Former WWE NXT star Eddy Thorpe, now going by his real name Karl Fredericks, has broken his silence following his departure from WWE, offering raw and candid thoughts about why he walked away from the company.
In May 2025, WWE announced the release of multiple talents, including Thorpe. Shortly after, Fredericks took to Twitter/X to reveal that his exit was not a firing—but a personal decision.
“I asked for my release from WWE so I could do something f*cking meaningful with my life,” Fredericks wrote.
The former NJPW standout went on to criticize WWE for restricting his outside creative ventures, noting that he was denied the opportunity to DJ in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend.
“WWE wouldn’t let me DJ for free in Vegas Mania weekend, while other talent got to make money on their outside ventures,” he added.
Fredericks, who had been prominently featured during his time in NXT, didn’t shy away from clapping back at critics online. When one fan suggested he “couldn’t cut it” in WWE, Fredericks unleashed a series of sharp responses.
“I left WWE. Who was putting me in main events. Who featured me well for the better part of the last 3 years. Because I couldn’t cut it?”
Okay so let’s do it. This logic lol. I can tell by your bio you’re a dumb person but let’s fucking party.
I left WWE. Who was putting me in main events. Who featured me well for the better part of the last 3 years. Because I couldn’t cut it?
— エディ•ソープ (@KarlFredericks_) June 22, 2025
He continued:
“I turned down money that a vast majority of people do not see—because I couldn’t cut it? What does ‘cutting it’ even mean? I set the goal to work there. I spent a decade working for it. I got it. And in my experience, I came to the conclusion I didn’t want to do it.”
In a final, fiery tweet aimed directly at his online detractor, Fredericks wrote:
“And you—a weird motherfker running an account on the internet to project how much you hate yourself and your life, all while hiding behind a picture of Roman Reigns—LOL. C’mon man. Pro wrestling is rad. But it’s not that important. Get your fking sh*t together.”
And YOU. A weird motherfucker running an account of the internet so you can project how much you hate yourself and your life all while hiding behind a picture of Roman reigns lol. Cmon man.
Pro wrestling is rad. But it’s not important. Get your fucking shit together
— エディ•ソープ (@KarlFredericks_) June 22, 2025
Fredericks signed with WWE in 2022 after a successful run in NJPW, where he was part of the LA Dojo under Katsuyori Shibata. His unique blend of athleticism and charisma earned him a strong following, and many fans have expressed excitement about what’s next for him on his own terms.
Stay with PWMania.com for more on Karl Fredericks’ post-WWE journey and breaking updates from across the wrestling world.
