EJ Nduka To Shock The World In 2022
“The Judge” returns to Philly for MLW Kings of Colosseum on May 13.
Philadelphia holds a special place in the giant heart of EJ Nduka.
Just two months after being released by WWE, the 6′ 8″, 290-pound powerhouse debuted for MLW as part of Battle Riot III at the 2300 Arena. Entering at No. 22, the Dallas native went on to clean house, racking up 10 eliminations – the most that night and tying Tom Lawlor for the record.
Three months later, at MLW Fightland, he was the sole survivor in a 12-man tag team match, which included top talent like Richard Holliday and King Mo. In November, with just a handful of matches to his name, EJ Nduka had his first main event, emerging victorious in the War Chamber against Contra Unit.
Now, “The Judge” looks forward to returning to the “City of Brotherly Love” on May 13 for MLW Kings of Colosseum. Tickets go on sale Feb. 3 at 10 a.m. EST at MLW2300.com.
“One of the things I was concerned about was if the MLW crowd would know who I was,” EJ Nduka told The Wrestling Estate. “But the Philly crowd has shown me love since my MLW debut. After the show, they’re asking me for 8x10s. I didn’t have any because it wasn’t a thing in NXT. But you better believe I went and got all that done for the next show.”
Of course, merchandise accounts for a large portion of wrestlers’ income, especially those not signed to lucrative contracts with WWE or AEW. Nduka actually made most of the designs for his merch. At 14 years old, he taught himself Adobe, Photoshop, Final Cut Pro, etc. In high school, he and the majority of the football team took a television communications and technology class that was taught by the wide receiver coach.
“Even when I got to college and was putting together PowerPoint presentations and editing my own videos, professors were so impressed they asked who I hired to do it,” Nduka says.
Those college days took on a whole new meaning to “higher” learning for Nduka. He graduated high school at 5’10, 180 pounds, and by sophomore year at Sam Houston State University, he stood 6’5 and weighed 265. “I came home and my parents didn’t even recognize me,” he says. “My mom came to my dorm and went through all my food, asking ‘how did you grow so fast?’”
His parents knew his destiny was as a professional athlete. After all, Nduka played football since he was 7 years old, eventually competing in the FCS National Championship. At a regional combine ahead of the 2012 NFL draft, he posted a 42.5″ vertical jump and 10′ 2″ broad jump, as well as 33 reps on the 225-pound bench press, Sports Illustrated reported. He ended up playing in the Indoor Football League, Canadian Football League, National Indoor Football League and the Arena Football League.
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After his football career ended in 2014, he became a professional bodybuilder, which earned him two tryouts with WWE. Signed in the summer of 2019, he spent most of his tenure learning in the WWE Performance Center. Surprisingly, last May, he was part of the budget cuts to NXT, which also included former MMA Horsewomen member Jessamyn Duke and beloved indie standout Brandi Lauren.
“In hindsight, it’s almost a huge blessing that I was released during that time because I got an opportunity with MLW and we’ve just created magic,” Nduka says. Regarding MLW’s recent lawsuit against WWE, he says, “I just drink water and mind my own business. I don’t know much about it, I don’t know any details. I’m just worried about my space and elevating ‘The Judge’ to being one of the most incredible pro wrestlers in the business.”
Before MLW returns to its home base of Philly this spring, the renegade promotion swings through Charlotte, NC on Feb 26 for SuperFight at the Grady Cole Center. The only match announced thus far is enough to get folks to plop down their hard-earned money for a ticket: Hammerstone defends the MLW World Heavyweight Championship against Davey Richards.
While EJ Nduka is looking forward to that “banger,” he also has his sights set on gold in 2022.
“Hammerstone is a real cool guy,” he says. “Before my debut match in MLW, I chopped it up with him a lot backstage. He’s very approachable, knowledgeable and his psychology is similar to mine. We share the same vision – be great in our respective space and continue to elevate MLW and elevate ourselves.
And shock the world.”
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