WWE Reportedly Considered ‘JC Matanza’ as Ring Name for Jeff Cobb – Although Jeff Cobb is now officially known as J.C. Mateo in WWE, that wasn’t the only ring name considered for him by the company.
Cobb made his WWE debut under his real name at Backlash 2025, prompting speculation about what his final in-ring name might be. At the time, Big E even hinted that “Jeff Cobb” might not be permanent. That speculation proved accurate when WWE reintroduced Cobb as J.C. Mateo in the weeks following his debut.
According to Dave Meltzer in the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE internally discussed the name J.C. Matanza for Cobb. The name would have served as a subtle nod to his previous wrestling persona, Matanza Cueto, from Lucha Underground. Cobb portrayed the monstrous Matanza in the series, which gave him his first major exposure in the wrestling world.
However, several issues reportedly prevented WWE from moving forward with that name.
Meltzer noted that rights complications were a key factor:
“While AAA was an investor in Lucha Underground they weren’t owners, and in purchasing AAA, that wasn’t a purchase of Lucha Underground tapes or intellectual property.”
He also added that Cobb himself wasn’t fond of the name:
“Cobb was said to not like that name.”
Ultimately, WWE chose J.C. Mateo—a name that allows the company to build a fresh identity for the former Olympian while avoiding any trademark issues linked to Lucha Underground.
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WWE Reportedly Considered ‘JC Matanza’ as Ring Name for Jeff Cobb
