Report: Ridge Holland Confirms WWE Exit While Recovering From Injury — “It’s Frustrating, But I’ll Keep Fighting”
Luke Menzies — better known to WWE fans as Ridge Holland — has officially confirmed that his WWE contract will not be renewed as he continues to recover from a serious injury.
What Happened
The former Brawling Brute took to social media this week to announce that his time with WWE is coming to an end. Holland revealed that his contract expires on November 14, and while WWE will continue covering his rehab, his guaranteed pay will stop — a difficult blow for the 36-year-old Englishman as he recovers from a Lisfranc foot injury suffered during a TNA taping against Moose earlier this year.
“I’ve been informed that WWE will not be renewing my contract when it ends on November 14th,” Holland wrote. “WWE are still going to cover my rehab from injury but my guaranteed pay will end — quite frustrating to say the least as I cannot work for another six months due to the aforementioned injury, with a family of five to support.”
— Luke Menzies (@RidgeWWE) October 13, 2025
Holland has been with WWE since 2018, transitioning to wrestling after a successful rugby career in England. He gained notoriety in NXT before being called up to SmackDown, where he joined forces with Sheamus and Pete Dunne (Butch) as The Brawling Brutes.
While his main roster run had its highlights — including a WrestleMania 38 victory over The New Day and a WarGames appearance against The Bloodline — championship success didn’t come until his return to NXT, where he captured the NXT Tag Team Titles alongside Andre Chase.
Unfortunately, injury setbacks and inconsistent booking have clouded what once looked like a promising run for the powerhouse from Yorkshire.
What This Means
Holland’s release is part of a broader wave of talent changes within WWE. Several wrestlers from the Evolve and WWE ID programs have also been informed that their contracts won’t be renewed, including Kylie Rae, Zayda Steel, Lance Anoa’i, Jin Tala, Summer Sorrell, Brayden Ray, and even former NXT North American Champion Wes Lee, who was among the most surprising names cut.
For Holland, this marks a major transition — not just professionally, but personally. While he’s still healing and can’t return to in-ring action for at least six months, he announced plans to launch an online coaching business to support his family while remaining connected to the sport.
What’s Next
Once cleared, Holland could easily find opportunities outside WWE. His rugged style, charisma, and legitimate athletic background would make him a valuable addition to promotions like TNA, AEW, or even Japan’s NJPW STRONG scene.
For now, the focus is on recovery — both physically and mentally — after what’s been a frustrating year. Holland’s honesty in addressing the realities of a wrestler’s life post-release has earned him support from fans and peers alike.
Wrestling.News | Backstage Take
Ridge Holland’s story is a reminder that behind the lights and pyro are athletes dealing with real-life consequences of their craft. Holland’s transparency — acknowledging both his frustration and gratitude — struck a chord across the wrestling world.
Insiders note that while WWE’s recent cuts are part of an “evaluation cycle,” there’s growing chatter that AEW and TNA are both watching several of these released names closely. Don’t be shocked if Ridge Holland finds a new home once he’s healthy — the man’s built for a comeback story.
