Jeff Cobb gives his pre-Dominion thoughts on Ibushi, Will Ospreay’s injury and more
Escalating from a sportsmanlike challenge from Ibushi at Satsuma no Kuni to an all out fight earlier this week in Korakuen Hall, Kota Ibushi vs Jeff Cobb has become one of the most hotly anticipated matchups for Dominion on June 7. We talked to Cobb to get his thoughts on the bout, how Will Ospreay’s injury has affected the United Empire and more.
Henare and O-Khan are both very similar. Both young guys and both want to prove a point
–So, we’re having this interview just after your jiu-jitsu class.
Cobb: Right. I started getting into jiu-jitsu back in December, so I’m six months in.
–Adding submission grappling to your wrestling. It really feels like each of you in United Empire are really able to use your various martial arts backgrounds as a calling card. Aaron Henare called this the ‘bad MFer group’.
Cobb: That’s one way of putting it sure. End of the day, we can handle ourselves in any situation in or out of the ring.
–It makes you an effective team for sure. When you and Henare teamed in Kagoshima against Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi, the suplexes and the grappling ability you both share reminded some fans of the Steiner Brothers. Now you’re teaming with Great-O-Khan during this tour again, how do those two compare?
Cobb: Henare is maybe a little easier because he’s a native English speaker, so that’s easier communication wise. But they’re both very similar, really. Both young guys, and both want to prove a point.
–They both have chips on their shoulders, so to speak.
Cobb: Yeah. People saw O-Khan as a young boy, and Henare was a generic figure for so long, you know. They both knew that they were more than that. So when O-Khan came back, he came back with a vengeance, and so did Henare when he came into the United Empire. They’ve been great, and that makes a great team for me either way, because I know they’re motivated to hold that end of the bargain. I’m not teaming with Young Lions or anything like that.
I didn’t want to play second fiddle while Tanahashi and Ibushi got main events
–Although you initially came into NJPW via Ring of Honor, you were a part of that hontai team and paired with Young Lions. Would you say that you’ve truly found your place within United Empire?
Cobb: Definitely. When I first came in I didn’t think… I’m not sure I would say I was taken for granted, but maybe overlooked? Like I wasn’t taken seriously enough. I didn’t want to spend the rest of my career being in the corner of the ‘daddies’ if you will.
–A lot of international fans call the Third Generation class the ‘New Japan Dads’. You didn’t want to be lumped in with them.
Cobb: And I didn’t want to be playing second fiddle while Tanahashi and Ibushi were the only ones getting chances to win championships and main eventing. I definitely thought I could do what I could do, and I’ve proven that in United Empire. I’ve been more aggressive, and my win percentage shows I’m more successful.
–Let’s reflect a little bit on when you came into the United Empire during World Tag League last year. There were some eyebrows raised, especially considering you had beaten Will Ospreay during the G1…
Cobb: Well, I think Ospreay saw that it was better to have me on his side than against him.
–So Ospreay approached you?
Cobb: For the record, I never come to anybody. He came to me, and there was a feeling out process, but I liked what he was saying.
–About carving your own identity in United Empire?
Cobb: He was in CHAOS, but he was in a similar position to me or Henare in hontai. He was playing second fiddle to Okada all the time, and this way he was in control of his own destiny. With all of us in that position, we can beat anybody up and we probably will.
–Shingo Takagi has played a key role in both your and Ospreay’s 2021 for better or for worse. A theme of Wrestle Kingdom was in you, Ospreay and O-Khan’s singles matches in the Tokyo Dome, and although you each lost, you all put together strong performances. Your match with Takagi over the NEVER title was spectacular and made people see you in a new light.
Cobb: I definitely feel that way, yeah. People hadn’t had as much of a chance to see me in singles matches in New Japan, and this was a big important stage. Even though we didn’t win, Okada, Shingo and everyone left knowing that you have to take notice of us with these new attitudes. If we just wrested those matches pre-United Empire, as hontai or CHAOS members, there wouldn’t have been anywhere near the same level of attention. We opened a lot of eyes to us as a unit.
When I win, people will know that I’m one of the best in the world
–Takagi went on to face Ospreay first in the New Japan Cup Final and then for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship in Dontaku.
Cobb: I know where this is headed.
–Obviously, Ospreay was injured in that match and vacated the title.
