Jump to content

Progress Wrestling

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by IanPCP (talk | contribs) at 11:56, 13 October 2016 (→‎Series IV: added bracket). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Progress Wrestling
Founded2011
StyleProfessional wrestling
Sports entertainment
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Founder(s)Jim Smallman
Jon Briley
Owner(s)Glen Joseph
Jim Smallman
Jon Briley
WebsitePROGRESSWrestling.com

Progress Wrestling (stylized as PROGRESS) is a British professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman and events and comedy promoter Jon Briley, later to be joined in management of the company by actor Glen Robinson (professionally known as Glen Joseph).[1]

History

The company was conceived by Jim Smallman and Jon Briley in 2011, who were both massive wrestling fans. Smallman is a big fan of "strong-style" wrestling, Japanese in particular, and Briley was Smallman's agent.[2] The pair decided to put on a wrestling show in London, as not many shows were being put on in the capital itself, featuring the type of wrestling that they would both like to watch. The pair then spent seven months putting their first show together. Smallman is also a huge fan of punk music, and the pair decided to emphasize the fact that it would be a London-based promotion with a punk rock vibe. They also were keen not to be import-heavy, like other promotions, but to promote British talent. The pair eventually settled on The Garage in Islington for the venue, because of the size and also having a great reputation as a music venue. The Garage were also very supportive of what Smallman and Briley wanted to do, and the pair ran their first show on 25 March 2012.

After eleven consecutive sell out shows at the Garage, with the later shows drawing 350 fans, the promotion moved to the 700-capacity Electric Ballroom in Camden from Chapter Twelve in March 2014 for their second anniversary show where the sell outs have continued. To date, Progress has sold out all London Chapter shows at The Garage and Electric Ballroom. For Chapter 36 in September 2016, Progress staged their largest ticketed show at the Brixton Academy, to an audience of 2,400 and announced that they would return the following September. Though they have run most of their shows in London, in 2014 Progress held three shows at The Satellite Stage at the Sonisphere Festival, and in 2015 they appeared for five nights at Download Festival.[3] In December 2015, they began running regular shows at The Ritz in Manchester.[4] In 2017, Progress will begin to promote shows in Birmingham.

The promotion have been reluctant to use imports (wrestlers for which the UK is not their home or one of their homes). Colt Cabana was the first wrestler to be included on a show as part of the debut show, Chapter One, in a losing effort to Loco Mike Mason. Ricochet has appeared twice for the promotion, losing to El Ligero at Chapter Six and in a triple threat with Mark Haskins and Zack Sabre Jr. at Chapter Eleven. Adam Cole was the first non-European wrestler to register a win in PROGRESS, defeating Mark Haskins at Chapter Ten. Prince Devitt also appeared twice for the promotion, defeating Zack Sabre Jr. at Chapter Thirteen and losing to Jimmy Havoc at the Progress World Cup, his final match in the UK before signing with the WWE. Other talents that have appeared include Samoa Joe, Roderick Strong and Tommaso Ciampa; though Ciampa has established himself as a Progress regular with seven Chapter show appearances. At Chapter 21, Adam Cole and Roderick Strong made their second appearances for Progress by answering and later losing the Sumerian Death Squad (Tommy End and Michael Dante)'s open challenge.

In 2016 the company began working with other promotions. At Chapter 29 on 24 April in London, Progress hosted two qualifying matches for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.[5] In June, the Canada-based SMASH Wrestling had its title defended at a Progress show, ahead of three co-promoted shows between the two in Toronto in September.[6][7] Progress also announced they would be running two shows in Florida, USA in 2017 - one as a main show and one co-promoted with Evolve Wrestling.

