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FORMER NEW JAPAN STAR SIGNS WITH WWE

By Mike Johnson on 2023-01-10 10:35:00

Karl Fredericks, 32, who exited New Japan Pro Wrestling in August 2022 when his contract expired, has officially signed with WWE for the NXT brand, PWInsider.com has confirmed.  

Fredericks started this week at the Performance Center in Orlando.

The California native broke into the business in 2015 having been originally trained by Reno Scum.  He was a regular for New Japan's LA Dojo from 2018 until 2022, where he continued training under Katsuyori Shibata.   He was regularly featured on the New Japan Strong series until his NJPW deal expired and Fredericks announced he was not renewing.

At the time, Fredericks wrote on Twitter, "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.”

PWInsider.com reported that Fredericks was seen at the PC back in September 2022.

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