Luke Menzies, now formerly Ridge Holland in WWE, is injured and out of work. He has repeatedly shared on social media his worries about supporting his family and paying his mortgage.
To help alleviate those concerns, a GoFundMe was started
for Menzies and his family. The response from many fans, however, was less than charitable. Essentially:“Tough luck. He was a TV star — he should have managed his money better. If he didn’t, oh well.”
So much for compassion.
I can understand why some might initially
react with skepticism. But if people take a moment to listen, Menzies’ situation is far more serious than it appears.
At the end of September, while working for WWE partner TNA, Menzies suffered a Lisfranc injury, which is an injury to the foot. This is the same injury that sidelined AJ Styles for four months, and in some cases, full recovery can take six months or longer.
As if that weren’t enough, Menzies revealed in a social media post — which later led to WWE releasing him before his contract expired — that he might need to have his neck fused.
For someone who relies on their body to make a living, Menzies could be stuck at home for almost two years if his neck prognosis proves accurate. Suddenly, what seemed like a temporary setback has turned into an extended, uncertain recovery — assuming no complications arise during rehab.
It’s easy for others to say, “Ah, he should have managed his money better.” But how many people saying that are prepared to be out of work for up to two years? Or even handle an unexpected expense like a thousand-dollar car repair right now?
When people see a celebrity, they naturally assume they have it made — that money is never an issue. But until someone walks in another person’s shoes, no one should judge. If you feel compelled to donate to Menzies and his family, then you should. If you don’t, that’s fine too.
But to kick the man while he’s down and say what he should have done without knowing the details of his personal struggles or his family’s needs is about as low as it gets.