Events

2012

# Title Venue Location Date
1 Chapter One: In The Beginning The Garage Highbury, London 25 March 2012
2 Chapter Two: The March of Progress 24 June 2012
3 Chapter Three: Fifty Shades of Pain 30 September 2012
4 Chapter Four: The Ballad of El Ligero Boston Dome Tufnell Park, London 25 November 2012

2013

# Title Venue Location Date
5 Chapter Five: For Those About to Fight, We Salute You The Garage Highbury, London 27 January 2013
6 Chapter Six: We ♥ Violence 31 March 2013
7 Chapter Seven: Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future 19 May 2013
8 Chapter Eight: The Big Boys Guide to Strong Style 28 July 2013
9 ENDVR:1 The Bedford Balham, London 1 September 2013
10 Chapter Nine: Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kick Me, Kill Me The Garage Highbury, London 29 September 2013
11 ENDVR:2 The Bedford Balham, London 17 November 2013
12 Chapter Ten: Glory Follows Virtue As If It Were Its Shadow The Garage Highbury, London 24 November 2013

2014

# Title Venue Location Date
13 Chapter Eleven: To Fight War, You Must Become War The Garage Highbury, London 26 January 2014
14 ENDVR:3 The Bedford Balham, London 2 February 2014
15 Chapter Twelve: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room Electric Ballroom Camden, London 30 March 2014
16 ENDVR:4 The Bedford Balham, London 13 April 2014
17 Chapter Thirteen: Unbelievable Jeff! Electric Ballroom Camden, London 18 May 2014
18 Future ENDVR #1 White Oak Leisure Centre Swanley, Kent 8 June 2014
19 ENDVR:5 The Garage Highbury, London 29 June 2014
20 Progress World Cup
21 Sonisphere Festival Knebworth House Knebworth, Hertfordshire 4 July 2014
22 5 July 2014
23 6 July 2014
24 Chapter Fourteen: Thunderbastard Electric Ballroom Camden, London 27 July 2014
25 ENDVR:6 The Bedford Balham, London 7 September 2014
26 Chapter Fifteen: Just Because You're Paranoid, Doesn't Mean They Aren't Out to Get You Electric Ballroom Camden, London 28 September 2014
27 ENDVR:7 The Bedford Balham, London 2 November 2014
28 Chapter Sixteen: Very Very Very Breaky Breaky Breaky Bishi Bishiii Electric Ballroom Camden, London 30 November 2014

2015

# Title Venue Location Date
29 ENDVR:8 The Garage Highbury, London 4 January 2015
30 Chapter Seventeen: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Electric Ballroom Camden, London 25 January 2015
31 ENDVR:9 The Bedford Balham, London 1 March 2015
32 Chapter Eighteen: The Show We Can't Call PROGRESSleMania For Legal Reasons Electric Ballroom Camden, London 22 March 2015
33 ENDVR:10 The Garage Highbury, London 19 April 2015
34 Chapter Nineteen: Super Strong Style 16: Tournament Edition 2015 Electric Ballroom Camden, London 24 May 2015
35 25 May 2015
36 Download Festival Donington Park Castle Donington, Leicestershire 10 June 2015
37 11 June 2015
38 12 June 2015
39 13 June 2015
40 14 June 2015
41 ENDVR:11 The Garage Highbury, London 21 June 2015
42 Chapter Twenty: Thunderbastard: Beyond Thunderbastard Electric Ballroom Camden, London 26 July 2015
43 PTNTL:1 The Bedford Balham, London 11 August 2015
44 PTNTL:2 27 August 2015
45 Chapter Twenty-One: You Know We Don't Like to Use the Sit-Down Gun Electric Ballroom Camden, London 6 September 2015
46 ENDVR:12 The Garage Highbury, London 13 September 2015
47 Chapter Twenty-Two: Trust, Encouragement, Reward, Loyalty... Satisfaction Electric Ballroom Camden, London 18 October 2015
48 ENDVR:13 The Garage Highbury, London 1 November 2015
49 PTNTL:3 Nambucca Holloway, London 25 November 2015
50 Chapter Twenty-Three: What a Time to Be Alive Electric Ballroom Camden, London 29 November 2015
51 Chapter Twenty-Four: Hit the North! The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 6 December 2015

