A FORMER Bradford Bulls Academy ace missed out on a wrestling championship chance after losing his debut match.

Luke Menzies, who wrestles under the character name Ridge Holland, missed out on a future North American Championship match in his debut for World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE’s) NXT promotion.

He lost out in a triple threat bout, where all three wrestlers compete in the ring at the same time, against Oney Lorcan and match winner Damian Priest.

Despite the defeat, Menzies, under his character name, tweeted a clip of action from last night’s contest:

Menzies, 32, now lives in Orlando, was a former Spen Valley Sports College in Liversedge student, who stays true to his West Yorkshire roots in his wrestling persona.

As Ridge Holland, he walks to the ring wearing a flat cap, calling himself the Bother Causer and using Northern Grit as a hashtag.

Mr Menzies still has strong roots in the Bradford district as his father, Alan Menzies, who used to play rugby league for Odsal Sedbergh, lives in Shipley.