Former WWE NXT star Eddy Thorpe—also known to wrestling fans as Karl Fredericks during his New Japan Pro-Wrestling run—has shed light on the emotional turmoil and communication breakdown that led to his recent WWE release. In a raw and revealing interview with Wrasslerap, the 35-year-old offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into his final days with WWE, including a strained and ultimately unresolved interaction with WWE Hall of Famer and NXT head booker Shawn Michaels.
A promising start ends in silence
Thorpe signed with WWE in January 2023 following a seven-year career in NJPW and spent his tenure working under Shawn Michaels on NXT. Despite showing promise, including a high-profile feud with Trick Williams over the NXT Championship, Eddy Thorpe’s momentum seemed to stall—culminating in his release on May 2, 2025, amid a wave of roster cuts.
But it’s what happened behind the scenes that’s truly raising eyebrows.
Eddy Thorpe: "I had that breakdown on Thursday night"
Thorpe shared that he suffered a severe mental health episode days before a scheduled NXT live event. In distress, he reached out directly to Michaels:
“I had that breakdown on Thursday night. I was supposed to wrestle at a live event on Saturday. I told Shawn, ‘Shawn, I’m reaching out to let you know that I’m not going to be at the live event tomorrow. I’m not in a good place to talk about this, but a talk is urgent, and I just can’t do it.’”
According to Thorpe, Shawn Michaels acknowledged the message and agreed to speak—but the conversation was delayed, then postponed again. Meanwhile, Thorpe received several wellness checks from WWE’s medical team, which he believes were triggered by certain “key words” he used in his message. Though appreciative of the outreach, Eddy Thorpe still felt unheard by the man he most needed to speak with.
“I really need to talk to Shawn, and I wanted to make sure I had my s*** together before I did it... it was beyond pro wrestling.”
Final Straw: “I want to leave”
Frustrated by what he perceived as avoidance, Thorpe recounted a pivotal moment:
“So Wednesday, he says, ‘Any update on how you’re feeling?’ And at this point, I’m frustrated. I told him, ‘I’ll feel better once we talk.’ He said, ‘It will have to wait till Monday as I have you in the Battle Royal on Tuesday. Will that work?’”
That delay, Eddy Thorpe said, was too much. He responded, “Shawn, I want to leave.” Michaels reportedly accepted the decision and initiated the release process.
“Part of me also thinks that Shawn wasn’t going to talk about me,” Thorpe added, underscoring his belief that the conversation he desperately needed was never going to happen.
A complicated legacy
The two shared screen time during NXT programming, with their tension spilling into a December 2024 storyline where Thorpe physically confronted Shawn Michaels. But beyond the scripted drama, Eddy Thorpe’s revelations paint a picture of a performer who felt lost in the system—mentally struggling and ultimately unheard.