Add as a preferred source on Google Ridge Holland has opened up again about his WWE run and took direct aim at the current pace of NXT under Shawn Michaels.
Speaking on Sportshadow Wrestling, the former WWE star said the developmental brand shifted into a higher gear after the Black & Gold era ended under Triple H. Holland argued the show now leans on short matches, a format he likened to TikTok style for the new generation.
“I’d say since Shawn took over, NXT has become a lot more faster paced. Short matches. Kind of like TikTok style for the new generation because they don’t want to lose anyone’s interest, which is hard as a wrestler because you want to tell stories and put some time in and make everything mean something. It’s hard when you’re getting three-minute matches. I had a pleasant experience with both. They both gave me an opportunity, and I’m grateful for that.”
“I didn’t get that from any particular wrestler. I think it was more my own thoughts, thinking that people might think that. So that’s what kind of affected my confidence. But the fans don’t really know. The fans think they know about wrestling, but they really don’t.”
“They don’t know anything. If they want to think I’m dangerous, that’s fine. That’s perfect. I’ll take that. If there’s a bit of realism there, and they want to hate me for that, that’s fine. If they think I hurt people, then I do. But people who know me know what I’m capable of. People who know me know my talents. Just because you only saw that much from the WWE spotlight doesn’t mean that you know everything about me.”
The former Brawling Brutes member exited WWE in 2025 after the company told him it would not renew his contract. He was still rehabbing injuries at the time and said he would be sidelined for months.
Now Holland is medically cleared to return following neck surgery and a foot injury, setting up the next chapter of his career on the independent circuit.