At Chapter 56: La Danse Macabre, PROGRESS was a very different company from the one we saw at Alexandra Palace, where some new talent shone and existing characters progressed and changed. it was the perfect show to bring some hype back to the company that has translated to another fantastic card here with Chapter 57: Enter Smiling.
Match 1: Alex Windsor vs Jinny Vs Dahlia Black vs Candyfloss
A number one contenders match here with four good wrestlers and an interesting feud between Jinny and Black to keep your eyes on. Candyfloss makes her main show debut and will look to showcase her skills and stake a claim for a permanent spot in the division. As will Windsor an often overlooked women’s worker in all the UK making her first appearance since Chapter 47 and she will want to make her impression here and potentially dethrone Storm. A truly unpredictable match as Jinny and Black may neutralize one another leaving either Windor or Candyfloss to pick up the surprise win.
Predictions: Alex Windsor to win
Match 2: Joe Coffey vs Doug Williams
Veteran Williams is looking to make a run for the Atlas title and will need a win here after losing to Timothy Thatcher in his last appearance. Coffey was the runner up in the tournament that crowned Rampage Brown the first Atlas champion, he hasnt appeared in PROGRESS since last year at Chapter 39 (Partially due to his short lived world of sport contract) but it is great to see him back here as he is one of the UK’s finest and a win here would certainly put him in the hunt for a match with WALTER. Coffey is a late replacement for Wolfgang so I see them going with Williams here.
Predictions: Doug Williams to win
Match 3: Jack Sexsmith & A Mystery Partner vs Jimmy Havoc & Mark Haskins W/Vicky Haskins
After Sexy Starr’s defeat last week Havoc and Haskins laid them out with a nail filled bat. After going to war the two have now joined forces and Sexsmith is directly in their firing line, the “Pansexual Phenomenon” won’t take this lying down as man used to overcoming adversity he will fight tooth and nail against his aggressors. Could we see a ShirtLifters reunion and will it be enough to stop the unholy union of HHH.
Predictions: Jimmy Havoc and Mark Haskins to win
Match 4: Moustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) vs Grizzled Young Vets (Zack Gibson & James Drake)
GYV ruined British Strong Style’s homecoming at the last show allowing Joseph Connors to lay out Pete Dunne MM got back to winning ways showing off their renewed fun side against Sexy Starr but will need to get serious as they take on the anti fun GYV who have gelled really well since becoming a tag team. GYV will be looking to claim the biggest scalp of their career against MM but the BSS boys will no doubt be eying a potential rematch with CCK or Ringkampf.
Predictions: Grizzled Young Vets to win
Match 5: Keith Lee vs Flash Morgan Webster
Keith Lee comes off a losing effort PROGRESS champion Travis Banks as he takes on the up and coming Webster who faces the biggest challenge of his career here. Lee has a reputation to uphold and will look to best the smaller Webster but as as with Banks his casual cockiness could come back to haunt him if Webster is able to capitalize, something that he is well capable of.
Predictions: Flash Morgan Webster to pull off the upset
Match 6: PROGRESS Tag Team Championship Match: CCK (Kid Lykos & Chris Brookes) (c) vs Ringkampf (WALTER & Timothy Thatcher)
What.A.Match this is going to be one hell of a war. CCK having finally recovered from the injuries that have hit them recently will be looking to make a statement in their first title defense against the formidable forces of WALTER and Thatcher. My money is on CCK and their sick F’n tag moves to overcome their monstrous opponents.
Predictions: CCK to win and Retain
Main Event: PROGRESS World Championship Match: Travis Banks (c) vs Mark Andrews
Andrews gets the shot he earned at Chapter 55 when he won a frantic multi man match for the No. 1 Contender-ship. As we know his long time F.S.U tag partner and best friend Eddie Dennis turned on him post match and you have to wonder if that will shit Andrews’ focus and also whether or not Dennis will interfere in this match. Banks as the babyface champion is a welcome change to Dunne’s reign of terror and he is game for any challenger and should come out on top here.
Predictions: Travis Banks to win and Retain
A fantastic looking card with at least 3 potentially great match ups as well as some new story beats to follow along with.