2016

# Title Venue Location Date
52 ENDVR:14 The Garage Highbury, London 3 January 2016
53 Chapter Twenty-Five: Chat Shit Get Banged Electric Ballroom Camden, London 24 January 2016
54 Chapter Twenty-Six: Unknown Pleasures The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 14 February 2016
55 ENDVR:15 The Garage Highbury, London 13 March 2016
56 Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Lost Art of Suffering Electric Ballroom Camden, London 27 March 2016
57 Chapter Twenty-Eight: Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 10 April 2016
58 Chapter Twenty-Nine: Practically Progress in Every Way Electric Ballroom Camden, London 24 April 2016
59 ENDVR:16 The Garage Highbury, London 15 May 2016
60 Chapter Thirty: Super Strong Style 16 2016 Electric Ballroom Camden, London 29 May 2016
61 30 May 2016
62 Chapter Thirty-One: All Hail The New Puritans The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 19 June 2016
63 Chapter Thirty-Two: 5000 to 1 Electric Ballroom Camden, London 26 June 2016
64 Chapter Thirty-Three: Malice in Wonderland[8] 31 July 2016
65 PTNTL:4[9] The Bedford Balham, London 8 August 2016
66 ENDVR:17[10] 9 August 2016
67 Chapter Thirty-Four: Keep It Unreal[11] The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 14 August 2016
68 Chapter Thirty-Five: Writing Nirvana on Other People's Bags[12] Electric Ballroom Camden, London 28 August 2016
69 Smash vs. PROGRESS: Uncensored[13] Oshawa Music Hall Oshawa, Ontario, Canada 16 September 2016
70 Smash vs. PROGRESS[14] Franklin Horner Community Center Toronto, Ontario, Canada 17 September 2016
71 18 September 2016
72 Chapter Thirty-Six: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room, Again[15] O2 Academy Brixton, London 25 September 2016
73 Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Sudden Sense of Liberty[16] The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 16 October 2016
74 Chapter Thirty-Eight: When Men Throw Men At Men[17] Electric Ballroom Camden, London 30 October 2016
75 PTNTL:5[18] The Bedford Balham, London 14 November 2016
76 ENDVR:18[19] 15 November 2016
77 Chapter Thirty-Nine[20] Electric Ballroom Camden, London 27 November 2016
78 Chapter Forty: Intercepted Angel[21] O2 Academy Sheffield, South Yorkshire 11 December 2016
79 Chapter Forty-One: Unboxing Live[22] Electric Ballroom Camden, London 30 December 2016

2017

# Title Venue Location Date
80 Chapter Forty-Two: Life, the Universe and Wrestling O2 Academy Birmingham, West Midlands 15 January 2017
81 Chapter Forty-Three Electric Ballroom Camden, London 29 January 2017
82 Chapter Forty-Four 26 February 2017
83 Chapter Forty-Five The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 19 March 2017
84 Chapter Forty-Six Electric Ballroom Camden, London 26 March 2017
85 WWN Live Orlando Downtown Recreational Complex Orlando, Florida, United States 31 March 2017
86 Mercury Rising 2017: PROGRESS vs. Evolve 1 April 2017
87 Chapter Forty-Seven Electric Ballroom Camden, London 23 April 2017
88 Chapter Forty-Eight The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 14 May 2017
89 Chapter Forty-Nine: Super Strong Style 16 2017 Electric Ballroom Camden, London 27 May 2017
90 28 May 2017
91 29 May 2017
92 Chapter Fifty Electric Ballroom Camden, London 25 June 2017
93 TBA TBA Oberhausen, Ruhr, Germany 1 July 2017
94 Chapter Fifty-One O2 Academy Birmingham, West Midlands 9 July 2017
95 Chapter Fifty-Two Electric Ballroom Camden, London 30 July 2017
96 Chapter Fifty-Three 27 August 2017
97 Chapter Fifty-Four The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 10 September 2017
98 Chapter Fifty-Five O2 Academy Brixton, London 24 September 2017
99 Chapter Fifty-Six Electric Ballroom Camden, London 29 October 2017
100 Chapter Fifty-Seven The Ritz Manchester, Lancashire 12 November 2017
101 Chapter Fifty-Eight Electric Ballroom Camden, London 26 November 2017

