Controversial WWE star called out for man-to-man meeting
WWE Superstars are used to getting called out by another member of the roster, even by commentators or other on-air talents, even the occasional celebrity. A certain superstar seemingly has controversy follow him to whichever WWE brand he visits, and now he's being called out by a surprising name for his recent antics. The response might come as more of a surprise.
Ridge Holland has been bombarded with heat from some fans since the unfortunate Big E injury that occurred in March 2022 during a SmackDown tag team bout. Holland was later accused of working unsafe in matches with Johnny Gargano and Elton Prince, among others. He's now being labeled a problem after stints with The Brawling Brutes and Chase U.
Holland returned to NXT late last year after two years on the main roster. The former rugby star has been full-time on the third brand for eleven months now and had one reign as NXT Tag Team Champion. Now free from Chase U and a heel again, Holland's issues with Bully Ray picked up on the Halloween Havoc pre-show.
The one-time NXT Tag Team Champion provoked multiple confrontations with Bubba Ray Dudley while he and his Busted Open Radio co-host Dave LaGreca were speaking from the crowd. Holland defeated Chase in the Ambulance Match but later joined Ethan Page in double-teaming NXT Champion Trick Williams after Page's main event loss.
Bully then made the save for a loud reaction in the show-closing moments. The ECW Arena special saw Ethan and Ridge defeat Bully and Trick, but The Dudleyz and the NXT Champion got the last laugh on the night.
The former Brawling Brute apparently is not done with the Busted Open crew. LaGreca recently addressed Holland on-air and invited him on the show next Monday, November 18. The riled-up host threatened to travel to the WWE Performance Center to talk to Holland if needed, and even have a conversation with Shawn Michaels while there. LaGreca took to X to share the radio show clip and called Holland out for a man-to-man talk at NXT.
"I will go to #WWENXT and talk man to man with @RidgeWWE," Dave LaGreca wrote.
Holland responded a few hours later with just a rolling eyes emoji, and that was it.
Holland will face Andre Chase in a #1 contender's match on Tuesday's NXT. The winner will earn a title shot against Trick Williams, but if Chase loses, then the Chase U faction must disband. Holland or Chase will go on to challenge Williams for the NXT Championship at Deadline on December 7.
Updated WWE NXT lineup for next week
The WWE NXT brand was back at the Performance Center in Orlando for this week's episode, and the same will go for next Tuesday. The road to Deadline is heating up with the following announced lineup:
- #1 Contender's Match: Ridge Holland vs. Andre Chase (winner challenges NXT Champion Trick Williams at Deadline; Chase U must disband if Chase loses)
- Men's Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Matches: TBA vs. TBA (three winners TBD join Wes Lee and Je'Von Evans at Deadline)
- Women's Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Matches: TBA vs. TBA (four winners TBD join Sol Ruca at Deadline)
- Karmen Petrovic and Ashante "Thee" Adonis vs. Dion Lennox and Brinley Reece
- Non-Title Match: NXT North American Champion Tony D'Angelo vs. Brooks Jensen
WWE is teasing a potential Triple-Threat bout for the North American Championship, with D'Angelo defending against Jensen and Shawn Spears. Tony D has retained on TV over Femi and Nunzio since becoming champion, and retained over Jensen at a non-televised live event.