WWE Releases JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, Exposing Faction Booking Woes

Key facts

• JC Mateo (formerly Jeff Cobb) was released on May 2, 2026, less than a year into a three-year contract signed in 2025.
• Tonga Loa was moved to WWE's alumni section on the company website, with multiple sources confirming his departure.
• Mateo's final WWE match was April 24 on SmackDown, teaming with Tama Tonga.
• Tonga Loa's most recent appearance was April 13 on Monday Night Raw.
• MJF, the AEW World Champion, mocked Mateo's booking on February 18, 2026, tweeting: 'Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.'
• Tonga Loa won the WWE Tag Team Titles as part of The Bloodline, holding them from August to October 2024.
• Mateo debuted at WWE Backlash in May 2025 as part of Solo Sikoa's Mega Fight Team (MFT).

Two Departures in a Week

WWE has parted ways with two high-profile wrestlers in the span of days, confirming the releases of JC Mateo and Tonga Loa. Mateo, who signed a three-year contract in 2025 after a celebrated run as Jeff Cobb in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, was officially released on May 2, 2026. Tonga Loa, a former WWE Tag Team Champion during his second stint with the company, was quietly moved to the alumni section of WWE's official website, with multiple independent reports confirming his status.

Mateo's Unfulfilled Promise

Mateo debuted at WWE Backlash in May 2025 under his new ring name, immediately aligning with Solo Sikoa's Mega Fight Team (MFT) on Friday Night SmackDown. Despite the faction's consistent presence in main-event segments and a feud with The Wyatt Sicks, Mateo never received a singles spotlight or sustained momentum. His final match came on April 24, 2026, where he teamed with Tama Tonga. The underutilization became a talking point even among rivals: on February 18, 2026, AEW World Champion MJF tweeted, 'Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.' Kyle Fletcher followed with a jab about 'MFT purgatory,' igniting widespread debate.

Tonga Loa's Second Stint Ends

Tonga Loa returned to WWE at Backlash 2024 in France, joining Solo Sikoa's version of The Bloodline and helping secure a victory over Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. He captured the WWE Tag Team Titles as part of the faction, holding them from August to October 2024. His most recent in-ring appearance was on the April 13 episode of Monday Night Raw. This second run followed an earlier stint from 2009 to 2014, but the company has now moved him to the alumni section, with reports from Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays confirming his departure.

Faction Booking Under Scrutiny

Both Mateo and Tonga Loa were key members of prominent factions—MFT and The Bloodline, respectively—yet neither broke through as an individual star. Mateo, despite his physical tools and proven track record in New Japan, remained a background enforcer. Tonga Loa, though a tag team champion, never became a central figure. The releases have renewed criticism of WWE's handling of talent from rival promotions, particularly New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where both men had established reputations.

What Comes Next for the Released Stars

With both wrestlers now free agents, speculation is mounting about their next moves. Jeff Cobb, as Mateo is still widely known, was once a global wrestling machine in New Japan, holding major championships and facing top heavyweights. Tonga Loa, with his prior experience in WWE and other promotions, could also attract interest. The wrestling world will be watching to see whether they return to New Japan, join All Elite Wrestling, or explore other opportunities.

The bottom line

• JC Mateo's release on May 2, 2026, ends a three-year contract after less than one year, highlighting a failed integration of a top NJPW star.
• Tonga Loa's departure marks the end of his second WWE stint, which included a tag team title reign but limited individual impact.
• MJF's February 2026 tweet mocking Mateo's booking proved prescient, reflecting wider industry criticism of WWE's talent utilization.
• Both wrestlers were part of major SmackDown factions (MFT and The Bloodline) but failed to achieve individual prominence.
• The releases underscore ongoing concerns about WWE's ability to develop talent from rival promotions into main-event stars.
• Mateo and Loa now join a growing list of former NJPW wrestlers who have left WWE after short, underwhelming runs.