WWE/Lucha Underground News: Former Lucha Underground Champion explains why he turned down WWE
What’s the story?
Many of you will know him as Matanza Cueto, but the star behind the mask has revealed that he would relish the opportunity to work with WWE in the future, but explained why he turned down a role on WWE Tough Enough.
In case you didn’t know...
In Lucha Underground, Matanza is the brother of Dario Cueto and is the monster he unleashed to take back control of The Temple and, in essence, the promotion.
Matanza tore through the entire roster on his debut.
After a dominant title run, Matanza Cueto's undefeated streak was eventually ended by legendary luchador Rey Mysterio.
The heart of the matter
Jeff Cobb was a sensational amateur wrestler, even appearing at the 2014 Summer Olympics for Guam, but his success as Matanza catapulted his pro wrestling career making him a star on the indies.
Cobb has even wrestled for NJPW and Progress Wrestling but has now revealed that he had a try-out with WWE back in 2014. However, he said he has no regrets about how it went as he believes the rejection from WWE motivated him to work even harder to get to the level he's at now.
"I think it's fine when I had it. Just cause sometimes I feel like WWE wants to just sign all the indie guys just to sign them, so they can have them in their collection. I'm kind of happy that they... I mean for lack of a better word they didn't want me at the time, which is perfect because I didn't leave there with a chip on my shoulder. I left there saying 'OK, you know what?
I'm going to prove them wrong that I am a good commodity to have.' So, I took it as a challenge and I think after 2014 when I left the tryout, I think I made the correct decision and put a little more buzz in my stock. If they come around again we'll see where it takes me."
Cobb also revealed he was offered a spot on Tough Enough, but he refused and believes it was the right choice.
"Originally they told me that they didn't have anything character-wise for me. They offered me Tough Enough but I really didn't want that. I'm not saying nobody's successful from Tough Enough but if you watch the last season of Tough Enough I think I made the right choice."
Cobb said while he's had no contact with WWE since he would be open to joining.
"I'm under Lucha Underground contract so I can't talk to WWE. If I ever got out of my contract we'll see where it goes from there."
What’s next?
Well, Cobb revealed that he is not yet confirmed for season four of Lucha Underground and, while he's open to rejoining the promotion, there are still some details to be ironed out before he can commit.
Author’s take
Well, as Matanza Cueto, Cobb was one of the biggest enigmas in pro wrestling on the build-up to his debut - and after. Lucha Underground really built the character of Matanza and Cobb's unique build and incredible in-ring work definitely helped bring that to fruition when he debuted and for the title run that followed.
As Matanza and on the indies, Jeff Cobb has made great strides since 2014 and there's no doubt he's more suitable for WWE now than he was back then. He has been compared to the Human Suplex Machine Taz for his range of suplexes and impressive bridge into a pinfall as well - although hopefully, WWE would handle Cobb slightly better than they did Taz as they failed to capitalise on his incredible ECW push.
Whether it's in Lucha Underground or elsewhere, we can't wait to see what Cobb does next.
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