Eddy Thorpe, formerly known as Karl Fredericks in New Japan, has a bold geometric sleeve on his right arm and finer, more varied work on his left. The photos here are from NXT Vengeance Day in February 2025. Thorpe has spoken about his Native American heritage, but the photographs don’t establish a personal meaning for every pattern.
Right shoulder tattoo: black panels and a zigzag edge
A wide black panel wraps around Thorpe’s right shoulder. Smaller triangles break up the dark fill, and a zigzag of bare skin runs along its edge. The pale gaps remain visible as the design rounds the shoulder and continues down the arm.
Right forearm tattoo: triangles continuing down the sleeve
On the right forearm, larger triangles and narrow open lines continue the same sleeve past the elbow. The pattern tapers toward Thorpe’s wrist, where wrist tape covers the lower edge. The upper arm has more solid black; farther down, the skin gaps between shapes become larger.
Left upper arm tattoo: fine outlines across the shoulder
Thorpe’s left shoulder is made up of finer illustrative lines, curves and small enclosed shapes. The outline follows the rounded shoulder and drops unevenly toward the elbow rather than ending in a straight band. It has a more open, drawn look than the solid panels on his right arm.
Left forearm tattoo: shaded feather-like forms
Long, feather-like forms run down Thorpe’s left forearm, with thin lines beside darker shading. The pieces overlap and follow the arm’s length. Wrist tape hides part of the lower edge, but the change from fine shoulder outlines to this darker, softer design is clear.
Inner left arm tattoo: a long arrow
A long arrow sits on the inside of Thorpe’s left upper arm. Its pointed head faces the elbow, while a darker cluster of fletching sits nearer the armpit. The arrow is less visible when his arm rests at his side, but shows clearly when he raises it. The open skin around it gives the simple outline space apart from the larger designs; Thorpe hasn’t explained a specific meaning for it here.
In the video below, Thorpe—then wrestling as Karl Fredericks—talks with Wrestle Inn about his wrestling career and interests.