Karl Fredericks

{{short description|American professional wrestler}}

{{Redirect|Eddy Thorpe|other uses|Edward Thorpe (disambiguation){{!}}Edward Thorpe}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox professional wrestler

|name = Karl Fredericks

|image =

|caption =

|birthname = Karl Fredericks

|names = Eddy Thorpe
Karl Fredericks

|height = 6 ft 0 in{{cite web|title=Profile of Karl Fredericks|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=19585|website=Cagematch|language=en|access-date=November 23, 2021}}

|weight = 222 lb

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1990|07|15}}

|birth_place = Reno, Nevada, U.S.

|billed = "Sacred indigenous land"

|debut = May 17, 2015ベースボールマガジン社『週刊プロレス』2019年12月15日号増刊No.2045 とじ込み付録7頁

|trainer = {{unbulletedlist|Adam Thornstowe|Luster the Legend|Katsuyori Shibata|NJPW L.A. Dojo}}

}}

Karl Fredericks (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the NXT brand under the ring name Eddy Thorpe.

Fredericks is also known for his stint in New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), where he was the winner of the 2019 Young Lion Cup.

Professional wrestling career

= New Japan Pro-Wrestling (2015–2022) =

Fredericks debuted on May 17, 2015. In 2018, Fredericks entered the New Japan Pro-Wrestling LA Dojo, along with Clark Connors and Alex Coughlin. He visited Japan for the first time as a representative of the LA Dojo at the 2019 Young Lion Cup and won the tournament with 12 points.{{cite web|url=https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/prores/njpw/1563033/|title=【新日本】ヤングライオン杯で外国人初V "猛獣"フレドリックスはナイスガイ|work=東京スポーツ|accessdate=September 5, 2020|date=September 26, 2019}}{{cite web | url = http://www.njpw.co.jp/tornament/116496?showResult=1 | title = JRA presents Road to Tokyo Dome | accessdate=December 18, 2017 | work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling | language=Japanese}} Fredericks teamed with Hirooki Goto for the World Tag League in the same year, finishing with 3 wins and 12 losses.{{cite web|url=https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/news/201911170001261.html|title=後藤洋央紀リーグ初白星「こんなんで満足してねえ」|work=日刊スポーツ|accessdate=September 5, 2020|date=November 18, 2019}} On January 4, 2020, at Wrestle Kingdom 14, Fredericks, Connors, Coughlin and Toa Henare defeated Tencozy (Satoshi Kojima and Hiroyoshi Tenzan), Yota Tsuji and Yuya Uemura in an eight-man tag-team match.https://www.f4wonline.com/news/new-japan/results/njpw-wrestle-kingdom-14-night-one-live-results-okada-vs-ibushi-300816 {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}

In August 2020, Fredericks competed in the inaugural New Japan Cup USA tournament, with the winner receiving a match for the IWGP United States Championship. He lost to Kenta in the first round.{{cite web|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/77901?showResult=1|title=2020.08.07 NEW JAPAN CUP 2020 in the USA|work=New Japan Pro-Wrestling|publisher=Bushiroad|date=August 7, 2020|access-date=August 11, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113003907/https://www.njpw1972.com/tornament/77901?showResult=1|url-status=dead}} From this time on, he changed the colors of his shorts from black to red. At the main event of Ignition on June 25, 2021, Fredericks challenged Tom Lawlor for the Strong Openweight Championship and lost.{{Cite web|last=NJPW|title=2021.06.25 IGNITION {{!}} NEW JAPAN PRO-WRESTLING|url=https://www.njpw1972.com/98584?showResult=1|access-date=2021-06-26|website=NJPW|language=en}} On August 1, 2022, Fredericks' contract with NJPW expired and he announced he would not renew it.{{cite news |last1=Lambert |first1=Jeremy |title=Karl Fredericks Says He's No Longer Under NJPW Contract, Won't Re-Sign With The Company|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/karl-fredericks-says-he-s-no-longer-under-njpw-contract-won-t-re-sign-company |access-date=August 1, 2022 |work=www.fightful.com |date=August 1, 2022 |language=en}}

