Karl Fredericks gets new WWE name, will debut on NXT Level Up

Former NJPW wrestler Karl Fredericks is set to make his WWE television debut on NXT Level Up.

Now going by the name "Eddy Thorpe," Fredericks will take on Dante Chen on the NXT Level Up episode that airs this Friday. The show airs on Peacock/WWE Network at 10 p.m. Eastern time.

"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," WWE.com wrote. "Chen is 6-3 in his last nine matches on NXT Level Up, having most recently picked up a hard-earned win against Kale Dixon."

Fredericks departed NJPW in August 2022. After being spotted at the WWE Performance Center last September, he officially started with WWE last month.

Fredericks made his first WWE appearance at an NXT house show on January 20.

Fredericks using "Thorpe" as his last name in NXT appears to be a tribute to legendary Native American athlete Jim Thorpe.

The full card for this week's Level Up is listed below:

• Ivy Nile vs. Valentina Feroz
• Eddy Thorpe vs. Dante Chen
• Oba Femi vs. Xyon Quinn