Karl Fredericks Bio
Karl Fredericks is an American professional wrestler currently competing on the independent circuit. Born on July 15, 1990, in Reno, Nevada, Fredericks has established himself as a prominent figure in professional wrestling through tenures with major promotions including New Japan Pro-Wrestling and WWE. During his time in WWE, he performed under the ring name Eddy Thorpe and became known for his intense in-ring style and compelling character work.
Fredericks first gained international recognition in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he won the 2019 Young Lion Cup tournament. His journey from the LA Dojo training system to competing on the world stage demonstrates his dedication to the craft of professional wrestling. Following his release from WWE in May 2025, Fredericks returned to the independent circuit to continue his wrestling career under his real name.
Early Life and Background
Karl Fredericks was born on July 15, 1990, in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. He is of Native American heritage, a cultural background that has played a significant role in shaping his wrestling persona and character development. Fredericks incorporates his Native American ancestry into his professional identity through various elements of his presentation, including entrance rituals and ring gear design.
His WWE ring name, Eddy Thorpe, was chosen as a reference to Jim Thorpe, the legendary Native American athlete. This connection to sports history reflects Fredericks’ pride in his heritage and his desire to honor influential figures in Native American athletics. The war dance he performs during his entrance and the tassels he wears on his ring gear are deliberate nods to his cultural background.
Path to Professional Wrestling
Fredericks began his professional wrestling journey in 2015, making his debut on May 17 of that year. His early career took shape when he entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling LA Dojo in 2018, joining other developing talents including Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin. The LA Dojo provided Fredericks with the training and foundation necessary to compete at the international level.
His opportunity to showcase his skills came during the 2019 Young Lion Cup, where Fredericks represented the LA Dojo in Japan. He won the tournament by accumulating 12 points, establishing himself as a promising young talent in the New Japan system. This victory marked a significant milestone in his early career and opened doors for higher-profile matches and partnerships within the promotion.
Karl Fredericks Career
Early Career (2015–2022)
After winning the Young Lion Cup in 2019, Fredericks continued to build his reputation in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. He teamed with veteran Hirooki Goto for the World Tag League tournament later that year, finishing with a record of three wins and twelve losses despite being relatively new to the company. On January 4, 2020, at Wrestle Kingdom 14, Fredericks participated in a major eight-man tag-team match alongside fellow LA Dojo members Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin, plus Toa Henare, defeating the team of Tencozy, Yota Tsuji, and Yuya Uemura.
In August 2020, Fredericks entered the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament, with the winner receiving a championship match for the IWGP United States Championship. Although he was eliminated in the first round by veteran Kenta, the tournament experience provided valuable exposure. By this time, Fredericks had modified his ring attire, changing the color of his shorts from black to red. On June 25, 2021, he challenged Tom Lawlor for the Strong Openweight Championship at the Ignition event but came up short in his title bid.
NJPW Tenure (2015–2022)
Fredericks spent seven years with New Japan Pro-Wrestling, developing from a young prospect into a reliable mid-card performer. His time in the promotion culminated in several championship opportunities and high-profile matches. The Strong Openweight Championship match against Tom Lawlor represented one of his biggest opportunities to capture gold in NJPW. Throughout his tenure, Fredericks was known for his hard-hitting style and determination in the ring.
On August 1, 2022, Fredericks’ contract with New Japan Pro-Wrestling expired, and he announced that he would not renew it. This decision marked the end of his seven-year journey with the Japanese promotion and set the stage for his next career move. His departure from NJPW came after he had established himself as a capable wrestler with experience in major events and tournaments.
WWE Era (2023–2025)
In January 2023, reports emerged that Fredericks had signed a contract with WWE. He was assigned the ring name Eddy Thorpe and made his debut on February 17, 2023, on the NXT Level Up show, defeating Dante Chen. His television debut followed on the March 23 episode of NXT, where he defeated Myles Borne. WWE began airing vignettes showcasing Thorpe exploring his Native American background, adding depth to his character and connecting with his personal heritage.
