Brief Introduction of Ridge Holland
Ridge Holland, born Luke Menzies, is an English professional wrestler and former professional rugby league player who has carved out a formidable presence in the world of sports entertainment. Currently signed to WWE, he is known for his raw power, brawling style, and intense in-ring demeanor. Hailing from Yorkshire, England, Holland transitioned from a decade-long, hard-hitting rugby career to the squared circle, bringing a unique brand of physicality and legitimacy to his performances. His journey in WWE has seen him compete on the NXT, NXT UK, and SmackDown brands, most notably as a key member of the popular faction, The Brawling Brutes. Holland’s career is a testament to his athletic versatility and relentless drive, overcoming significant injuries to establish himself as a powerhouse in the competitive landscape of professional wrestling.
Ridge Holland Overview
| Full Name | Luke Menzies |
| Date of Birth | May 29, 1988 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 37 |
| Birthplace | Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England |
| Profession | Professional Wrestler, Former Professional Rugby League Player |
| Husband/Wife | Information not publicly disclosed |
| Family | Partner, three children |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | In a supportive relationship |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be around $5 million |
Early Life and Education of Ridge Holland
Born Luke Menzies on May 29, 1988, in Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England, the future Ridge Holland grew up in an environment where toughness was a valued trait. From a young age, he was drawn to physical competition, a passion that would first manifest on the rugby pitch. His father was a rugby player, and he encouraged his son to take up the sport at around six or seven years old. Menzies attended Spen Valley High School in his hometown, where he participated in sports, though he noted that other schools were more focused on rugby at the time. While he developed into a formidable rugby talent, the dream of becoming a professional wrestler was always present. He was an avid fan of wrestling from a young age, but kept this ambition quiet amongst his rugby peers. This early life, defined by the grit and grind of Yorkshire and the demanding world of rugby league, laid the foundation for the powerhouse competitor that fans would later come to know as Ridge Holland.
Ridge Holland’s Career
Ridge Holland’s professional athletic career is a story of two distinct and demanding chapters: professional rugby league and professional wrestling. Before he was known for delivering bone-jarring suplexes in a WWE ring, Luke Menzies was a powerful prop forward on the rugby fields of England. His rugby career spanned nearly a decade, from 2007 to 2017. He played for numerous clubs, including Hull Kingston Rovers in the prestigious Super League, as well as Batley Bulldogs, Oldham, Dewsbury Rams, Salford Red Devils, and the Toronto Wolfpack in their inaugural season. This extensive career in a physically punishing sport honed his strength, endurance, and aggressive style, all of which would become hallmarks of his wrestling persona.
In 2016, Menzies decided to transition from the pitch to the squared circle, a dream he had harbored since childhood. He began his training under the tutelage of British wrestling legend Marty Jones. He quickly made a name for himself on the UK independent circuit, wrestling for promotions like 3 Count Wrestling, where he captured the 3CW Championship in 2018. His raw potential and legitimate athletic background caught the attention of WWE, and after a successful tryout in late 2016, he signed with the company in May 2018.
Menzies began his WWE journey in the developmental brand, NXT, making his televised debut in August 2018. He would later debut for the NXT UK brand under his now-famous ring name, Ridge Holland. Holland’s NXT career was marked by a relentless, hard-hitting style, but also by significant adversity. In October 2020, he suffered severe leg and knee injuries during a match, which sidelined him for nearly a year. Upon his return in July 2021, he allied himself with Pete Dunne (later known as Butch), Oney Lorcan, and Danny Burch.
The 2021 WWE Draft saw Holland drafted to the SmackDown brand, marking his transition to the main roster. He quickly formed an alliance with his idol, Sheamus. This partnership evolved with the addition of Butch, and the trio became known as The Brawling Brutes. As a member of this popular faction, Holland engaged in high-profile feuds and matches, showcasing his brawling prowess to a global audience. The group was celebrated for its aggressive, no-nonsense approach and delivered memorable encounters, including a victory over Imperium in a Good Old Fashioned Donnybrook match at Extreme Rules. However, the stable eventually dissolved in late 2023 after Holland walked out on Butch during a tag team match.
Following the dissolution of The Brawling Brutes, Holland made a surprise return to the NXT brand in late 2023, seeking redemption and a career reset. This run saw him join the Chase U stable, where he achieved his first championship victory in WWE, winning the NXT Tag Team Championship with Andre Chase in August 2024. Their reign was short-lived, and Holland would later betray Chase, turning heel and embarking on a new, more ruthless path. His career continues to evolve as he makes appearances for WWE’s partner promotions like TNA, constantly seeking to redefine his legacy in professional wrestling.
