EJ Nduka is proof that patience is more than just a virtue. This is a profile piece on the former MLW Champion and recent AEW signee.<\/p>\n
The wrestling landscape has never felt more dynamic. So much opportunity, so many options, and everyone – fans and wrestlers alike – demanding and pushing for their wants and desires.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s quickly becoming clich\u00e9 for wrestlers to \u201cshoot\u201d their frustrations; to demand opportunities. Whether a gimmick, a work or legit, some tell the world how they should be booked and treated.<\/p>\n
The justification is taken subjectively. The mileage a wrestler gains varies, but the reality is it only takes them so far.<\/p>\n
Lots of wrestlers are happy to talk smack. To \u201cshoot\u201d hard. And yet, EJ Nduka<\/strong>, a wrestler who has been on my radar after competing in MLW<\/strong> in 2021, proves patience is more than a virtue.<\/p>\n After leaving MLW in January 2023, online reports in June suggested Nduka had signed with AEW. <\/strong>During that time, fans waited to see what would happen to \u201cThe Judge\u201d. And have waited.<\/p>\n Yet, looking at Nduka\u2019s social media pages, everything posted or written shows he is motivated and ready when the call comes.<\/p>\n You\u2019d be reaching or in bad faith to suggest The Judge is anything but self-motivated, self-disciplined, and always self-improving. That\u2019s a lot of self-centric focus.<\/p>\n Yet, as pointed out during a short documentary, \u201cI am Nduka the Judge<\/a>\u201d<\/strong>, this isn\u2019t a gimmick. This is the man.<\/p>\n The Judge is confident because he knows his ability. That with focus and hard work Nduka will only improve.<\/p>\n Patience is more than a virtue. It separates Nduka from the potential pack of stars in waiting.<\/p>\n Rather than telling you he is the future with bombast, swears or blame, Nduka is going to show you when the opportunity is given.<\/p>\n \u201cAll I knew was how to work and how to grind, and so, humility always came first. That\u2019s why whenever I get an opportunity, I look it dead in the face and I cherish it because I know not everyone gets an opportunity,<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n EJ Nduka, \u201cI am Nduka The Judge\u201d<\/em>, Youtube<\/p>\n The son of Nigerian immigrants, Nduka was born in Dallas, Texas. By his own admission, he was born with the sauce.<\/p>\n Yet, Nduka was raised with the mentality that hard work and perseverance are required to achieve your goals in life. As an athlete, Nduka would often train harder to secure his spot.<\/p>\n Raised in Jackson, New Jersey, Nduka was a three-sport athlete. Playing basketball, running track, and playing football.<\/p>\n Nduka would go to Jacksonville University in Florida playing both basketball and football, but quickly decided to focus on football. Nduka was a defensive end before transferring to Sam Houston State in Texas, giving himself the nickname, \u201cThe Soul Collector\u201d due to his enjoyment of tackling and taking out the opposition.<\/p>\n Playing and understanding how football has its peaks and valleys helped Nduka keep humble. Realizing nothing is given and everything must be earned formed the bedrock of Nduka\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n Post-college, The Judge signed for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. He would also play arena football. Afterward, Nduka\u2019s attention turned to bodybuilding.<\/p>\n The Judge competed in the IFBB <\/strong>professionally in the Classic Physique division. When fans and wrestlers talk about the grind, few have lived it like Nduka.<\/p>\n Some wrestlers come from the disciplined world of football and bodybuilding. Few, however, have done both. Competing professionally in three sports, Nduka is in an elite club of wrestlers that includes Lex Luger<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Scouted by Scotty 2 Hotty<\/strong>, Nduka attended two Performance Centre trials for WWE<\/strong>. Signed on August 15, 2019, with the ring name Ezra Judge<\/strong>, the life lessons, determination and experiences of his prior sporting career helped Nduka slip into wrestling with ease.<\/p>\n However, what can not be taught is a love and passion for pro wrestling. Even with the right mindset, some athletes find wrestling is not for them.<\/p>\n EJ was not one of them, telling Sean Ross Sapp<\/strong> of Fightful<\/strong>:<\/p>\n “<\/strong><\/em>I fell in love with this business in the last 20 months. This business is unique, amazing, and captivating. It’s something I’ve fell in love with. I love going to practice, going to weights, watching film, skull (sessions), all that stuff. There’s so much detail and so much to it. I was telling my buddy, ‘If I have to go to war, I’m bringing a wrestler with me.’ Wrestlers are some of the most phenomenal athletes in the world and you have to be mentally sharp and cognitive.” <\/em><\/p>\n EJ Nduka, Fightful.