In New Japan Pro Wrestling, unless you’re a world travelled star, if you want in, they’re probably having you start from scratch. We’ve seen this with men like Juice Robinson, Finn Balor, and most recently; Karl Fredericks. He would enter wrestling in 2015, trained by Adam Thornstowe & Luster The Legend, better known as Reno Scum. He’s mainly compete for promotions like All Pro Wrestling, Pro Championship Wrestling, & Supreme Pro Wrestling. However, in August of 2018, he’d be recruited to the newly reopened NJPW L.A Dojo, and begin his new life as a Young Lion.
Under the tutelage of Katsuyori Shibata, Fredericks would quickly rise to the top of his class, with his former experience helping him as he became an even more dangerous wrestler. He would become the first gaijin to win the Young Lions cup, after finishing the 2019 tournament with six wins and only a single loss, that being to Ren Narita.
New Look and Attitude For Karl Fredericks
With him set to be one of the stars of the upcoming Lions Break World weekly show, it’s only right that he gets some new touches to apperence and moveset. No longer will he simply have the basic black gear, having some bling hanging off his ears and a headband. He’s been given the greenlight by Shibata to step out of that shell, and his match against KENTA in the orignally planned New Japan Cup was going to be the start of all that. He’d have been coming right out of healing up an injured shoulder, but plans changed due to COVID-19, and his big return to Japan will have to wait.
Fredericks was looking to expand his arsenal, and trained in kick-boxing with Shibata. The effort he showed in that training was what it took for his teacher to give him the increased freedom in attire. It’s sink or swim, and his upcoming match teaming with T.J Perkins against Jeff Cobb & Rocky Romero will be his new moment to shock the world. He’s ready to take it to both Cobb & Romero, and show he’s as ready as he will get.
Do you think Karl Fredericks is ready to become a star for New Japan Pro Wrestling, or will he go crawling to the dojo for more training? Let us know what you think in the comment section down below.
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