Training school

In late 2012, Progress launched the only full-time wrestling school in London and the South East, also known as the ProJo. The school has classes for beginner and advanced level wrestlers, and has a wrestling ring permanently erected along with another ring-sized matted area. The original head trainer at the school was Jimmy Havoc, but he was replaced in November 2013 by Darrell Allen. Other trainers include Danny Garnell, James Davis, Eddie Dennis and Wild Boar Mike Hitchman. The school has hosted seminars by the likes of Michael Elgin, Scott Levy, Nigel McGuinness and others. In late 2013, Progress announced that the ProJo students would be putting on their own shows, which would be called ENDVR. ENDVR shows feature a mix of trainees from the ProJo, their trainers, and other professional wrestlers. The first four ENDVR shows were held at The Bedford Arms in Balham, while ENDVR:5 was held as an afternoon show before the Progress World Cup on 29 June 2014 at The Garage in Islington. Starting from ENDVR:8, the trainee shows move to The Garage on a permanent basis.

Jimmy Havoc and regression

To date, the most significant storyline within the company has been that of Jimmy Havoc's ascent to the championship. Havoc debuted for Progress on Chapter Two in May 2012 and went on to lose six matches without registering a victory, though became very popular with the Progress fans as an underdog babyface. At Chapter Nine in November 2013, Havoc attacked promoter Jim Smallman and aligned himself with The London Riots, turning heel in the process. Havoc would then use an open contract given to him by Smallman to defeat Progress Champion Mark Andrews (who had just wrestled both Paul Robinson and Rampage Brown in consecutive matches) to become champion and pick up his first victory in PROGRESS.

In his first title defence at Chapter Eleven, Havoc defeated Zack Sabre Jr. with the help of his newest associate, Progress trainee "The Omega" Isaac Zercher. Havoc was joined at Chapter Thirteen by Paul Robinson, and the group later christened themselves Regression as a play on the name of the company and to symbolise their hatred of Progress Wrestling.

The group lost its first members at Chapter Fifteen, as the four members of the group (not including Zercher) took on Progress Tag Team champions Eddie Dennis and Mark Andrews, Will Ospreay and Noam Dar in a titles vs. careers match. Ospreay pinned James Davis of The London Riots, meaning that The London Riots were gone from PROGRESS.

Havoc eventually lost the title at Chapter Twenty to Will Ospreay in a no disqualification match. At Chapter Twenty-One, Havoc and Robinson were placed in a number one contenders no disqualification match against each other. The two engaged in a bloody contest with Robinson emerging victorious, seemingly signalling the end of Regression.

Championships

Progress Championship

Unlike conventional wrestling championships which are generally represented by a championship belt, the Progress championship was initially represented by a large staff with an eagle head piece. At Chapter Sixteen, the staff was replaced by a more traditional title belt. The title has been defended in the United States at the Wrestlecon Supershow in Dallas, Texas, and subsequently defended in Italy on April 30, 2016[23] and Ireland on July 16, 2016.[24]

# Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 Nathan Cruz 1 25 March 2012 245 Highbury, London Chapter One: In The Beginning Defeated Marty Scurll, El Ligero and Mike Mason in a tournament final to crown the inaugural champion
2 El Ligero 1 25 November 2012 245 Highbury, London Chapter Four: The Ballad of El Ligero
3 Rampage Brown 1 28 July 2013 119 Highbury, London Chapter Eight: The Big Boy's Guide to Strong Style
4 Mark Andrews 1 24 November 2013 0 Highbury, London Chapter Ten: Glory Follows Virtue As If It Were Its Shadow Successfully cashed in his Natural Progression Series title shot
5 Jimmy Havoc 1 24 November 2013 609 Highbury, London Chapter Ten: Glory Follows Virtue As If It Were Its Shadow Used the open contract given to him by Jim Smallman to make an immediate title match
6 Will Ospreay 1 26 July 2015 182 Camden, London Chapter Twenty: ThunderBastard: Beyond ThunderBastard
7 Marty Scurll 1 24 January 2016 154 Camden, London Chapter Twenty-Five: Chat Shit, Get Banged
8 Pastor William Eaver 1 26 June 2016 35 Camden, London Chapter Thirty-Two: 5000 to 1 Successfully cashed in his Natural Progression Series title shot
9 Marty Scurll 2 31 July 2016 56 Camden, London Chapter Thirty-Three: Malice in Wonderland
10 Mark Haskins 1 25 September 2016 2856+ Brixton, London Chapter Thirty-Six: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room Again Triple threat match with Tommy End

