A BRADFORD district-born star had a debut to remember on wrestling’s biggest show – despite it being delayed by 24 hours.
Luke Menzies, who competes as Ridge Holland in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), was part of a winning team at the organisation’s biggest event of the year – WrestleMania.
The Liversedge-born grappler teamed up with Sheamus as they defeated Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods last night in front of a crowd of 78,453.
The match was originally due to take place on Saturday’s first night of WrestleMania 38 action, but it was instead moved to last night’s event at the AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
He posted a picture from their match last night on his Instagram, with the message: “Fight Night is Mania! #bloodylovely.”
Menzies, a former Bradford Bulls youngster, took to the ring in an event which included some of the WWE’s biggest names in action including Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns, who battled in a champion v champion contest, WWE chairman Vince McMahon and WWE legend, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.
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.
Butch adding insult to injury at #WrestleMania!@WWESheamus & @RidgeWWE take down The #NewDay on the Grandest Stage of Them All! pic.twitter.com/lWrQOyDiGK
— WWE WrestleMania (@WrestleMania) April 4, 2022
His WrestleMania is the latest boost to Menzies’ WWE career after making the moved to the Friday Night Smackdown TV show late last year.
Menzies has been teaming up with Sheamus since and now they also joined forces with fellow English wrestler Pete Dunne, also known as Butch, who also joined them at last night’s event.
Menzies put on a good display in another of the WWE’s huge annual events, the Royal Rumble, in January this year, lasting an impressive 19 minutes in the battle royal match.
He spoke to the Telegraph & Argus in the build-up to last night’s epic match, saying it would be a memory he would cherish.
Menzies said: "This is leading up to our biggest time of the year.
"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.”
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