Biggest free agent on the planet makes shock WWE debut at Backlash

Cliff Notes – "Biggest free agent on the planet makes shock WWE debut at Backlash"

• Jeff Cobb made a surprise debut at WWE’s Backlash event, attacking LA Knight during the United States Title match and aiding Jacob Fatu’s victory.
• The 42-year-old wrestler recently left New Japan Pro Wrestling, where he was stripped of his IWGP Tag Team Championship, and had teased retirement prior to his WWE arrival.

"Biggest free agent on the planet" makes shock WWE debut at Backlash

Jeff Cobb has officially joined WWE (Picture: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

Jeff Cobb has arrived in WWE after a shock debut at Backlash in St Louis.

The 42-year-old wrestler, who sensationally quit rivals New Japan Pro Wrestling last month, was heavily rumoured to be making the jump and he made his presence felt on Saturday night.

Cobb appeared at the end of the United States Title match between defending champ Jacob Fatu and challengers Drew McIntyre, LA Knight and Damian Priest.

Hailed by commentator Michael Cole as the ‘biggest free agent on the planet’, he appeared at ringside and attacked Knight, helping Fatu to a tainted victory and seemingly aligning himself with Solo Sikoa.

In a statement on their official website days before WrestleMania, NJPW – who have a working agreement with WWE rivals All Elite Wrestling – confirmed Cobb’s exit.

‘New Japan Pro-Wrestling has come to terms with the departure of Jeff Cobb at his request,’ the promotion said at the time.

Cobb tried to throw everyone off the scent (Picture: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

He’s made appearances for AEW in the past (Picture: AEW/Lee South)

They added: ‘New Japan Pro-Wrestling profoundly apologises for the sudden nature of this news and joins fans in wishing Cobb the best in all his future endeavours.’

Cobb was stripped of his IWGP Tag Team Championship, which he held with Callum Newman, and he had his farewell in Korakuen Hall on April 19.

He later teased ‘retirement’ in a series of X post trying to throw fans off the scent.

Cobb seems poised to take WWE by storm (Picture: Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

’16 years is a long time to work, Happy Retirement to me…. I’ll let the waves take me to my next destination,’ he wrote alongside a beach photo. ‘🎶 Can I wade in your water, until I catch your wave 🎶’

And hours before Backlash, he tweeted: ‘Just finished a sweet workout and I can’t believe after so many years of going to LA, this was my first time going here! If you are in the area I suggest checking it out! Gym, free tanning and when you’re done, a beach to jump into!’

Earlier in the week, Cobb also appeared at the red carpet for the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3 and 4 remake release party, again referencing retirement as he continued to joke about stepping away from wrestling.