Progress Tag Team Championship

It was announced at Chapter Nine that beginning in November 2013 there would begin a series of matches to determine the first Progress Tag Team champions. The champions were crowned at Chapter Twelve, the second anniversary show, in March 2014. As with the Progress Championship not being a conventional championship belt, the Progress Tag Team Championship is represented by a shield with the Progress eagle on the front. The shield splits into two, one for each championship holder.

# Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 FSU
(Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis)
1 30 March 2014 301 Camden, London Chapter Twelve: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room Defeated Screw Indy Wrestling and Project Ego in a tournament final to crown the inaugural champions
2 The Faceless/The Origin
(Nathan Cruz, El Ligero, Danny Garnell and Damon Moser)
1 25 January 2015 120 Camden, London Chapter Seventeen: Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Originally captured the titles as The Faceless before unmasking as Nathan Cruz and El Ligero, renaming themselves The Origin on 24 May 2015
3 The Sumerian Death Squad
(Tommy End and Michael Dante)
1 25 May 2015 −3157 Camden, London Chapter Nineteen: Super Strong Style 16: Tournament Edition 2015 (Day 2)
4 The Origin
(Nathan Cruz and El Ligero)
2 29 November 2015 182 Camden, London Chapter Twenty-Three: What a Time to Be Alive Won in a three-way match also involving The London Riots
5 London Riots
(Rob Lynch and James Davis)
1 29 May 2016 2975 Camden, London Chapter Thirty: Super Strong Style 16 Tournament Edition 2016 (Day 1)
6 British Strong Style
(Trent Seven and Pete Dunne)
1 25 September 2016 2856+ Brixton, London Chapter Thirty-Six: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room... Again

Progress Atlas Championship

At Chapter Twenty Seven, it was announced that Progress would be adding a third title, which would be called the Atlas Championship. The criteria for this championship is that it would be a division for wrestlers who weigh over 205 lbs, and the matches have a 15-minute time limit. Two blocks of four wrestlers will compete in a round robin format from April to September 2016, with the winner from each group facing off in a final match at Chapter 36 to decide the inaugural champion.

# Champion Reign Date Days held Location Event Notes Ref.
1 Rampage Brown 1 25 September 2016 2856+ Brixton, London Chapter Thirty-Six: We're Gonna Need a Bigger Room Again Tournament final to crown inaugural champion

Progress Women's Championship

It was announced on April 24, 2016 that Natural Progression Series IV would crown the first Progress Women's Champion.

Tournaments

Natural Progression Series

Beginning with Chapter Four: The Ballad of El Ligero, Progress launched the Natural Progression Series, with the intention of showcasing up-and-coming British talent. The winner earns a match for the Progress World Championship at any time, the Natural Progression Series trophy and is allowed to install an eliminated wrestler in that year's tournament into the next Natural Progression Series. This last rule did not count for NPSIII as the following tournament was all-female.

Series I

Quarterfinals
(Chapters Four, Five, Six and Seven)
Semifinals
(Chapters Eight and Nine)
Final
(Chapter Ten)
         
Mark Andrews Pin
Will Ospreay
Mark Andrews Pin
Jonathan Windsor
Mike Hitchman
Jonathan Windsor Pin
Mark Andrews Pin
Paul Robinson
MK McKinnan
Paul Robinson Pin
Paul Robinson Pin
Eddie Dennis
Eddie Dennis Pin
Darrell Allen
Joey Lakeside
Xander Cooper

At the conclusion of the first Natural Progression Series final, the winner Mark Andrews decided to install Will Ospreay into the next tournament.

