – and had an odd stint with AEW, his greatest achievements have occurred overseas. A 15+ years veteran, Cobb had his first big breakout under a mask: hardcore Lucha Underground fans will remember him as “The Monster” Matanza Cueto, who won the Lucha Underground Championship in his debut match, and lost it to none other than Rey Mysterio.
In New Japan, Cobb is a former two-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and World Television Champion, and was one of the most successful American grapplers to set foot in the Land of the Rising Sun over the past decade. A former amateur wrestler, he mixes magnificent mat work with a powerful pro-style. His high-impact arsenal is hard to ignore.
Related
Is AEW’s Malakai Black Coming Back to WWE? This Mysterious Vignette May Be Proof
The man who once thrilled NXT viewers as Aleister Black looks to be back in WWE soon.
Unfortunately for Cobb, he has spent much of his career as a wrestling nomad. At no point during his tenure with ROH or AEW was he ever properly utilized. Strangely, he was never given a full-time contract with AEW, despite Tony Khan’s eagerness to sign big international stars. At 42, Cobb doesn’t have a lot of time left to land a spot in one of the major US wrestling companies. And if the reports are correct, that wait appears to be over.
Cobb Could Be A Force On The WWE Main Roster
The Powerhouse Would Match Up Well Against Several WWE Stars
Needless to say, when you look at WWE’s current roster, there are a lot of big bodies that Jeff Cobb could match up with. One of the first names that would come to mind is Bron Breakker, thanks to both men’s powerful suplexes and ability to slug it out in the ring. Other potential match-ups include stars like Sheamus, Drew McIntyre, or Braun Strowman.
Perhaps what makes Cobb unique and a perfect fit for WWE is that he has natural charisma – something that no company has brought out of him – at least not up to this point. More than just a hulking bruiser, he could evolve into one of the promotion’s more intriguing stars with the right gimmick or angle. With his Pacific Islander background, Cobb could be easily inserted into the Bloodline story at any time. That’s something that Triple H and Shawn Michaels can work with and develop.
While it hasn’t been confirmed that Jeff Cobb is officially putting pen to paper yet, it’s likely to happen soon. He never had a place in the upper card with AEW, so there’s no need to return there. A trip to the big time (via a stint with NXT) looks to be his future. And for someone who’s been waiting this long for an opportunity, that future could be very bright with WWE.
Source link
