Ridge Holland Returns To NXT After Nine Months Out
After missing nine months of action due to serious injury, Ridge Holland is back in NXT.
The former Rugby League star underwent surgery last October after sustaining a dislocated and fractured left ankle, and a right knee patellar dislocation and patellar tendon rupture.
On the most recent episode of NXT, Ridge Holland made his stunning return to the black and gold brand joining forces with Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan attacking Tommaso Ciampa and Timothy Thatcher.
During the match, Holland hit the ring attacking Timothy Thatcher, leaving Ciampa to eventually be pinned by Dunne. After the match, Holland stood front and centre with Dunne and Lorcan before the trio beat down their adversaries.
Of course the three man have history as during a feud with Adam Cole, Pat McAfee who was leading a team comprising the trio and Danny Burch, paid off Holland to attack the then NXT Champion.
Elsewhere on the episode Samoa Joe confirmed his return to the ring.
The former NXT Champion initially returned to the black and gold brand on June 15th after being released by WWE in April.
After returning to NXT, Joe appeared as General Manager William Regal’s enforcer. Regal had initially looked to be stepping down from his role until Joe arrived to make sure the GM “got the respect he deserves.”
In the weeks that followed, Joe frequently clashed with Karrion Kross. On the July 13th episode of the show Joe served as the special guest referee for the NXT Title match between Kross and Johnny Gargano. After winning the match, Kross quickly turned his attention to Joe, choking out the former champion. The following week, Joe sought revenge but Kross instead attacked William Regal, saying he does whatever he wants.
On the most recent episode of NXT, Joe came to the ring to offer his resignation as Regal’s enforcer. But only so that he can have a match with Karrion Kross. Regal, who wanted to fire Kross for his actions, accepted Joe’s resignation and made the match official.
Samoa Joe will face Karrion Kross for the NXT Championship at NXT TakeOver: 36.