Series II

Quarterfinals
(Chapters Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen and Fourteen)
Semifinals
(Chapter Fifteen)
Final
(Chapter Seventeen)
         
Josh Bodom
Morgan Webster Pin
Morgan Webster Pin
Pete Dunne
Pete Dunne Sub
Robbie X
Morgan Webster Pin
Zack Gibson
Will Ospreay
Zack Gibson Sub
Zack Gibson Sub
Ali Armstrong
Ali Armstrong Pin
Chuck Mambo
Pastor William Eaver

Series III

Quarterfinals
(Chapters Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, Twenty-Four and Twenty-Five)
Semifinals
(Chapters Twenty-Seven & Twenty-Eight)
Final
(Chapter Twenty-Nine)
         
Damian Dunne Pin
Tyler Bate[NPS 1] 8:54
Damien Dunne 10:33
Pastor William Eaver Pin
Pastor William Eaver Pin
Tyler Bate 9:56
Pastor William Eaver Pin
Damon Moser 11:15
Damon Moser Pin
Jack Sexsmith
Shen Woo
6:54
Damon Moser Pin
Aston Smith 10:09
Ashton Smith Pin
Kyle Ashmore 9:28
  1. ^ Damien Dunne originally lost to Sebastian at Chapter Twenty, but on 18 January 2016 it was announced that Sebastian had withdrawn from the tournament. Damien Dunne vs. Tyler Bate was scheduled as a "Second Chance" match to find a replacement.

Series IV

Natural Progression Series IV will crown the first Progress Women's Champion, with its first match at Chapter Thirty-Eight: When Men Throw Men At Men.

Quarterfinals
(Chapters Thirty-Eight and TBA)
Semifinals
(TBA)
Final
(TBA)
         
Jinny
Pollyanna
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Super Strong Style 16

The Super Strong Style 16 is an annual Spring Bank Holiday weekend knock-out tournament with competitors from around the world. The winner of the tournament receives a Progress Championship match.

2015

First round Second round Semifinals Finals
        
El Ligero 9:12
Will Ospreay Pin
Will Ospreay Pin
Mark Haskins 10:48
Mark Haskins Sub
Jack Gallagher 8:04
Will Ospreay Pin
Roderick Strong 12:45
Rampage Brown Pin
Big Daddy Walter 7:26
Rampage Brown 14:04
Roderick Strong Pin
Tommy End 17:49
Roderick Strong Pin
Will Ospreay Pin
Zack Sabre Jr. 17:57
Eddie Dennis 10:49
Marty Scurll Sub
Marty Scurll Sub
Dave Mastiff 9:24
Dave Mastiff Stop
Noam Dar 10:41
Marty Scurll 19:48
Zack Sabre Jr. Sub
Damian O'Connor 12:52
Tommaso Ciampa Pin
Tommaso Ciampa 15:49
Zack Sabre Jr. Pin
Zack Gibson 15:47
Zack Sabre Jr. Sub

2016

First round Second round Semifinals Finals
        
Mark Haskins Sub
Pete Dunne 9:50
Mark Andrews[SSS16 2] Pin
Mikey Whiplash 1:40
Damon Moser Pin
Mikey Whiplash 4:35
Mark Andrews Pin
Zack Gibson 7:50
Kenny Williams Sub
Zack Gibson 10:23
Zack Gibson Sub
Jack Gallagher
TK Cooper Pin
Jack Gallagher 6:21
Mark Andrews 6:20
Tommy End Pin
Dave Mastiff Sub
Big Daddy Walter 11:13[SSS16 1]
Big Daddy Walter Pin
Chris Hero 13:18
Mark Andrews Pin
Chris Hero 16:11
Chris Hero Pin
Tommy End 12:36
Sami Callihan Pin
Matt Cross 10:06
Sami Callihan Pin
Tommy End 6:31
Rampage Brown Pin
Tommy End 7:29
  1. ^ This match was also an Atlas Championship Tournament group stage match. Had the match lasted longer than 15 minutes, both wrestlers would have been awarded one point for a draw with the match continuing only for the Super Strong Style 16 tournament.
  2. ^ After Haskins collapsed from exhaustion between the first and second day, a single fall Redemption Scramble match was held at the start of day two between all of the wrestlers who lost in the first round, Nathan Cruz and El Ligero.

