Released NXT Talent's First Post-WWE Matches Revealed

A released NXT wrestler's first matches post-WWE have been revealed

Aidan Gibbons smiling in front of a green screen in an Adidas hoodie

Jul 29, 2025

WWE NXT logo which is black and silver

The former Eddy Thorpe has returned to independent wrestling following his WWE release earlier this year and the former NXT star has revealed he will be going by his real name of Karl Fredericks once again.

Fredericks made a surprise appearance for West Coast Pro Wrestling over the weekend and the former WWE talent has since been announced for the indy promotion's event on September 5 in San Francisco. The first match for Fredericks since his WWE release was also revealed on Sunday night as Jersey Championship Wrestling announced the former Eddy Thorpe will go one-on-one with Mance Warner on Sunday, September 21.

Karl Fredericks was a part of WWE from 2022 until he was released by the company on May 2 as part of roster cuts which included Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Cora Jade, and Fredericks' girlfriend Dakota Kai. Fredericks has claimed since his WWE exit that he requested his release from the company so he could "do something f*cking meaningful" with his life. Fredericks also criticised WWE for blocking him from performing a free DJ set during WrestleMania 41 weekend.

Thorpe added: "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."

Prior to signing with WWE, Karl Fredericks was a product of the New Japan Dojo until he exited the promotion in 2022.

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