A FORMER Bradford Bulls Academy ace has been given a second chance to earn a wrestling title shot tonight.
Luke Menzies, who wrestles under the character name Ridge Holland, had initially missed out on a future North American Championship match in his bow for World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE’s) NXT promotion earlier this month.
He lost out in a triple threat bout, where all three wrestlers compete in the ring at the same time, against Oney Lorcan and match winner Damian Priest.
But he has been given a second championship chance in a match with fellow superstar Johnny Gargano on NXT overnight tonight. The winner will go on to battle in a ladder match at NXT TakeOver XXX this Saturday.
The NXT promotion often proves to be a springboard to becoming a superstar for the main WWE roster, alongside such stars as Drew McIntyre and Randy Orton.
Previewing the match, Menzies, as Ridge Holland, tweeted:
That North American Championship needs a touch of #YorkshireGrit. I’ll be seein ya! #BOTHERCAUSER #WWENXT https://t.co/8AGiK3Bo38
— Ridge Holland (@RidgeWWE) August 19, 2020
Menzies, 32, now lives in Orlando, was a former Spen Valley Sports College in Liversedge student, who stays true to his West Yorkshire roots in his wrestling persona.
As Ridge Holland, he walks to the ring wearing a flat cap, calling himself the Bother Causer and using Northern Grit as a hashtag.
Mr Menzies still has strong roots in the Bradford district as his father, Alan Menzies, who used to play rugby league for Odsal Sedbergh, lives in Shipley.
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