Progress World Cup

The Progress World Cup was held in June 2014 at The Garage in Islington, with 8 members of the Progress roster representing individual countries. The winner of this one-day tournament would be given a title shot against the Progress Champion.

Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
         
Netherlands Tommy End Pin
Wales Eddie Dennis 8:22
Tommy End 8:34
Rampage Brown Pin
England Rampage Brown Pin
Canada Paul Synott 8:51
Rampage Brown 15:40
Noam Dar Pin
Israel Noam Dar Pin
Scotland Grado 18:00
Noam Dar Sub
Darrell Allen 11:37
Jamaica Darrell Allen Pin
India RJ Singh 8:33

At the conclusion of the tournament final, Jim Smallman approached Rampage Brown, the tournament runner-up, and said that if Brown left the Screw Indy Wrestling faction, he would let him face Samoa Joe at Chapter 14. Brown accepted the offer, and was installed as Joe's opponent at the promotion's Thunderbastard show in July.

Atlas Championship tournament

Current standings
Group A Group B
Wrestler Matches Points Wrestler Matches Points
T-Bone 3 6 Joe Coffey 3 5
Dave Mastiff 3 4 Rampage Brown 3 3
Big Daddy Walter 3 2 Michael Dante 3 2
Iestyn Rees 3 0 Damo O'Connor 3 2

Group stage

  • Chapter 28 - Group A: T-Bone defeated Big Daddy Walter via pinfall
  • Chapter 29 - Group A: Michael Dante defeated Damo O'Connor via pinfall
  • Chapter 29 - Group B: Rampage Brown vs. Joe Coffey ended in a time limit draw
  • ENDVR:16 - Group A: T-Bone defeated Iestyn Rees via pinfall
  • Chapter 30 - Group A: Big Daddy Walter defeated Dave Mastiff via submission
  • Chapter 31 - Group B: Damo O'Connor and Joe Coffey defeated Rampage Brown and Mikey Whiplash (substituting for Michael Dante) via pinfall
  • Chapter 32 - Group A: T-Bone and Zack Gibson (substituting for Dave Mastiff) defeated Big Daddy Walter and Iestyn Rees via pinfall
  • Chapter 32 - Group B: Rampage Brown defeated Damo O'Connor by forfeit when Damo was unable to appear
  • Chapter 34 - Group A: Dave Mastiff defeated Iestyn Rees
  • Chapter 34 - Group B: Joe Coffey defeated Michael Dante

Finals

Semifinals (Chapter 35) Final (Chapter 36)
      
A1 T-Bone
B2 Rampage Brown pin
Rampage Brown pin
Joe Coffey
B1 Joe Coffey pin
A2 Dave Mastiff

Media review and industry response

Patrick Lennon, wrestling journalist for the Daily Star, has attended and reviewed Progress shows such as the acclaimed Chapter Seven: Every Saint Has a Past, Every Sinner Has a Future.[25]

Carrie Dunn, founder and main contributor of wrestling blog "The Only Way is Suplex",[26] published the book Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling.[27] Progress Wrestling features frequently in the book including opening a chapter regarding London based wrestling promotions.[28]