= WWE (2023–present) =

In January 2023, it was reported Fredericks signed a contract with WWE.{{cite web|url=https://www.pwinsider.com/article/166831/former-new-japan-star-signs-with-wwe.html?p=1|title=FORMER NEW JAPAN STAR SIGNS WITH WWE|publisher=PWI Insider|date=January 10, 2023}} In February, he was assigned the ring name Eddy Thorpe and he debuted as a face on the February 17 show of NXT Level Up, defeating Dante Chen.{{Cite web|last=Chik|first=Jon|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxt-level-up/article/feroz-and-nile-to-throw-down-on-nxt-level-up|title=Feroz and Nile to throw down on NXT Level Up|quote=Eddy Thorpe making his debut against Dante Chen... Thorpe is an intriguing newcomer who has competed all over the world and has a chance to turn heads if he can defeat his fellow veteran, Chen.|date=February 17, 2023|access-date=February 17, 2023|website=WWE.com}} On the March 23 episode of NXT, Thorpe would make his TV debut defeating Myles Borne. In the next weeks, vignettes would air of Thorpe exploring his Native-American background. Thorpe would soon begin a feud with Damon Kemp which led to Thorpe enlisting the help of Gable Steveson (Kemp's real life brother) to train for his NXT Underground match with Kemp on the July 4 episode of NXT, which Thorpe won.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-03-21/article/results-03-21-2023|title=WWE NXT Results: March 21, 2023|date=March 21, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2024|website=WWE.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-07-04/article/results|title=WWE NXT Results: July 4, 2023|date=July 4, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2024|website=WWE.com}}

Soon after, Thorpe would begin feuding with Dijak, who took offense to Thorpe being referred to as the toughest man in NXT and attacked him in a match with Oro Mensah. On the September 26 episode of NXT, Thorpe beat Dijak in a strap match but was attacked after the match by Dijak who struck him repeatedly with the leather strap.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-07-18/article/results|title=WWE NXT Results: July 18, 2023|date=July 18, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2024|website=WWE.com}} On the November 28 episode of NXT, Thorpe fought Bron Breakker for a spot in the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline but was defeated and once again attacked post match by Dijak. At NXT Deadline on December 9, Thorpe attacked Dijak during the Iron Survivor Challenge and cost him the match. On the December 26 episode of NXT, Thorpe defeated Dijak in the second NXT Underground match to end the feud.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-11-28/article/results|title=WWE NXT Results: November 28, 2023|date=November 28, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2023|website=WWE.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/nxtple/wwe-nxt-deadline-2023/article/results|title=Full NXT Deadline 2023 Results|date=December 9, 2023|access-date=March 14, 2024|website=WWE.com}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/2023-12-26|title=WWE NXT Results: December 26, 2023|date=December 26, 2023|access-date=March 13, 2024|website=WWE.com}}

On the November 19, 2024 episode of NXT, Thorpe participated in the Iron Survivor Challenge qualifier where he lost to NXT Tag Team Champion Nathan Frazer after being distracted by the NXT tag team division brawling outside the ring.{{cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=November 19, 2024 |title=NXT TV results (11/19): Moore's review of Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase for a shot at the NXT Championship at NXT Deadline, Iron Survivor Challenge qualifiers |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/19/nxt-tv-results-11-19-moores-review-of-ridge-holland-vs-andre-chase-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-championship-at-nxt-deadline-iron-survivor-challenge-qualifiers/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241121185246/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/11/19/nxt-tv-results-11-19-moores-review-of-ridge-holland-vs-andre-chase-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-championship-at-nxt-deadline-iron-survivor-challenge-qualifiers/ |archive-date=November 21, 2024 |access-date=November 27, 2024 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} Two weeks later, he won a fatal four-way last chance match to qualify for the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline. However, he was later found attacked backstage{{cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=December 3, 2024 |title=NXT TV results (12/3): Moore's review of Iron Survivor Challenge last chance qualifiers, Eric Bischoff and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman appearances, Battle Royal for a shot at the NXT Tag Titles at Deadline |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/12/03/nxt-tv-results-12-3-moores-review-of-iron-survivor-challenge-last-chance-qualifiers-eric-bischoff-and-sean-x-pac-waltman-appearances-battle-royal-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-tag-titles-at-deadlin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208155157/https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/12/03/nxt-tv-results-12-3-moores-review-of-iron-survivor-challenge-last-chance-qualifiers-eric-bischoff-and-sean-x-pac-waltman-appearances-battle-royal-for-a-shot-at-the-nxt-tag-titles-at-deadlin/ |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |access-date=December 4, 2024 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} and was ruled out for NXT Deadline.{{Cite web |date=December 7, 2024 |title=Eddy Thorpe is OUT of the Men's Iron Survivor Challenge Match at Deadline |url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/eddy-thorpe-out-deadline |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=WWE |language=}} Two days after NXT Deadline on the December 10 episode of NXT, Thorpe confronted NXT Champion Trick Williams and demanded a title shot, which Williams agreed. Upon signing the title match contract, Thorpe revealed to NXT general manager Ava that he staged his own attack to ease his way into an NXT Championship match, turning heel in the process.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=December 10, 2024 |title=NXT TV results (12/10): Powell's review of the Deadline fallout show featuring Je'Von Evans vs. Wes Lee, Iron Survivor Challenge winner Oba Femi, Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolin vs. Jacy Jayne and Jazmyn Nyx |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/12/10/nxt-tv-results-12-10-powells-review-of-the-deadline-fallout-show-featuring-jevon-evans-vs-wes-lee-iron-survivor-challenge-winner-oba-femi-tatum-paxley-and-gigi-dolin-vs-jacy-jayne-and-jazmy/ |access-date=December 11, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}} The title match on the following week ended in a double pinfall and Williams retained his title.{{Cite web |last=Defelice |first=Robert |date=December 17, 2024 |title=NXT Title Match Between Eddy Thorpe And Trick Williams Ends In Controversy {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/nxt-title-match-between-eddy-thorpe-and-trick-williams-ends-controversy |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Fightful |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Jeremy |date=December 17, 2024 |title=Shawn Michaels Gets Into An Altercation With Eddy Thorpe After WWE NXT {{!}} Fightful News |url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/shawn-michaels-gets-altercation-eddy-thorpe-after-wwe-nxt |access-date=December 18, 2024 |website=Fightful |language=en}} After failing to win the NXT Championship again on separate occasions, Thorpe continued his feud with Williams, who had since lost the NXT Championship. The feud culminated in a strap match at NXT Vengeance Day on February 15, 2025, where Thorpe won in his first NXT PLE appearance.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=February 15, 2025 |title=NXT Vengeance Day results: Moore's live review of Oba Femi vs. Grayson Waller vs. Austin Theory for the NXT Championship, Giulia vs. Bayley vs. Roxanne Perez vs. Cora Jade for the NXT Women's Title |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/15/nxt-vengeance-day-results-moores-live-review-of-oba-femi-vs-grayson-waller-vs-austin-theory-for-the-nxt-championship-giulia-vs-bayley-vs-roxanne-perez-vs-cora-jade-for-the-nxt-womens-t/ |access-date=February 16, 2025 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}} On the March 18 episode of NXT, Williams defeated Thorpe in an NXT Underground match to end their feud.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=March 18, 2025 |title=NXT TV results (3/18): Moore's review of Trick Williams vs. Eddy Thorpe in an NXT Underground match, Chelsea Green vs. Sol Ruca for the Women's U.S. Title, Ricky Saints vs. Ridge Holland |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/03/18/nxt-tv-results-3-18-moores-review-of-trick-williams-vs-eddy-thorpe-in-an-nxt-underground-match-chelsea-green-vs-sol-ruca-for-the-womens-u-s-title-ricky-saints-vs-ridge-holland/ |access-date=March 19, 2025 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}

