Eddy Thorpe’s road to NXT Deadline was as intense as it was controversial, capped off with a Last Chance Qualifier victory over Lexis King, Cedric Alexander, and Axiom. But as the dust settled, a backstage attack has left his participation in Saturday’s Iron Survivor Challenge—and his shot at an NXT Championship opportunity—shrouded in mystery.
The Last Chance Mayhem
The match itself was a masterclass in chaos, with all four participants pulling out their best moves to claim the coveted final spot in the Iron Survivor Challenge. Highlights included a jaw-dropping Super Spanish Fly from Axiom to Thorpe, a fiery splash from Alexander, and the Golden Ratio that seemed poised to give Axiom the win.
But wrestling is a game of timing, and Thorpe proved he had the smarts (or luck) to capitalize. After Axiom hit King with his finishing move, Thorpe dragged Axiom out of the ring and swooped in for the pinfall. With that, he secured his place in the high-stakes match at NXT Deadline.
Iron Survivor Challenge Lineup
Thorpe now joins a stacked field featuring Ethan Page, Wes Lee, Je’Von Evans, and reigning NXT Tag Team Champions Nathan Frazer and Axiom. The stakes are monumental: the winner earns a shot at Trick Williams’ NXT Championship at New Year’s Evil.
Page, the former NXT Champion, even joined the commentary team for the match, adding another layer of tension to Thorpe’s journey.
The Mysterious Backstage Attack
However, as the show closed, the celebrations turned grim. Thorpe was discovered unconscious backstage, raising questions about his condition for Saturday’s show. Was this an unfortunate accident, or did someone in the Iron Survivor lineup see Thorpe as a threat worth neutralizing? With his status unclear, the NXT Deadline card may be forced to adapt on the fly.
Final Thoughts
Thorpe’s victory cements his place as a rising star in NXT, but the road to the Iron Survivor Challenge just got a lot more perilous. If he can make it to Deadline, he’ll face some of the best in the business—but if he doesn’t, the mystery of who attacked him may become the bigger story. Either way, this Saturday’s NXT Deadline just became must-see TV.