Cobb: It was a tough break for him. I’m not a doctor, obviously, I don’t know when he’ll be back. Is it a blow for the United Empire? Sure.
–This current tour, it’s just been you and Great-O-Khan.
Cobb: It’s a numbers game, this faction system in NJPW. We have the least amount of numbers. But that’s when we’re most dangerous. We have our backs to the wall, and we’re going for broke. It’s a dangerous time for the rest of NJPW, not for the United Empire.
–Shingo Takagi and Kazuchika Okada face one another in the Dominion main event for the vacant IWGP World Heavyweight Championship. Kevin Kelly suggested you should be in the conversation.
Cobb: First and foremost, Kota Ibushi is in my sights.
–He’s your first target.
Cobb: I overlooked him in the G1 last year. I wasn’t who I am now. So I want to get past him. And he’s a former champion himself obviously. So that’s my top priority.
–Right.
Cobb: But when it comes to the belt, I’ve seen that dialogue on social media. This and that guy should get it, but you see the same names over and over. The Ibushis, the Tanahashis, the Okadas, the Shingos. But I think they’re overlooking newer names.
–They’re overlooking Jeff Cobb, in other words?
Cobb: Hey, I beat Shingo Takagi! Twice! Hell, I beat Will Ospreay! Twice! I’m not saying they should give me a championship, I want to fight for it and earn it, but I should be able to throw my name in the hat.
–Let’s talk about Kota Ibushi. This match is something Ibushi has said he’s wanted for a long time. Do you feel the same way?
Cobb: Definitely. As a professional wrestler, I think Ibushi is one of the best. His will to win, his striking ability, it’s all top notch. I would be stupid not to want to fight him, because when I win, people will know I’m one of the best in the world. If it was up to me, we would do it tomorrow, but it’s not up to me. Like I said to him, the clock is ticking for when I’m gonna beat him up.
Let’s see how mentally strong he is after I hit him with Cobbgoye
–The Cobbigoye has been quite the topic of conversation of late. Obviously it’s sending a clear message to Ibushi, but why did you decide to start using that move?
Cobb: I think during that tag match we had in Kagoshima. Ibushi and Tanahashi won that match, and Ibushi hit that Kamigoye on Henare. But that’s when I decided I would do it, and make sure it was much more devastating than what he can do. Remind me, what does ‘Kamigoye’ mean again?
–‘To surpass God’
Cobb: Well then, the Cobbigoye is one higher than Kamigoye. I’m way higher than him, and whatever God he’s trying to be. So let’s see how mentally strong he is after I hit him with it. There’s no greater insult than to be hit with your own signature move and get beat with it, so it has to be weighing on his mind.
–While visually you’re very different, you both combine heavyweight power with junior heavyweight ability. Ibushi has talked about wanting to face an Olympian in yourself in the ring. Do you sense respect from him toward you?
Cobb: Sure. Regardless of what happens in the ring, I respect what he’s capable of and respect what he’s accomplished in NJPW. But in the end, I want to further my career, my opportunities. Respect goes out the window when you’re fighting and trying to win. I don’t hate the guy, but he’s standing between me and my destiny and a better pay check.
G1 Climax, IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, me beating Ibushi- sounds like a pretty good first year
–Circling back to Will Ospreay’s absence right now, it seemed before his injury as if there was a lot of talk about expansion of the United Empire. With your numbers low, are you or O-Khan looking to use this series to take a lead role, and grow the group more?
Cobb: Well, first off, we never have an official leader in the United Empire. I get that Will Ospreay was in the forefront because he was in more high profile matches and he seized his opportunity to become champion. But with him away for however long, it’s up to me, O-Khan, Henare or all of us to lead the way. But it’s a case by case thing.
–Meaning?
Cobb: Like with new members, it has to be a group decision. We can’t have a situation where I want this guy in, O-Khan wants that guy, Henare or Ospreay want other guys. It’s a group vote, and we’re only going to bring in people that help the group. Not just anybody.
–United Empire is still a very young group, at just seven months old. If we look forward to the first anniversary this autumn, where do you see yourself and the group as a whole by then?
Cobb: That’s G1 time, right?
–There hasn’t been an official G1 announcement, but with the Olympics in July and based on last year, then that seems likely.
Cobb: Well, I think one of us winning the G1 would be a pretty good way to celebrate. G1 Climax, IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, me beating Kota Ibushi- sounds a pretty good debut year to me.
