NJPW Rumors: Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb coming to NJPW?

What's the story?

On this past weekend's edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has reported that Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb, known together as the Chosen Bros, will be wrestling for New Japan Pro Wrestling as part of the upcoming World Tag League 2017.

In case you didn't know

The NJPW G1 Tag League is the premier heavyweight tag team tournament in New Japan Pro Wrestling. The Tag League works in a similar fashion to the G1 Climax, with two groups of teams facing each other in round-robin competition before the block winners meet in the final.

The tournament has been won by some of the great teams of New Japan history, including Kojima & Tenzan, Masahiro Chono & Keiji Mutoh and more. The team of Tomoaki Honma & Togi Makabe have been successful the past two years, but GBH won't be involved in 2017.

Matt Riddle and Jeff Cobb have both long been rumoured to be making the move over to NJPW. The two have faced each other in a number of memorable matches, but have also experienced success as a tag team.

The heart of the matter

With the World Tag League not scheduled to start until November 18, there is plenty of time for plans to change when it comes to the line-up for the tournament. Riddle and Cobb would be a huge addition to the tournament, which promises to be the most stacked World Tag League in years.

War Machine, Guerrillas of Destiny, Killer Elite Squad, Kojima & Tenzan and various CHAOS, LIJ and Suzuki-gun combinations are likely to take part, meaning that the tournament may well become must-see viewing for the first time in years.

Riddle and Cobb would more than likely be considered favourites by some, but it is very rare for first-timers to win tournaments in New Japan. Just seeing the two in the ring against Tomohiro Ishii, Kenny Omega, Tetsuya Naito, Hiroshi Tanahashi and the rest is a victory for the fans.

What's next?

The World Tag League begins on November 18 and runs all the way through to December 11, where a winner will be crowned. The winning team will then go on to face the IWGP Tag Team Champions in the Tokyo Dome at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

Author's take

The Chosen Bros in New Japan? This sounds like a dream come true. Riddle has long been rumoured to be heading east, but I feel that Cobb could well go on to become a humonguous star in the Land of the Rising Sun. Either way, here's hoping that Meltzer's report is indeed accurate.