Luke Menzies Says Early WWE Main Roster Call-Up Cost Him Key NXT Developmental Time

Luke Menzies, best known to WWE fans as Ridge Holland, has opened up about the gaps in his developmental training, acknowledging that the timing of his main roster call-up left him without lessons he should have learned in NXT.

Menzies was brought up to SmackDown in 2021 following a return from injury, quickly slotting in alongside Sheamus and Pete Dunne as part of a faction that gave him immediate exposure on the biggest stage in pro wrestling. While that opportunity was significant, Menzies now reflects on the flip side of that fast track — the foundational NXT schooling he never got to complete.

It’s a situation that isn’t unique to Menzies. NXT has long served as WWE’s primary developmental system, designed to give talent the reps, feedback, and in-ring education they need before stepping in front of a massive audience. When a performer is pulled early — whether due to injury timing, roster needs, or a compelling look — there’s an inherent risk that certain building blocks get skipped. For a former professional rugby player still relatively new to the wrestling business, those missed lessons carry extra weight.

Menzies was released by WWE in 2024, and has since been working on the independent scene. His candid reflection on the developmental process speaks to a broader conversation in wrestling about how promotional decisions — even well-intentioned ones — can complicate a performer’s long-term growth. Whether those gaps ultimately defined his WWE tenure or simply added to its challenges, Menzies seems willing to examine that question honestly.