Report: Former NJPW wrestler Karl Fredericks signs with WWE
Former NJPW wrestler Karl Fredericks is now under contract with WWE.
PWInsider reported on Tuesday that Fredericks has officially signed with WWE and will be part of the NXT brand. The 32-year-old Fredericks had been spotted at the WWE Performance Center this past September.
Fredericks began his NJPW career as a Young Lion at the promotion’s LA Dojo. He graduated from the Young Lion system in 2020.
In May 2022, Fredericks wrestled for NJPW for the last time. He announced in August that he was no longer under contract with NJPW and wouldn’t be re-signing with the company:
As of today August 1st I am no longer under contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling and I will not be re-signing with the company at this time. Though there is disappointment in the ending of this chapter I am grateful for the last four years traveling the world and growing with my best friends. I want to say thank you to the company for the opportunities and especially thank you to Shibata-San for believing in me and bringing me along his journey with the LA Dojo. Last but not least thank you to my fans and thank you to the NJPW fans for Your support over these years. I hope You will continue to support me along my path wherever that may lead.
Fredericks posted a tweet last June where he expressed frustration with not being included in NJPW’s G1 Climax tournament.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.