Karl Fredericks

Fredericks in April 2021

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Reno, Nevada, United States

**Karl Fredericks** (born July 15, 1990) is an American professional wrestler best known for his work with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). Fredericks was previously working as a "young lion" in the L.A Dojo, while also being the winner of 2019 Young Lion Cup. Frederick graduated on July 2022 and moved to the heavyweight division, where despite being sporadically pushed, he spent most times on the mid-card before leaving NJPW in beginning of August of 2022.

## Professional wrestling career

### Early career (2015–2018)

Fredericks began his professional wrestling career in May 2015, working in the American independent circuit for promotions such as All Pro Wrestling, Pro Championship Wrestling, Supreme Pro Wrestling. During his stint in All Pro Wrestling and Pro Championship Wrestling, Federicks won the APW Worldwide Internet Championship and the APW Tag Team Championship with Reno Over Everything and Styker under the freebird rule, while at Pro Championship Wrestling he won the PCW Inter-California Championship. He would work in the independent circuit until August 2018, when Fredericks passed a try-out to enter in the NJPW L.A. dojo.

### New Japan Pro Wrestling (2018–2022)

In August 2018, Fredericks became one of the first trainees of the NJPW L.A. dojo and started his work as a "young lion", being trained by Katsuyori Shibata. On November 10, at Lion's Break Project 1, Fredericks made his debut against fellow NJPW L.A. dojo young lion Alex Coughlin, which ended in a time limit draw. As is customary for most young lions, Fredericks spent most of his matches losing to other, more experienced wrestlers, which would help put over other wrestlers while at the same time give Fredericks some in-ring, televised, experience. Through NJPW's international partnerships Fredericks made his debut in American promotion Ring of Honor (ROH), on January 24, 2019, taking part in the 2019 Tag Wars tournament, teaming with Alex Coughlin in a losing effort against Lifeblood (David Finlay and Juice Robinson) in the first round. Fredericks and Coughlin continued working on ROH for the remained of the month. As part of the international partnerships, Fredericks made his debut in British promotion Revolution Pro Wrestling (RPW), on June 29 at Ungovernable show, teaming with Coughlin and Brendan White in a losing effort against Gabriel Kidd, Kenneth Halfpenny and Shaun Jackson. On July 13, Fredericks and Coughlin made their official debut in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, during the 2019 G1 Climax, teaming with KENTA in a losing effort against Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ren Narita and Shota Umino. Afterwards, Fredericks and Coughlin and the young lions from L.A. dojo entered in a rivalry with the young lions from the Japan dojo that was build up during the 2019 G1 Climax and Super J-Cup tours. In September, Fredericks won the 2019 Young Lion Cup, after finishing it with a record of six wins and one loss, becoming the first gaijin to win the tournament. From November 16 until December 8, Fredericks and Hirooki Goto took part in the 2019 World Tag League, failing to win the tournament with a record of three wins and twelve losses.

On July 1, 2020, during an interview, with NJPW color commentator Kevin Kelly, Fredericks announced he was no longer a young lion, he also announced that he was graduating to the heavyweight division. Later that month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Fredericks was unable to work for NJPW events in Japan, leading him to take part in *Lion's Break Collision*series, during which he developed a short feud with Jeff Cobb, culminating in a match, which Fredericks faced him in a losing effort. The following month, Fredericks took part in the New Japan Cup USA, as part of the *NJPW Strong* series, losing to eventual winner KENTA in the first round on August 7. On April 30, 2021, at LA Dojo Showcase, Fredericks graduated from his young lion status, after defeating fellow young lion Clark Connors.

On June 25, 2021, Fredericks challenged Tom Lawlor for the Strong Openweight Championship in a losing effort. Since then, Fredericks has continued to appear on NJPW Strong, as well as making appearances in West Coast Pro Wrestling and Revolution Pro Wrestling, before forming a team with Alex Coughlin.

On August 14 at Resurgence, Will Ospreay made his return from injury, announcing that he was medically cleared to return in-ring competition, before as the "real IWGP World Heavyweight Championship" belt, before stating that he would be appearing on *NJPW Strong* defending his title. Afterwards, Ospreay began feuding with the members of the LA Dojo, being confronted by Fredericks, Clark Connors, and TJP. During his feud with the LA Dojo, TJP who had previously align with Fredericks, turned on him, and joined the United Empire at Autumn Attack.

On Augsut 1, Frederick released a statement on his *Twitter* account that he was not resigning with NJPW and that he would be leaving the promotion, citing disapointment, whilst thanking his peers and fans for their support. Prior to his departure Fredericks previously voiced his displasure with the promotion after he claimed that his work was disrespected after he was not selected to participate in the 2022 G1 Climax tournament.

## Personal life

Fredericks is of Native American descent, with Northern Paiute heritage.

Outside of wrestling, Fredericks has composed and produced several of his fellow Dojo members' theme songs, currently knowing to have produced Clark Connors's theme as well as his own.

Fredericks occasionally livestreams on Twitch.tv, performing DJ sets. The following and community he has generated as part of both his wrestling and livestreaming he has called "*The Pack*".

## In wrestling

* **Finishing moves**
	+ Boston crab - 2018-2020
	+ Elevated single leg Boston crab - 2018-2020, used occasionally thereafter
	+ *MD - Manifest Destiny* (Lifting DDT) - 2020-2022
* **Signature moves**
	+ Jumping elbow drop, with theatrics
	+ Delayed corner dropkick - adopted from Katsuyori Shibata
	+ Dropkick
	+ Spinebuster
	+ Split-legged leapfrog into a back-turned crossbody
	+ Sleeper hold - adopted from Katsuyori Shibata
* **Nicknames**
	+ "(The) Alpha Wolf"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ "Alpha" by Karl Fredericks

## Championships and accomplishments

* **New Japan Pro-Wrestling**
	+ Young Lion Cup (2019)

## External links

* NJPW Japanese profile
* NJPW English profile