Former WWE NXT Superstar Makes AEW Debut

Since 2020, AEW has become the #1 alternate choice for WWE Superstars. The moment a talent is released by Vince McMahon’s company, it’s the Tony Khan-owned brand that first comes to their mind. While AEW already boasts of a stacked roster, it doesn’t seem like Khan has any intentions of slowing down new signings. Following WWE’s massive 2020 budget cuts, certain wrestlers signed with AEW while others went to Impact Wrestling and NJPW. Now that we’ve finally settled in 2023, yet another former WWE Superstar has debuted for AEW.

AEW held its latest set of AEW Dark tapings on January 28th from Universal Studios in Orlando. Former WWE talent EJ Nduka made his AEW debut by taking on Konosuke Takeshita in singles competition at the taping. It’s unknown whether Nduka has signed with AEW.

Ezekwesiri “EJ” Nduka Jr. is best known for his time with Major League Wrestling, where he was a former MLW World Tag Team Champion. He previously wrestled for WWE where he was known as Ezra Judge.

In December 2018, EJ Nduka received a tryout with WWE, and then shortly after went back in April 2019 for another tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando. 

After participating in two tryouts EJ Nduka signed a developmental contract with WWE on August 15, 2019. He was assigned to the Performance Center and began to wrestle under the ring name of Ezra Judge. On May 19, 2021, WWE released Nduka released from his contract.

EJ Nduka became a free agent on January 1st, but honored his January 7th date with Major League Wrestling. According to a report from Fightful Select, multiple companies have expressed their interest in Nduka.

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