Ridge Holland believes The Brawling Brutes have only just scratched the surface of their potential as a group.
Speaking with Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (full interview in the video above), the SmackDown Superstar discussed a number of topics, including how The Brawling Brutes need to shift into another gear.
"I think it’s just that the Brawling Brutes have always been the bridesmaid, never the bride. So I think we need to win this gauntlet match, then we need to go on and we need to go on, the night before Money in the Bank to beat KO and Sami, then cheer on Butch the day after that as the new Tag Team Champions. That’s the goal. We’ve floated along for a bit, but we really need to get going now. The Brawling Brutes need to get going. We’ve done okay, but there’s still a ton of fuel in the tank. I think we’ve only just scratched the surface with this faction, with this stable. That’s not disrespecting any of the competitors that are in this gauntlet because they’re all top tier talent," Holland said.
On the June 16 episode of SmackDown, Holland and Sheamus will take part in a #1 Contender Tag Team Gauntlet. The winning team will earn a title match against the reigning champions, Sami Zayn and Kevin Owens.
Ridge would add that there is abundance of talent in the tag team division and that it's a great time to be in WWE.
"I’ll just point out, Pretty Deadly have come straight up with a bang. It’s gonna be great to get in there and tangle with them again. The O.C. speak for themselves. The Street Profits, they always bring the energy. As you alluded to, LWO, hot at the minute with that Latino heat, it’s real. They’re having a good run. It’s fantastic to see. So the one thing that I’ll say, Sean, is that we’re very spoiled at the minute by the abundance of talent that we have, not only in the tag team division, but across all rosters. It’s a good time to be in the company," he said.
For The Brawling Brutes, Holland notes that they're always hungry to top what they did the match before. This desire to achieve greatness not only comes from within, but from an appreciation of the talent they get to work with and the opportunities placed in front of them.
"I think that it comes from pure hunger, just wanting to do better than what you’ve did the day before or the match before. Just the opportunity to be in there with talent like Imperium, guys that have scratched and clawed to get where they are. You got Gunther in there, who’s probably gonna go down as one of, if not the, greatest Intercontinental Champion of the modern era. Then you’ve got Ludwig and Giovanni as well. Those boys can bring it. Whenever you’re in there, you’ve got a fight on your hands. So I always come from a place of we’re lucky to be in those situations. It’s been good to get nice reviews and show people what we can do. The fans have been great and taken us on board. I just hope that we can keep giving and giving and giving," Holland said.
Having been paired with Sheamus since November 2021, Holland shares that the veteran Superstar leads by example, calling him one of the most passionate people that he's ever met.
"I suppose, rather than verbal lessons, he leads by example. He’s one of the most passionate people that I’ve met. Even after all these—what is it? Thirteen / fourteen years—that he’s been with the company, he still wants to go out there and surpass anything that he’s ever done. It’s testament to that passion. I guess just never give up, really. He’s always scratching and clawing. He’s always wanting to put on the best show. He’s always wanting to outdo himself. He’s a stalwart, man. An absolute stalwart. Certified Hall of Fame career without a doubt," he said.
Holland would conclude by saying that this feels like the first time he, Sheamus, and Butch (as a collective) have been organically over with the audience.
"Even though he’s had a great career up until the Brawling Brutes, I think this is the first time we’ve been purely, organically over. I’m really happy that he’s having this run because the reaction that he’s getting from the fans, it comes from a place of familiarity because he’s been with the company for this so long, but also a place of respect because of what he’s done, the matches he’s produced and how he is. I think just go out there and kill out and try to kill it every time he walks out there," Holland said.
Sheamus recently spoke about Money in the Bank and how he should be the first person they think of for a show in the London. Click here to read more.
The upcoming episode of WWE SmackDown on June 16 will take place in Lexington, Kentucky, at the Rupp Arena. The following night, WWE will be doing a Supershow in Cincinatti, Ohio, at the Heritage Bank Center.
Fightful will have live coverage of SmackDown, as well as a post-show review immediately following its conclusion.
