JC Mateo underutilization sparks AEW rival MJF’s comment, WWE star signed through 2028

JC Mateo has just exited WWE after barely one year with the company. The former Jeff Cobb from New Japan Pro-Wrestling has been released, sparking renewed criticism about his underutilization. Back in February 2026, AEW World Champion MJF publicly mocked his booking on social media, a comment that now feels even more pointed.

The Rapid Fall of a Former NJPW Star

Jeff Cobb was once a global wrestling machine. As a top competitor in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, he held major championships and faced the best heavyweights on the planet. His signing with WWE in 2025 looked like a major get for Vince McMahon’s team. Cobb debuted under the new name JC Mateo at WWE Backlash in May 2025, quickly aligning with Solo Sikoa’s MFT faction on Friday Night SmackDown.

However, the booking never caught fire. Despite having all the physical tools and proven track record, Mateo remained a background player in most MFT storylines. He appeared regularly but rarely received singles spotlights or meaningful momentum. The underutilization became so obvious that even rivals noticed.

MJF’s Brutal Social Media Shot that Predicted the End

On February 18, 2026, during a social media exchange with Kyle Fletcher and Tama Tonga, MJF fired off a pointed comment: “Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.” The AEW World Champion’s words were seemingly innocent praise, but they carried a cutting subtext about how poorly WWE had utilized the 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 on SmackDown. These comments ignited widespread social media debate about Mateo’s booking and whether WWE had made a mistake signing him.

From MFT to the Unemployment Line

JC Mateo was part of Solo Sikoa’s Mega Fight Team (MFT), a powerful faction that also included Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa. The stable was consistently featured in main SmackDown segments and even feuded with The Wyatt Sicks. Yet despite the screentime, Mateo never broke through as an individual personality. He became known more as a background enforcer than a rising star.

His last televised match came on April 24 when he and Tama Tonga faced Damian Priest and R-Truth in a loss on SmackDown. Less than two weeks later, WWE released him along with Tonga Loa and members of The New Day in a significant wave of cuts. Mateo was moved to WWE’s Alumni page on May 2, 2026, officially ending his Stamford tenure.

“Remember Jeff Cobb? He was freaking AWESOME. Miss that guy.”

— MJF, AEW World Champion, February 18, 2026

What’s Next for the Former Wrestling Powerhouse

JC Mateo is now a free agent, despite having a contract that technically extended to Spring 2028. WWE release arrangements allowed him to exit early, clearing the way for potential negotiations with other major promotions. AEW has not made any official moves yet, though MJF’s comments suggest the Jacksonville company views him far more favorably than WWE ever did.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling remains a possibility as well. Mateo built his reputation overseas and could return to find redemption in the heavyweight scene. The wrestling world will be watching closely to see where one of the most talented big men in the industry lands next and whether he can recapture the momentum he once possessed.

Sources

• Fightful – JC Mateo’s WWE departure confirmation and details on his three-year contract
• ITR Wrestling – MJF and Kyle Fletcher’s public comments about MFT underutilization
• Ring Side News – Timeline of WWE departures and Mateo’s relegation to Alumni page

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