A FORMER Bradford Bulls Academy ace lost out in his second chance at earning a major 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 was given a second championship chance in a match with fellow superstar Johnny Gargano on NXT overnight.
Holland lost the contest and it was Gargano who advanced to the championship ladder match at NXT TakeOver XXX this Saturday.
Here are a few tweets showing the story of last night’s match:
Who will advance to the #NATitle #LadderMatch this Saturday at #NXTTakeOver: XXX?@RidgeWWE is looking to DISMANTLE @JohnnyGargano on #WWENXT! pic.twitter.com/kr5kBBPb9M
— WWE (@WWE) August 20, 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.
SCOUTED. #WWENXT @RidgeWWE @JohnnyGargano pic.twitter.com/oUZ4bq0Ji6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) August 20, 2020
As Ridge Holland, he walks to the ring wearing a flat cap, calling himself the Bother Causer and using Northern Grit as a hashtag.
ALL ❤️.
— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) August 20, 2020
Despite a setback, @JohnnyGargano defeats @RidgeWWE to advance to the NXT #NATTitle #LadderMatch at this Saturday's #NXTTakeOver. #WWENXT @CandiceLeRae pic.twitter.com/kibwPPBM41
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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