Roster

Male roster

Ring name Real name Notes
Big Daddy Walter Unknown
Chuck Mambo Unknown Member of Sweet Jesus
Damian Dunne Damian McKeown
Damon Moser Unknown
Darrell Allen Darrell Allen Member of Dazzler Team
Dave Mastiff David Minton Member of The Origin
Earl Black Jr. Earl Black Jr. Member of Dazzler Team
Eddie Dennis Edward Dennis Member of F.S.U.
El Ligero Simon Musk Member of The Origin
Iestyn Rees Iestyn Rees
Jack Sexsmith Ryan Comerford
James Davis James Duckworth Member of London Riots
Jimmy Havoc James Mcahren[29]
Mark Andrews Mark Andrews Member of F.S.U.
Mark Haskins Mark Haskins PROGRESS World Champion
Smash Wrestling Champion
Marty Scurll Martin Scurll
Michael Dante Unknown
Mikey Whiplash Michael Gilbert
Morgan Webster Gavin Steward Inactive; ankle and shoulder injuries
Nathan Cruz Nathan Irwin Member of The Origin
Pastor William Eaver Martin Kelly Member of Sweet Jesus
Paul Robinson Paul Robinson
Pete Dunne Peter England PROGRESS Tag Team Champion
Member of British Strong Style
Rampage Brown Oliver Biney PROGRESS Atlas Champion
Rob Lynch Robert Williams Member of London Riots
Roy Johnson Rory Harris-Williams
Sebastian Karim Nabbach[30]
T-Bone Tom Clifford
TK Cooper Tasman Bartlett Member of South Pacific Power Trip
Travis Banks Travis Bligh Member of South Pacific Power Trip
Trent Seven Ben Webb PROGRESS Tag Team Champion
Member of British Strong Style
Tyler Bate Tyler Bate
Zack Gibson Jack Rea Member of The Origin
Zack Sabre Jr. Lucas Eatwell

Female roster

Ring name Real name Notes
Alex Windsor Unknown
Dahlia Black Olivia Shaw Member of South Pacific Power Trip
Nixon Newell Steffanie Newell
Laura Di Matteo Laura Mattioli Formerly Elizabeth
Jinny Jinny Sandhu
Pollyanna Polly Ann Bryce
Toni Storm Toni Rossall

Broadcast team

RJ Singh
Ring name Real name Notes
Callum Leslie Callum Leslie Commentator
Glen Joseph Glen Robinson Commentator
Jim Smallman James Smallman Ring announcer
RJ Singh Ross Jones Commentator

Notable guests and alumni

References

  1. ^ "About". PROGRESS Wrestling. Retrieved 2 January 2013.
  2. ^ Rehal, Sumit (26 May 2014). "Progress Wrestling – 'If we didn't have such talented guys in Britain, then the promotion wouldn't be doing as well as it is,' says co-founder Jim Smallman". The Independent. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  3. ^ http://downloadfestival.co.uk/news/progress-wrestling-set-wreak-havoc-download-2015
  4. ^ http://www.progresswrestling.com/chapter24news/
  5. ^ "Another Indie Promotion To Host WWE Global Cruiserweight Series Qualifying Matches". Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  6. ^ https://hashtagwrest.wordpress.com/2016/05/30/announcement-progress-thisis_progress-goes-to-canada-this-september/
  7. ^ https://hashtagwrest.wordpress.com/2016/07/28/announcement-progress-thisis_progress-vs-smash-new-event-added-match-talent-signed/
  8. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135787
  9. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=155825
  10. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=155826
  11. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135788
  12. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135789
  13. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=158588
  14. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=154772
  15. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135791
  16. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135792
  17. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135793
  18. ^ https://www.facebook.com/events/315720948784081/
  19. ^ https://www.facebook.com/events/207929032959709/
  20. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135795
  21. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=135796
  22. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=155824
  23. ^ http://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1723&page=5&reign=7
  24. ^ http://www.wrestling-news.net/ccw-project-mayhem-2016-results/81341/
  25. ^ "Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future show is a winner". Daily Star. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  26. ^ "The Only Way Is Suplex". Carrie Dunn. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  27. ^ ""Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling" Amazon listing". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 8 December 2013.
  28. ^ Dunn, Carrie (2013). "Chapter 11: In the spotlight - London calling". Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling. Pitch. pp. 174–176. ISBN 978-1-909178-46-5.
  29. ^ ""Die Havoc Die" - A Look at UK'S Most Hated Wrestler - Jimmy Havoc". HighlightNation.com. Three Amigos Global Ltd. Retrieved 28 September 2016.
  30. ^ "North Korean officials visit salon over Kim Jong-un 'bad hair' advert". BBC.co.uk. BBC. Retrieved 10 August 2016.