Eddy Thorpe parted ways with WWE in May, recently revealing the reasons behind his request for release. During an interview with Wrasslerap, Thorpe shared that his mental state began to deteriorate around WrestleMania 41 weekend. He already sensed things were not going his way a week or two before the event, and even after attending a meeting with Shawn Michaels, he found no support, matches, or opportunities lined up for him.
Thorpe criticized WWE’s practice of taking wrestlers off television for weeks to build momentum, which ultimately killed their buzz. Although he disagreed with this approach, he accepted it as part of the business. He mentioned that he requested to DJ small afterparties during WrestleMania weekend, offering to do it for free under a different name. Initially, Shawn Michaels said he didn’t mind but would check with management. However, a week later, Thorpe was told WWE did not approve, which deeply upset him, especially after his negative experience DJing on TV.
He also highlighted how other wrestlers are able to pursue side projects and get paid, while he saw lesser-known talents and YouTubers getting prominent opportunities, leaving NXT stars feeling overlooked. Thorpe reflected on his final character in WWE—a “greedy white man”—contrasted with his real-life role as an educator representing Native culture, which he felt was reduced to a watered-down gimmick. He recounted being asked to perform stereotypical cultural acts like a sweat lodge for entertainment, which he found disrespectful and hollow.
Thorpe lamented that his culture was trivialized for WWE storylines, with only one other Native wrestler on the roster who was soon to be released. Their key “cultural moment” was limited to vague, poorly understood footage shown in NXT. Feeling that he was being forced to cheapen sacred traditions, Thorpe internally struggled and eventually decided he could no longer be part of WWE. Despite respect from young fans, he no longer believed in the system and told WWE staff he couldn’t stay any longer.
Now, Thorpe is focused on building a life and career aligned with his values and passions, looking ahead to what’s next in his journey.
Fan Take: Eddy Thorpe’s candid revelations highlight the challenges wrestlers face when their cultural identities clash with mainstream wrestling narratives. This story matters because it calls for greater respect and authenticity in how WWE represents diverse backgrounds, which could ultimately enrich the sport and its connection with fans.
