The route from the rugby league toss into the wrestling ring is a lesser-trodden one, out of pursuing a career within the circle but that hasnt defeated Luke Menzies.
Its three years now since the League whose former teams include Hull Kingston Rovers and Salford Red Devils, shot his first steps after leaving behind the sport.
Having impressed in November 2016, the 31-year-old has relocated to the USA to chase ambitions he has harboured and was signed by the organisation.
Ive been a fan of wrestling, before I took up rugby league, Menzies told Sky Sports. My father , so obviously I got pushed in this direction.
I got injured and I thought,you know what, I have always wished to take a look to wrestling. I sent a email to some famed wrestling coach and I had been in my wrestling ring 2 days later.
Six months later I had a WWE try-out and we are.
Menzies is not the rugby league. Notably, Shirley Crabtree – known to British wrestling fans because his in-ring character Big Daddy – was about the novels of Bradford Northern and Halifax.
Moving under the ring name of Ridge Holland and now based at the WWE Performance Center at Orlando, Menzies is no doubt for following a career as a 40, he has been set by that his sporting lifestyle up well.
It is worlds apart, but rugby league definitely served me well for the transition – the bumps, the bruises and everything you take from there, Menzies said.
It is also the grinding as well as the grafting, however, rugby league was certainly character-building and allowed me to put the perfect foot forwards in my pursuit of a profession here.
We might be in here five days a week and we are on the street three days a week also, so some days we are doubling up.
It is really a mill but the men love it, we knuckle down and we all make better to entertain the fans
He hasnt lost contact with his sporting interest and the Super League play-off struggle between Salford and Wigan Warriors of Friday will be just one Menzies will keep a close watch on.
George Griffin and Greg Johnson are among those former Red Devils team-mates still playing in the AJ Bell Stadium which Menzies remains friendly with, and hes endorsed them to reach the Grand Final, together with hoping they can pull off a shock at Old Trafford from St Helens if they get there.
I have to proceed with Salford all the way, Menzies said. Its something they have worked hard to get through the year and I believe it will definitely be a fairytale for Salford Red Devils.
I would love them to move all of the way, but Ive got folks I know at St Helens such as Alex Walmsley, in the formative days in Batley Bulldogs.
But Ive got to go with the club that I understand. I have friends there and I hope they can pull it from the bag and be Super League champions.
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