In the high-stakes world of professional wrestling, the atmosphere backstage can shift as dramatically as a plot twist on screen. For former WWE talent Ridge Holland, the transition from the developmental environment of NXT to the main roster wasn’t just a step up in visibility—it was a complete shift in corporate culture.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with F4Wonline, the man born Luke Menzies opened up about the stark contrast between working under the leadership of Triple H and the legendary, often polarizing, Vince McMahon. From the “eggshells” of the main roster to the unfulfilled potential of The Brawling Brutes, Holland provides a rare glimpse into the internal machinery of the sports entertainment giant.
A Tale of Two Environments: Triple H vs. Vince McMahon
Holland entered WWE NXT in 2020 during the “Black & Gold” era, a period defined by Triple H’s vision for a more athletic, opportunity-driven product. For Holland, this era was characterized by support and confidence.
“Yeah, I mean, it was always about opportunity, giving people opportunities… My personal experience was that everything was great. He had from what it seems and what I heard, he had big plans for me,” Holland recalled.
However, the landscape shifted when Holland moved to the main roster. Due to a health scare involving Triple H, Holland found himself operating directly under Vince McMahon, alongside Bruce Prichard and John Laurinaitis. The experience was, in Holland’s words, “highly intense.”
When comparing the two leadership styles, Holland described the difference as a matter of psychological pressure. He noted that the systems McMahon put in place created a high-strung, hyper-competitive atmosphere where employees felt they were “walking on eggshells.” In contrast, the transition to Triple H’s leadership allowed the talent to “take a deep breath and be yourself,” leading to a general feeling of increased comfort across the roster.
The Brawling Brutes: Potential Left on the Table
On the main roster, Holland was paired with Sheamus and Butch (Pete Dunne) to form The Brawling Brutes. While the trio found organic success as babyfaces and competed in high-profile matches—including a “Donnybrook match” against Imperium and contests for the tag team championships—Holland believes the group never reached its full ceiling.
“I think we had a lot more legs than what we were to achieve. I think we had a lot more in us,” Holland stated, suggesting that WWE “never really pulled the trigger” on the faction’s full potential.
One of the group’s most significant milestones was participating in the inaugural main-roster WarGames match. However, the behind-the-scenes reality was far more chaotic than the polished product. Holland revealed that the team didn’t have the match fully mapped out until roughly 20 minutes before the bell rang. Despite the nerve-wracking preparation, he emphasized that the priority was serving the overarching story of The Bloodline.
Locker Room Insights: Roman Reigns, Sheamus, and Drew McIntyre
Beyond the politics of management, Holland reflected on his relationships with some of the industry’s biggest stars. He described Roman Reigns as a “huge star” who remains “super cool behind the scenes,” noting that Reigns carries himself with the presence and professionalism expected of the company’s marquee attraction.
Holland also shared a more personal side of his time traveling with fellow British and Irish Isles wrestlers Drew McIntyre and Sheamus. He described the duo as behaving like a “married old couple,” often bickering during long drives. Holland recalled a running joke where they called McIntyre “Sleepy” because he spent most of the car rides asleep, while Sheamus acted as the “wheel man.”
As for professional advice, both McIntyre and Sheamus urged Holland to lean into his physical strengths. Their guidance was simple: be aggressive and bring a physical mindset into the ring.
The Pathway from the Indies to the Global Stage
A former rugby player who cut his teeth on the European independent circuit, Holland views the UK and European scenes as vital pipelines for world-class talent. He pointed to the success of wrestlers like Pete Dunne, Tyler Bates, Trent Seven, Jordan Devlin, and Rampage Brown from the inaugural NXT UK era, as well as the impact of Ilja Dragunov and the Imperium stable.
Holland noted that while WWE was once the primary destination, the emergence of AEW, TNA, and MLW has provided passionate young wrestlers with more avenues to achieve their professional goals.
Key Takeaways from Ridge Holland’s Experience
- Culture Shift: Triple H’s leadership is described as relaxed and supportive, whereas Vince McMahon’s environment was intense and high-pressure.
- Creative Frustration: Despite the popularity of The Brawling Brutes, Holland feels the group’s full potential was never fully realized by WWE management.
- WarGames Chaos: The first main-roster WarGames match was largely improvised or finalized just minutes before the start.
- Industry Pipelines: The European independent scene remains a critical breeding ground for top-tier professional wrestling talent.
Looking Ahead
Though his tenure in WWE was marked by both significant opportunities and injury-related setbacks, Luke Menzies (fka Ridge Holland) is not finished with the ring. Now medically cleared to compete, Holland is preparing for a comeback in the United Kingdom’s National Wrestling League, bringing his rugby-inspired physicality back to the squared circle.
