On November 19, 2024, Eddy Thorpe lost an Iron Survivor Challenge qualifying match to Nathan Frazer due in part to some chaos and interference, which didn't sit well with him. After weeks of trying to talk to Ava about turning his career around, only to be ignored time and time again, Thorpe was beginning to lash out about what he considered unfair treatment.
After that, though, he actually earned his way into the match by winning a Last Chance qualifier, defeating Cedric Alexander, Lexis King and Axiom. But later, in the same night, he was attacked by a mystery assailant backstage.
This would go on to rule him out of competing in the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline, wherein he was replaced by Oba Femi, who would go on to win it and the title shot against Trick Williams for NXT New Year's Evil on January 7, 2025.
On tonight's episode of NXT, Thorpe interrupted a promo between Femi and Williams to accuse Femi of being his attacker, but admitting he didn't have any evidence and was more upset at Williams for not being a locker room leader and pressing the issue to figure out what happened to Thorpe. After hurling some insults at Trick and antagonizing the champion, Williams challenged Thorpe to a match with the NXT Championship on the line, just so he could shut him up and prove him and the other doubters wrong.
At the end of the episode, Thorpe was seen in Ava's office, signing the contract for his title match, set to take place next week. Ava also informed him that they were still looking into who had attacked him. But the investigation was a waste of time, apparently, as Thorpe revealed he knew exactly who attacked him: himself!
Thorpe faked the whole thing. This was a means for him to get an NXT Championship shot without having to go through "25 minutes of hell" and four other Superstars in the Iron Survivor Challenge at NXT Deadline.
He's gotten his wish, and Thorpe will indeed face Williams for the NXT title next week. Whether he can win the title when push comes to shove remains to be seen.
For those curious, here is the full lineup of what has been announced for next week's episode of NXT:
- NXT Championship Match: Trick Williams (c) vs. Eddy Thorpe
- Axiom vs. Oba Femi
- NXT Tag Team Championship Match: Axiom & Nathan Frazer (c) vs. Gallus (Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)
- Sol Ruca & Zaria vs Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson
What do you think of Eddy Thorpe's deception? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!