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n In his short time in NXT<\/strong><\/em>, The Judge made an impact in training and with the coaches. Nduka understood the hierarchy of wrestling and the need to pay dues and earn respect.<\/p>\n Seizing each opportunity, from setting up and taking down the ring, training hard, and watching other people\u2019s classes to soak in as much knowledge as possible. Positive feedback came from everyone.<\/p>\n Nduka\u2019s work ethic was even praised and compared with The Rock<\/strong>\u2019s by Triple H<\/strong>. Terry Taylor<\/strong>, on the Friday before Nduka\u2019s release told him how everyone had nothing but positive things to say about his abilities and work.<\/p>\n He was also told that someday he would make lots of money in the business.<\/p>\n All this positivity would leave Nduka surprised and feeling \u201cblindsided\u201d by his release. Although WWE\u2019s loss became MLW and the Indies’ gain. A story about a confrontation between Nduka and then NXT referee Drake Wuertz<\/strong> (former deathmatch wrestler Drake Younger<\/strong>) also made its way through the grapevine.<\/p>\n It made Nduka a wrestling folk hero and stand out from the crop of releases. Something Jamie Greer<\/strong> has written about here<\/a>.<\/p>\n However, any conspiracy theories to suggest this was the reason for the release ignore The Judge\u2019s own account. Nduka stood up for himself against a demanding veteran who was asking him and another trainee to do something while they were already occupied.<\/p>\n Refusing to be shouted at or talked down to, Nduka said he received no backlash or ill will for standing up for himself. NXT trainer Robbie Brookside<\/strong> told him \u201cGood on you\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n There were no further issues with Wuertz. With a three-week-old son and without his \u201cdream job\u201d during the Pandemic, it wasn\u2019t fear that gripped Nduka – it was urgency.<\/p>\n The need to provide as a father and a husband became the driving force. It became the impetus to become \u201cThe Judge\u201d.<\/p>\n To put all that hard work and creativity into the character that it would become in MLW. Post-release, Nduka had offers from various promotions.<\/p>\n What made MLW so appealing was their focus on Nduka\u2019s future. MLW\u2019s ability to maximize a wrestler’s strength and size is something I\u2019ve discussed elsewhere that WWE and AEW could learn from (here<\/a>).<\/p>\n The Judge debuted for MLW during Battle Riot III<\/em><\/strong>, the promotion\u2019s version of the Royal Rumble<\/em><\/strong>. Entering at number 22, Nduka eliminated 10 men, throwing them from the ring like they were paper airplanes.<\/p>\n The Judge set a new record for MLW with the most eliminations. Those eliminated included future MLW World Champion, Alex Kane<\/strong> (who has been profiled here<\/a>) and former Strikeforce<\/strong> MMA fighter King Mo<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The Judge would exit the match via a double elimination with future tag team partner, Calvin Tankman<\/strong>. Post-Battle Riot<\/em>, The Judge offered his services to the number one contender and future MLW World Heavyweight Champion, Alex Hammerstone<\/strong> (whose profile can be found here<\/a>) in his war against Contra Unit<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Joining Team Dynasty<\/strong> for War Chamber<\/em><\/strong>, MLW\u2019s WarGames<\/strong><\/em> variant, Nduka\u2019s power and athleticism were again showcased. Nduka\u2019s charisma strengthens his traditional big-man offense.<\/p>\n The prowess and intensity of his offense hit with believability. Spears, clotheslines, suplexes, and spinebusters are wince-inducing. Less is more, when the sauce is this potent.<\/p>\n Behind the scenes, Nduka\u2019s confidence grew as he seized control of his character. Deciding quickly to ask for bullet points instead of just following the script allowed The Judge to become a more defined character.<\/p>\n Nduka\u2019s mindset, to show in and show out, was clear in those early showings. By February, The Judge formed a team with Tankman, Hustle and Power<\/strong>.<\/p>\n The heavy hitters won the MLW World Tag Team Championships in their first match teaming together. The pair were popular with fans for their combined sauce and tandem hard-hitting offense.<\/p>\n Nduka\u2019s standout singles moment in MLW came during his MLW World Heavyweight Championship shot against Alex Hammerstone in a last-man-standing match.<\/p>\n \u201cIn 2022 I said I was going to shock the world, and I did I was the fastest rising star in pro wrestling. I went from no one knowing who I\u00a0am at the performance centre to world tag team champion in less than a year<\/em>\u2026 At the beginning of 2023, I was blessed with the opportunity to have an AEW Dark match with one of the best wrestlers in the world.\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nEJ Nduka Is Built On The Grind<\/h3>\n
Nothing But Good Things To Say<\/h3>\n
Blindsided and Blessed<\/h3>\n
The Judge Goes To Work<\/h3>\n
From Dark To In the Dark<\/h3>\n
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