From British independent rings to the bright lights of WWE's NXT brand
In short: Before becoming Mason Rook in WWE, Will Kroos was a standout star on the British independent circuit. From winning championships in Progress Wrestling to competing in Japan with Pro Wrestling Noah, his journey highlights the rigorous path required to reach the pinnacle of professional wrestling.
Born on 28 October 1996, William Walker began his professional journey after training at Fight Factory Wrestling in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. Under the guidance of Hayden "Dutch" Loeve, Walker emerged as a leading graduate of the academy, making his professional debut in 2017 under the ring name Will Kroos. His early career was marked by a debut at Hope Wrestling's Evolution 47, where he defeated Shogun J.
Kroos' ascent through the British independent scene saw him capture multiple titles, including the FFW Heavyweight Championship and the Progress Atlas Championship. His success in the UK led to international opportunities, specifically through a business relationship between British promotions and Pro Wrestling Noah in Japan. He competed in several high-profile events in Japan, including Sunny Voyage 2025 and Noah The New Year 2026, where he eventually lost his Atlas Championship to Saxon Huxley on 1 January 2026.
His transition to the global stage occurred in 2026. Following his last independent bout in April, he appeared in WWE on the 28 April 2026 NXT episode. Adopting the ring name Mason Rook, he quickly became a focal point of the brand, engaging in a heated rivalry with Kam Hendrix. Despite a successful run that included qualifying for an NXT Championship match in September 2026, his momentum was interrupted when he was not medically cleared to compete, leaving his future in the ring uncertain for the foreseeable future.
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