Just weeks after finishing his tenure with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, acclaimed wrestler Jeff Cobb took to social media on Thursday, May 1st, to announce his retirement from professional wrestling after a 16-year career. His post, accompanied by a photo of him on a beach, read: “16 years is a long time to work, Happy Retirement to me…. I’ll let the waves take me to my next destination. 🎶 Can I wade in your water, until I catch your wave 🎶”
16 years is a long time to work, Happy Retirement to me…. I’ll let the waves take me to my next destination.
🎶 Can I wade in your water, until I catch your wave 🎶 pic.twitter.com/K2tYDQUDye
— Jeff Cobb (@RealJeffCobb) May 1, 2025
However, this announcement comes amidst strong and persistent reports linking the powerhouse free agent to an imminent signing with WWE. Cobb’s tweet immediately generated significant buzz and skepticism online. Many fans and observers pointed to the timing and phrasing – particularly the reference to a “next destination” – suggesting the retirement announcement could be a classic wrestling “work” or misdirection tactic often employed before a wrestler makes a surprise debut for a major promotion like WWE. This skepticism is fueled by numerous recent reports regarding WWE’s interest in the former Olympian.
Reports over the past couple of months have strongly indicated significant interest from WWE in signing Cobb once he became a free agent following the expiration of his NJPW contract earlier this year. Fightful Select previously reported in March that Cobb was a name WWE had their eye on and word got out that he had appeared on internal WWE roster lists. More recently, WrestleVotes Radio stated that Cobb’s name has come up in recent WWE main roster creative discussions. Cobb officially finished his run with NJPW with a final match against Hiroshi Tanahashi on April 19th.
Jeff Cobb, 42, boasts an impressive resume, including representing Guam in freestyle wrestling at the 2004 Olympics and holding championships in NJPW (NEVER Openweight, IWGP Tag Team), ROH (World Television), and PWG (World Championship, BOLA winner). He also gained prominence as the monstrous Matanza Cueto in Lucha Underground. Given his age and extensive experience, reports suggest that if Cobb signs with WWE, he is likely expected to debut directly on the main roster (Raw or SmackDown) rather than starting in NXT, although this remains unconfirmed.
While Jeff Cobb has publicly declared his retirement, the combination of his recent free agency, credible reports of WWE interest and creative discussions, and the wrestling industry’s history of utilizing such announcements for dramatic effect has led most observers to anticipate his arrival in WWE soon. Fans are now eagerly watching for either an official confirmation from the company or a surprise appearance by the “Hawaiian Juggernaut” on WWE programming.
