New details on why Jeff Cobb‘s AEW deal might be a done deal just yet.
According to a new report from this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Cobb was offered a new deal by All Elite Wrestling this week that would still allow him to work for New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but that’s where things were left.
It was also noted that while Cody Rhodes had been trying to sign Cobb, a free agent with a working agreement with Ring Of Honor and New Japan, since the start of the year, Tony Khan had not met him until this week.
Cobb made his first overall appearance on Dynamite last week, and lost his in-ring debut to Jon Moxley on this week’s show.
Cody was asked about Cobb’s status on Tuesday’s media call, where he said that it was still a work in progress.
“It’s still in gestation. Jeff works with New Japan, he works with Ring Of Honor and now he works with AEW. I’m a big fan of Jeff Cobb because I like shooters in wrestling. I don’t try to consider myself one with my limited amateur background, but I think Jeff is a really—he’s a tank. He’s a special athlete.
So I think honestly, to be transparent with you, it’s in gestation. I would hope that he maybe pursue the longer [tenure] with AEW but I don’t want it to impede on anything he’s doing in his soul, if that makes sense. If he wants to travel the globe and do all kinds of stuff, have at it.
That’s one of the great things about AEW, there’s no blanket contracts. Everybody’s contract is different about what they can do, where they can go, and Tony Khan has tailored and contoured contracts to speak to your sensibility. ‘Hey, if this independent means a lot to me’ or ‘going to Wrestle Kingdom means a lot to me,’ whatever it may be, it’s door’s open and we’re open for business. But Jeff, I’m sorry, I’ll just have to keep it vague with him as well because honestly, we don’t know just yet.
We do have Jeff for more than just the Atlanta show, but I’d love to see Jeff in a more long-term deal with us. He’s a special talent.”
Read More: Cody Rhodes Addresses The Atlanta Crowd After AEW Goes Off The Air
