Jeff Cobb Addresses NJPW Return, Why He Confronted Callum Newman

Jeff Cobb is back with NJPW, and he spoke after his return about why he returned and why he confronted Callum Newman. As noted, Cobb made his return at the G1 Climax 36 finals and ran down Newman, the leader of United Empire, before announcing that he was joining Unbound Company.

Cobb spoke backstage afterward about why he returned, arguing that he was “just in hiatus,” and accused Newman of driving United Empire into the ground. You can see the highlights below:

On His Return to the Company:

“Hey, come here, come here. Zoom in. Zoom in right there. Oh, the goosebumps; the goosebumps. Oh, yeah. Here we go. Hey, I didn’t lie. Jeff Cobb didn’t leave New Japan; I was just on hiatus. I was on the beaches relaxing, trying to remember what was going on. And I tune into NJPW1972.com, and I looked it up in Japan. It’s NJPW.co.1972. I watched all the matches, I know what’s going on.”

On Confronting Newman:

“I saw what happened with the United Empire. Callum, your attitude needs checking. In my mind, you’re still that young kid that [said], ‘Hey, Jeff, help me. Help me!’ So where were you? See, the reason why I took a little hiatus is because when Ospreay left, I myself and the Great-O-Khan, we tried to carry the United Empire into a new generation, into a new high. And you guys let some Hot Topic manager almost kill the Empire. Where were you guys!?…

“All of you Empire members shut your mouth and just let that emo kid talk s**t to me. Well no more, no more. See, I’m back here in New Japan where the real wrestling is. And I plan to join Unbound Co, because I’m not bounded by anything anymore. I’m not bounded by the “Knockout Corporation.” The only knockout I need are the Knock Out Brothers. And the only thing that I need now is to take Callum to the woodshed. Something your mama never did.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit NJPW with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.