10 Wrestlers Who Totally Wasted Their Own Potential

9. Jeff Cobb

Austin Aries
NJPW

At his best, Jeff Cobb is a human highlight reel. He's a big beefy boy of superhuman strength and agility, capable of tossing even his heaviest opponents around like confetti and executing flippydoos like a 260lb Cruiserweight. He's one of the most giffable wrestlers on the planet when it all comes together, as it did in his G1 Supercard with Will Ospreay, which perfectly married Cobb's thunderous offense with breathless pacing. 'Mr. Athletic' came out looking like a god as a result.

The G1 Supercard presented the best version of Jeff Cobb. The G1 Climax presented the worst.

The former Olympian is increasingly content to wrestle as the most boring version of himself. Rather than popping the crowd with the things that made him famous, he was out there trading holds and strikes without a shred of urgency, leading to a sleepy run with few highlights. This isn't anything new for him, either. He's an explosive, eyeball-popping talent with the potential to be independent wrestling's most must-see star, yet he rarely shifts above third gear.

"Methodical," is the word. Not Bret Hart methodical, though: boring methodical.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.