A FORMER rugby league player turned wrestler has been moved to one of the world’s biggest wrestling TV shows.

Luke Menzies, 33, who wrestles under the character name Ridge Holland, has been moved to World Wrestling Entertainment’s weekly Friday Night Smackdown programme as part of the draft.

The former Bradford Bulls Academy ace had been making a name for himself on the WWE’s NXT show over recent weeks and has now been rewarded with a regular spot on the flagship show.

He will join the likes of wrestling stars Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre on the show.

Menzies, under his character name, tweeted: “Friday Night Smackdown…..I’ll be seein’ ya! #WWEDraft #SmackDown.”

 

Menzies 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.

 

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.

His Twitter page previously featured a black and white photograph of Albert Terrace in Saltaire.

 

Away from the wrestling ring in the States, Luke own sporting past in rugby league started in Bradford. He went on to play as a prop for clubs including Batley Bulldogs, York City Knights and Toronto Wolfpack between 2007 and 2017.