AEW: Collision has yet to air its first episode but it is already creating news for a variety of reasons. Notably, CM Punk will return to All Elite fray as part of the new program, along with other stars that haven’t been seen in a while, like Thunder Rosa, Miro, and Andrade El Idolo. There is also the budding noise making the rounds about a potential AEW roster split, breaking Dynamite and Collision into two distinct brands. Tony Khan recently noted he has not made hard plans in regard to a potential roster split but with his locker room expanding rapidly, it may not be a bad idea.
Fightful is reporting that Khan signed another big free agent to an AEW contract quite a while ago, former MLW star and WWE developmental talent, “The Judge” EJ Nduka. With his football and bodybuilding background, Nduka was viewed as a blue chip, sure thing when he was initially signed to WWE back in 2018. Billed at 6’8″ and 285 lbs, there didn’t appear to be much downside, and it caught many by surprise when he was released by the company in 2021 without ever making his in-ring debut for NXT.
Following his release, Major League Wrestling quickly stepped in and put the big man under contract, announcing his addition to the company as part of their Open Draft. Shortly after his arrival, he was briefly paired with The Dynasty, filling the void MJF left behind, but his run is likely most known for the MLW Tag Team Championship run he had alongside Calvin Tankman. Nduka’s contract with MLW ended at Blood & Thunder on January 7 of this year, and the two sides look to have ended on good terms.
A few weeks after his exit from MLW, Nduka took on Konosuke Takeshita at the January 28 taping of AEW: Dark. His performance must have been on point because following the bout, Khan signed him to a deal, and he has not been seen in the ring since. He was spotted around LA for WrestleMania festivities but it appears he was already under an AEW contract at that point.
For those that have not seen his work, Nduka is an impressive performer, and there is no doubt a litany of quality matches he could have with members of the AEW roster. With AEW: Collision opening up more time for talent to find their way to TV, don’t be surprised if The Judge holds court on Saturday nights.