JC Mateo may already be looking back toward familiar territory after his short WWE run came to an end, as he just hinted at returning to NJPW.
On May 16, 2026, Mateo took to Twitter and commented on an old NJPW video of himself hitting an impressive dive to the outside. Instead of simply laughing off the clip, Cobb used the moment to tease that he may be ready to bring that version of himself back.
“I used to do fun stuff in an alternative universe….. maybe it’s time to dust off the ol college degree….”
That post immediately got people talking because Mateo built a major part of his reputation in New Japan Pro-Wrestling before signing with WWE. His time as JC Mateo didn’t last long, and recent reports claimed WWE originally had bigger singles plans for him before he faded into the background of Solo Sikoa’s MFT group. Dave Meltzer previously reported that Cobb was once planned for a significant push before those ideas were dropped.
“Cobb was at first planned for a big push as he was to work with key people in singles in plans that never ended up happening.”
Meltzer also noted that after WWE started using him on television, Cobb ended up becoming just another face in the faction instead of the featured threat he was first expected to be.
“For whatever reason, after seeing him, he became a face in the crowd of the MFTs.”
Now, Mateo’s latest tweet makes his next move even more interesting. He didn’t directly say he is returning to NJPW, but referencing his old New Japan style and joking about dusting things off certainly feels like a tease.
Before WWE, Mateo had strong runs in NJPW and also appeared in AEW between 2020 and 2022. It was previously noted that AEW would likely have interest because Cobb has worked there before and remains close with several people in the company.
For now, Mateo has not confirmed his next destination. But after hinting at his past NJPW days, it sounds like the former he may be ready to remind everyone what he was doing before WWE.
What do you think about JC Mateo teasing a possible NJPW return after his WWE exit? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.