JC Mateo Released by WWE After Less Than a Year, MJF's Mockery Proves Prescient

Key facts

• JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb) was released by WWE on May 2, 2026, after signing a three-year deal in 2025.
• His final WWE match was April 24 on SmackDown, teaming with Tama Tonga.
• On February 18, 2026, AEW World Champion MJF tweeted: 'Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.'
• Mateo debuted at WWE Backlash in May 2025 as part of Solo Sikoa's MFT faction.
• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day also mutually parted ways with WWE, ending a 12-year run.
• The New Day hold a record 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns and the longest Raw tag title reign (483 days).
• 16 other superstars, including Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, and the Wyatt Sicks, were cut the previous week.

A Promising Signing That Never Delivered

JC Mateo, the former Jeff Cobb, has been released by WWE after barely one year with the company, officially departing on May 2, 2026. The Olympian and former New Japan Pro-Wrestling standout signed a three-year contract in 2025, a deal that was set to run through spring 2028. His exit has reignited criticism of WWE's handling of a performer once regarded as one of the world's top heavyweights. Mateo debuted under his new ring name at WWE Backlash in May 2025, 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 emerged from the background. He became known as an enforcer rather than a rising star, rarely receiving singles opportunities or sustained momentum.

MJF's Cutting Social Media Jab

The underutilization became so glaring that even rivals took notice. On February 18, 2026, during a social media exchange involving Kyle Fletcher and Tama Tonga, AEW World Champion MJF posted: 'Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.' The comment, seemingly innocent praise, carried an unmistakable subtext about WWE's failure to capitalize on Cobb's talent. Kyle Fletcher piled on moments later, quipping that he could 'send you to MFT purgatory in a heartbeat,' a direct jab at the faction's booking struggles. The exchange ignited widespread debate among fans and analysts about whether WWE had made a mistake in signing Mateo or in how they chose to deploy him.

The MFT Shake-Up and The New Day's Exit

Mateo is not alone in his departure. Tonga Loa, another member of MFT, has also left the company, according to wrestling journalists Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays. The exits are surprising given the faction's regular presence on SmackDown. MFT, an offshoot of The Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa, is currently feuding with Jacob Fatu, Roman Reigns, and The Usos. In a separate but simultaneous development, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day have mutually parted ways with WWE. Their departure ends one of the most decorated tag teams in professional wrestling history. The New Day debuted in 2014 with Big E and evolved from a rejected gospel gimmick into beloved villains, incorporating unicorn horns, pancakes, anime references, and a trombone. Their 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns are the most in company history, including seven SmackDown tag titles and a record 483-day Raw tag title reign. Big E's in-ring career ended after a broken neck in 2022; Kingston last appeared on April 17, teaming with Grayson Waller in a failed tag title bid, while Woods is sidelined with a shoulder injury.

A Wider Roster Purge

The departures of Mateo, Loa, and The New Day come one week after WWE cut more than a dozen superstars, including Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, and the entire Wyatt Sicks stable. In total, at least 20 performers have left the company in a two-week period, signaling a significant roster restructuring. The moves have left fans and industry observers questioning the direction of WWE's creative strategy under its current leadership.

What's Next for the Former Olympian

For JC Mateo, the release opens the door to a return to the independent circuit or a potential move to another major promotion. Before his WWE stint, he was a top competitor in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, holding major championships and facing elite heavyweights. His Olympic background and proven track record make him a valuable free agent. The question now is whether another promotion will bet on the talent that WWE failed to harness.

The bottom line

• JC Mateo (Jeff Cobb) was released after less than a year, despite a three-year contract signed in 2025.
• MJF's February 2026 tweet mocking Mateo's underutilization proved prescient after his release.
• Mateo and Tonga Loa's exits weaken Solo Sikoa's MFT faction on SmackDown.
• The New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have mutually parted with WWE, ending a historic tag team run.
• WWE has cut over 20 performers in two weeks, including major names like Kairi Sane and the Wyatt Sicks.
• Mateo's Olympic and NJPW credentials make him a top free agent for other promotions.