Thorpe’s first major feud came against Damon Kemp, leading to an NXT Underground match on July 4, 2023, which Thorpe won after enlisting the help of Gable Steveson for training. He then entered a rivalry with Dijak, who took exception to Thorpe being called the toughest man in NXT. Their feud included a strap match on September 26, which Thorpe won, followed by post-match attacks from Dijak. The conflict culminated in a second NXT Underground match on December 26, where Thorpe defeated Dijak to end the feud.
Style and Strengths
Thorpe established himself as a versatile competitor capable of competing in various match types, including technical wrestling contests and brawls. His background in the New Japan Dojo system provided him with a strong foundation in traditional wrestling fundamentals. The Native American elements of his character added a unique dimension to his presentation, setting him apart from other competitors on the roster. His ability to perform in specialty matches like NXT Underground and strap matches demonstrated his adaptability and willingness to compete in different styles.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of Thorpe’s most significant character developments occurred in December 2024 when he revealed that he had staged his own backstage attack to manipulate his way into an NXT Championship match against Trick Williams. The title match ended in a double pinfall, with Williams retaining. This heel turn marked a major shift in Thorpe’s character trajectory. At NXT Vengeance Day on February 15, 2025, Thorpe defeated Trick Williams in a strap match, securing his first win at a major WWE Premium Live Event. However, his WWE tenure came to an end on May 2, 2025, when he was released from the company.
Karl Fredericks Career Wins
Karl Fredericks has achieved significant victories throughout his career across multiple promotions. His accomplishments include tournament victories and championship matches at the highest levels of professional wrestling. From his early success in the New Japan dojo system to his notable wins in WWE, Fredericks has proven himself against established competitors and rising stars alike.
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Highlights
Fredericks’ most notable achievement in New Japan Pro-Wrestling was winning the 2019 Young Lion Cup tournament with 12 points. This victory established him as a promising talent within the company and led to increased opportunities, including participation in the World Tag League. His eight-man tag-team match victory at Wrestle Kingdom 14 in January 2020 remains a career highlight, as he competed on one of professional wrestling’s biggest stages alongside other LA Dojo members.
WWE Highlights
During his WWE tenure as Eddy Thorpe, he secured victories against notable competitors including Dante Chen, Myles Borne, Damon Kemp, Dijak, and Trick Williams. His NXT Underground match wins against Kemp and Dijak showcased his ability to compete in intense, physical matchups. The strap match victory over Trick Williams at NXT Vengeance Day 2025 represented one of his most significant WWE achievements, as it was his first win at a Premium Live Event.
Karl Fredericks Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Karl Fredericks is of Native American heritage, a background that he has proudly incorporated into his professional wrestling persona. His ring name in WWE, Eddy Thorpe, was specifically chosen to honor Jim Thorpe, the celebrated Native American athlete and Olympic gold medalist. This connection to his cultural heritage extends to his ring gear and entrance presentation, where he includes tassels and performs a Native American war dance.
Personal Life
Fredericks is currently in a relationship with Cheree Crowley, a professional wrestler from New Zealand who performs under the ring name Dakota Kai. Their relationship places both Fredericks and Crowley within the professional wrestling community, as both have competed at the highest levels of the industry. The couple’s shared profession provides them with a unique understanding of the demands and lifestyle associated with professional wrestling.
2025 Season Performance
Following his release from WWE on May 2, 2025, Karl Fredericks returned to the independent circuit to continue his wrestling career under his real name. His post-WWE debut came on September 5, 2025, at West Coast Pro Wrestling’s event titled God Called In Sick Today. In this match, Fredericks challenged Kevin Blackwood for the West Coast Pro Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful in his title bid.
This appearance marked Fredericks’ first step back into the independent wrestling scene after two years with WWE. The match against Blackwood demonstrated that Fredericks remained a serious competitor capable of competing for championships outside the major promotion system. As 2025 progressed, Fredericks continued to make appearances on the independent circuit, bringing the experience and exposure gained from his time in WWE and NJPW to smaller promotions around the country. His future in professional wrestling appears focused on establishing himself as a top independent talent and potentially pursuing championship opportunities in various organizations.
