Former NJPW star quietly signals departure from NXT roster
Summary
– Eddy Thorpe posted a farewell-style GIF hinting at his WWE exit
– He joined WWE in 2022 after a run in New Japan as Karl Fredericks
– Thorpe brought a unique style to NXT but had been absent from TV for weeks
Based on a subtle but telling social media post, Eddy Thorpe may have become the latest name to part ways with WWE. The NXT star shared a GIF from *Lords of Dogtown* showing a character flashing a peace sign—a move fans quickly interpreted as a silent goodbye.
Thorpe, whose real name is Karl Fredericks, signed with WWE in 2022 after building a name in New Japan Pro-Wrestling. In NXT, he adopted the name Eddy Thorpe as a tribute to Native American activist Redd Thunder Thorpe and brought a fresh identity to the brand.
His match quality and unique presence made an impact, including a standout RAW Underground-style bout with Dijak in 2023 that showcased his adaptability. Thorpe was considered a strong developmental prospect, though not consistently featured on television.
His absence from recent episodes of NXT has raised questions, and this latest post confirmed what many expected. While WWE has not issued a statement, Thorpe’s gesture appears to mark the end of his time with the company.
— エディ•ソープ (@EddyThorpe_WWE) May 2, 2025