Personal life

Fredericks is a Native American and his WWE ring name is a reference to athlete and fellow Native American Jim Thorpe. Fredericks also incorporates his Native American heritage into his character by doing the Native American war dance in his entrance and by wearing tassels on his ring gear.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/nxt/karl-fredericks-gets-new-wwe-name-will-debut-on-nxt-level-up|title=Karl Fredericks gets new WWE name, will debut on NXT Level Up|first=Joseph|last=Currier|publisher=Wrestling Observer|date=February 17, 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/wwe/2023/2/17/23604100/former-new-japan-wrestler-karl-fredericks-new-wwe-name-eddy-thorpe-debut-level-up|title=Former New Japan wrestler gets a new name ahead of WWE debut|last=Rueter|first=Sean|publisher=Cageside Seats|date=February 17, 2023}}

Fredricks is currently in a relationship with New Zealand professional wrestler Cheree Crowley, who is best known under the ring name Dakota Kai.{{cite web |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Subhojeet |title=Dakota Kai Goes Public with New Relationship |url=https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/07/27/dakota-kai-goes-public-with-new-relationship/ |website=Ringside News |date=27 July 2024 |access-date=July 27, 2024 |language=en-US |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727180544/https://www.ringsidenews.com/2024/07/27/dakota-kai-goes-public-with-new-relationship/ |url-status=live }}

Championships and accomplishments

  • All Pro Wrestling
  • APW Worldwide Internet Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=169645|title=Karl Fredericks defeats Will Cuevas.|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
  • APW Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Styker{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=193991|title=Karl Fredericks & Styker defeat Reno SCUM (Adam Thornstowe & Luster The Legend) (c).|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
  • New Japan Pro-Wrestling
  • Young Lion Cup (2019)
  • Pro Championship Wrestling
  • PCW Inter-California Championship (1 time){{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=167665|title=Karl Fredericks defeats JJ King (c) and Styker.|access-date=November 23, 2021}}
  • Pro Wrestling Illustrated
  • Ranked No. 287 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2021{{cite web|url=https://wrestlingtravel.com/2021/09/21/pwi-500-2021-list-in-full/|title=PWI 500 2021 List In Full|publisher=Wrestling Travel|date=September 21, 2021|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922045945/https://wrestlingtravel.com/2021/09/21/pwi-500-2021-list-in-full/|archive-date=September 22, 2021|url-status=live}}

References

{{Reflist}}