A BRADFORD district-born star says he is determined to 'soak in' competing at wrestling's biggest show of the year this weekend.
Luke Menzies, who stars as superstar Ridge Holland, is set to do battle at World Wrestling Entertainment's (WWE's) two-night WrestleMania spectacular.
The former Bradford Bulls youngster will join forces with Sheamus to battle Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston in a tag team match at this Saturday's night of WrestleMania action.
Fight Night! #simplylovely https://t.co/AO7XyTR09n
— Ridge Holland (@RidgeWWE) March 28, 2022
Liversedge-born Menzies will join the likes of WWE legend 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Drew McIntyre, Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar at the show, which continues with a further evening of action this Sunday.
This year's WrestleMania, the 38th edition of the event, will take place at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home ground of NFL team the Dallas Cowboys, which held a crowd of more than 101,000 for WrestleMania 32 in 2016.
WrestleMania started in 1985 and has seen wrestling legends including Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker and The Rock win titles and star in iconic moments over the years.
Menzies, a former rugby league star with clubs including Batley Bulldogs, says he enjoys flying the flag for the Bradford district and Yorkshire in his global role as a wrestler.
He says he is looking forward to making his own memories in the sport and tapping into the knowledge of legends including 'Stone Cold' during WrestleMania weekend.
In an exclusive interview with the Telegraph & Argus, Menzies said: "This is leading up to our biggest time of the year.
"It is going to be the most stupendous WrestleMania in history. It's a great opportunity and a full weekend of action for people to sink their teeth into what we do.
"If I can be a part of that, in any way, shape or form and I can fly the flag for Yorkshire, it will be fantastic.
"I'm sure it's going to be fantastic. It will be the cherry on top of the cake. It will be an honour to go out there.
"I'm looking forward to flying the flag for England, Great Britain and, obviously, good old Yorkshire.
"Being on WrestleMania is not something I can put into words. I've never been in front of that amount of people.
I will have to soak it in and just take in the moment, take a good look around and breathe it in and not get lost in the moment
"It is something that I would like to remember until I pop my clogs and it would be an awesome experience.
"It would be a chance to share the ring with so many iconic superstars like 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin. I have never met him before, so it will be awesome to be around him and pick his brain."
Menzies has become one of the rising stars in WWE over the last few months after moving to their weekly Friday Night Smackdown TV show late last year.
His character, Ridge Holland, is often booed by the fans in a role that Menzies revels.
He added: "I'm taking each Friday as it comes, because you don't know what might happen. I'm still learning.
"It's good that I have got Sheamus on my right-hand side. He is like a mentor-type, really. He can point me in the right direction if ever I'm stuck or at a loose end.
"I'm attacking every opportunity I get.
I love being a bad guy and getting people riled up
Menzies has also backed Bradford's bid to become the City of Culture 2025 after it reached the final four of contenders.
He says he misses his native Yorkshire and hopes to perform in a WWE ring in the county soon.
Menzies said: "I miss the people and I miss the sense of humour, things like that, definitely.
"I don't know the reaction I'm going to get when if I get in front of a Yorkshire crowd. It will be a massive moment to perform in front of my friends and family.
"I'm looking forward to coming back with the company and if we can get a Yorkshire show, that would be fantastic.
"I've just got to make sure they understand what I'm saying, as the Yorkshire vernacular blends into one sometimes.
"Bradford has always had a special place in my heart, whether it's family ties or sports ties."
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