Ridge Holland Personal Life & Family
Despite his tough and aggressive on-screen persona, Ridge Holland, whose real name is Luke Menzies, is a dedicated family man. While he keeps the specifics of his personal life relatively private, it is known that he is in a supportive partnership and is a father to three young children. In interviews, he has spoken about the challenges of balancing a demanding travel schedule with family life, emphasizing that his partner’s support is crucial. He has stated that as long as his family is provided for, he is happy. Originally from Liversedge, West Yorkshire, England, he now resides in Orlando, Florida, a move common for WWE performers due to the location of the WWE Performance Center. He has humorously lamented the difficulty of finding a traditional British Sunday dinner in Florida. Holland is also an avid dog lover, having grown up with Rottweilers and English bulldogs.
Awards and Achievements of Ridge Holland
- NXT Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Andre Chase
- 3CW Championship (1 time)
- Ranked No. 291 of the top 500 singles wrestlers in the PWI 500 in 2022
Ridge Holland Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Ridge Holland’s net worth is estimated to be approximately $5 million. His primary source of income is his contract with WWE, where reports suggest his annual salary is around $200,000 to $250,000. This figure is supplemented by bonuses from pay-per-view events, live appearances, and merchandise sales. Before his wrestling career, he also earned income from his nearly decade-long professional rugby league career. Additional earnings come from brand endorsements and social media collaborations. As a rising star in WWE, his earning potential is expected to grow with main-event opportunities and future championship victories.
Legacy and Influence
Ridge Holland’s legacy is that of a formidable athlete who successfully transitioned from one brutal professional sport to another, bringing a rare level of authenticity and physicality to the wrestling ring. His background in professional rugby league provides him with a credible and intimidating presence that sets him apart. He is seen as a powerhouse brawler, whose hard-hitting and no-nonsense style harkens back to a more rugged era of professional wrestling. His role in The Brawling Brutes alongside Sheamus and Butch created a memorable and popular faction known for their intense and physical matches, contributing significantly to the tag team divisions on both SmackDown and NXT. Furthermore, Holland has demonstrated resilience in his career, overcoming serious injuries to return to the ring and achieve championship success in NXT. His journey serves as an inspiration for other athletes looking to transition between sports, proving that with dedication and toughness, a successful second act is possible.
Interesting Facts about Ridge Holland
- Before becoming a WWE Superstar, he had a nearly 10-year career in professional rugby league, playing for eight different teams in England and Canada.
- He was trained for his professional wrestling career by British wrestling legend Marty Jones.
- Holland had the opportunity to train with undefeated professional boxer Tyson Fury, helping “The Gypsy King” prepare for his WWE match against Braun Strowman in 2019.
- He is not related to actor Tom Holland, a question he is frequently asked.
- Holland is a dog person, having grown up with Rottweilers and English bulldogs, and considers the English mastiff his favorite type of dog.
- Despite his tough exterior, he is a father of three children under the age of five and has stated his life outside the ring primarily consists of wrestling and changing diapers.
Controversies
Ridge Holland’s career has been associated with a significant and unfortunate in-ring incident. During a match on the March 11, 2022, episode of SmackDown, he was involved in the sequence that led to fellow WWE Superstar Big E suffering a broken neck. The injury occurred following an overhead belly-to-belly suplex performed by Holland at ringside. This event led to a considerable amount of online backlash directed at Holland from fans who blamed him for the career-threatening injury. The situation has had a notable impact on Holland, who has referenced the “BS” and backlash he has been through in his journey for redemption on the NXT brand. In March 2024, he was part of a storyline where he announced he was stepping away from in-ring competition indefinitely, citing mental health reasons related to the fan backlash.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Not publicly available
- Twitter – Not publicly available
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Ridge Holland
Ridge Holland stands as a powerful and compelling figure in modern professional wrestling. His journey from the rugby pitches of Yorkshire to the global stage of WWE is a powerful narrative of athletic reinvention and sheer determination. Armed with a legitimate background in a physically demanding sport, he brings a level of raw, brawling intensity that is both believable and captivating. Despite facing career-threatening injuries and the mental toll of public controversy, Holland has consistently fought his way back, demonstrating immense resilience. His recent work in NXT, including winning the NXT Tag Team Championship and his subsequent character developments, shows a performer who is continuously evolving and honing his craft. As he moves forward, Ridge Holland’s future in WWE looks to be one defined by the same grit and Northern toughness that has characterized his entire athletic career, promising more hard-hitting encounters and a relentless pursuit of championship gold.
