Clark Connors says he's happy for Karl Fredericks.
Connors and Fredericks came up together through the dojo system in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In recent years, they have been featured together on NJPW STRONG. In August 2022, Fredericks announced that his deal had expired, and he wouldn't be re-signing. PWInsider subsequently reported that Fredericks signed with WWE and started at the company's performance center.
Speaking on the Shining Wizards Wrestling Podcast, Connors was asked to share his thoughts on Fredericks' reported signing. He made it clear that's he's happy for Fredericks, and he praised Karl's talent. Connors described how Fredericks is both a "phenomenal" wrestler and a superstar. He also joked about hoping Fredericks would help open up a spot for him.
"It’s awesome. I’m so happy for him. I think I might be more happy for him than he’s happy for himself even. He originally turned down a WWE contract to train with WWE. He was already ready to do that four years ago. Karl is older then me, he’s like 32 right now, 31 or 32, and I’m always like, ‘You gotta make the most of your time, dude. You gotta go there, you gotta make money, and they’re gonna use you and respect,’ because he’s a phenomenal wrestler, but he’s a phenomenal superstar, which is what they look for over there. In my opinion, I think he’s gonna do really great things quickly. Then hopefully he cozies up close with the bosses [so there’s] a spot for me when I’m ready to rock," Connors said.
Connors went on to describe how Fredericks was the "superstar" of the LA Dojo group. He noted that they knew Fredericks would be the one who could have an action figure of himself or get his face on a box of Wheaties, and they're excited for him.
"He was and is the man. It was always nice because when we’re together, we’d take inventory of each other, in terms of, the four of us, Alex, Gabe, myself, Karl, we’re very honest with each other about what we need to fix, what we need to do, who we are as wrestlers. We’ve always said that. Out of the whole group, Karl’s a superstar. He’s the guy you could see having an action figure and on box of Wheaties and shit, and that’s his role. So it’s always been that way, and we love it and we’re excited for it," Connors said.
Connors previously reflected on his match at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. Check out his comments here.
In the same interview, Connors discussed his own contract status. Click here to see what he had to say.
Check out the card for this week's episode of NJPW STRONG here.
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