“I’m not a monster,” 35-year-old WWE Superstar sends emotional message weeks after causing CAREER-THREATENING injury to current champion 

WWE Superstar Ridge Holland gets emotional as he reflects on his history of causing injuries during an interview.

“I’m not a monster,” 35-year-old WWE Superstar sends emotional message weeks after causing CAREER-THREATENING injury to current champion 

WWE Superstar (via Stillrealtous)

NXT New Year’s Evil lost its initial main event match after Ilja Dragunov suffered an injury. He was supposed to face the rising sensation, Trick Williams, for the NXT Championship. The man responsible for his injury is the 35-year-old star, Ridge Holland. Appearing in an interview telecast on New Year’s Evil, he explained how it was an accident.

The former member of the Brawling Brutes showed his emotional side while talking with Sarah Schreiber. He explained how he bore no ill intention while facing the Mad Dragon. He called himself like any other, being tied to relationships and not being a monster hellbent on hurting people.

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"Whatever happened happened. There was no malicious intent there was no ill will, at the end of the day I am a dad I am a friend I am not a monster. I know how it feels like I know how fast things can be taken away.”
Ridge Holland during the Interview

Ridge is infamous for the injuries he has caused in the past. Many fans still lambast him on social media because he injured Big E. It was out of this hatred that he even left many social media platforms.

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Ridge is also someone who has been on the receiving end of the injuries. Those familiar with his early NXT career, as recalled by him during his interview, remember him being injured by Oney Lorcan as well as blowing his knees out before WarGames 2020. Hence, Holland represented himself as being sensitive toward those getting injured. It seems from the track record that WWE is once again utilising the dark past as a means to create a compelling storyline.

Ridge Holland desires to prove himself in the NXT

Ridge Holland delivered one of the best promos of his career on NXT New Year’s Evil. He shared his views on the label of injuring superstars as corrosive to his career. He also reflected on his time with the Brawling Brutes as “bitter-sweet” and expressed his desire to prove himself.

Ridge Holland
Ridge Holland (via @conman167/’X’)
"It’s kind of bittersweet, because although I appreciate the opportunity with Sheamus and Butch. I will go through that roster, man by man, to prove myself, to find redemption, and to show the NXT Universe who Ridge Holland truly is, with no perceptions.”
Ridge Holland in his interview

As can be inferred, Holland has a behemoth task ahead of him. With his infamous history, it would be tough for someone like him to garner the love of fans. However, Ridge is known for his hard-hitting style, which is capable of turning heads. It would be interesting to see how the returning Ridge would steer his career back in NXT.

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