PROGRESS Wrestling open 2018 with a stellar card in Birmingham. The UK’s leading promotion is looking to go from strength to strength as they head for Wembley. They can start the year off right with an action-packed card Sunday. Let’s dive into PROGRESS Chapter 61: Don’t Touch Me…Don’t…Don’t Touch Me.
Match 1: Chris Ridgeway vs Mark Andrews
PROGRESS legend Mandrews faces a big challenge. Ridgeway was one of the most talked about prospects in the UK last year. He debuted at CHapter 58 against Timothy Thatcher he impressed in his debut and proved that he was worth the hype. Then at Chapter 59 he easily defeated Adam Chase. Ridgeway can make a big impact if he picks off Andrews but the high flier should have enough to pull off the victory.
Predictions: Mark Andrews to win
Match 2: Nina Samuels & Bea Priestley vs Millie McKenzie & Charli Evans
PROGRESS has seen an influx of so many women recently. At Unboxing Live we saw six women steal the show and prove that the division is more than just Toni Storm. McKenzie debuted at Unboxing winning the six-way match. She teams with Aussie import Evans to take on Samuels and Priestley. Samuels and Priestley have been the mean girls of the division hurting their opponents including Evans. McKenzie is the best partner for Evans, having faced many men she is as tough as they come and is more than capable of taking on Priestley and Samuels.
Predictions: Millie McKenzie & Charli Evans to win
Match 3: Jimmy Havoc & Mark Haskins w/ Vicky Haskins vs Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher)
Aussie Open are new to the PROGRESS tag division and could easily be future tag team champions. They take on the rising Havoc and Haskins who are gaining momentum ever since joining forces. The two former PROGRESS champions will be favorites but Aussie Open will not go down without a fight.
Predictions: Jimmy Havoc & Mark Haskins to win
Match 4: Will Ospreay vs Adam Brooks
Ospreay surprised everyone by making his return to PROGRESS at Unboxing live. He takes on a man he has been very high on and squared off with already in Melbourne City Wrestling. Brooks is the star of the burgeoning Australian scene. This will be very interesting to any fans that have not seen these two face off and will no doubt tear the house down.
Predictions: Will Ospreay to win
Match 5: WWE UK Championship Match: Pete Dunne (c) vs Joseph Connors
This match was meant to happen in Sheffield but due to poor weather, Dunne was stranded in Ireland. Connors has tried to make a name for himself by taking out Dunne. Dunne has been headstrong and put his title on the line to get Connors one on one.
Predictions: Pete Dunne to win and retain
Match 6: PROGRESS Tag Team Championship Match: Grizzled Young Vets (James Drake & Zack Gibson) (c) vs Moustache Mountain (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven)
Another match that was rescheduled. The current champions have really helped each other since joining forces. GYV has helped out Connors in his feud with British Strong Style and made enemies of Moustache Mountain. So far Seven and Bate have been playful but when the bell rings they will no doubt be out to regain their titles. Moustache Mountain are not to be underestimated but GYV are the new team on the block and should win here.
Predictions: Grizzled Young Vets to win and retain
Match 7: PROGRESS World Championship Match: Travis Banks (c) vs Chris Brookes
CCK members face off in our main event. With Kid Lykos injured, Brookes can no longer compete in the tag division. He is currently undefeated in singles matches and decided to challenge Banks to a title match. Banks being the excellent fighting champion he is will be remorseless against his stablemate. This is a rare first time meeting in a match between two of the best wrestlers anywhere in the world and we may just see PROGRESS’ match of the year here. With TK Cooper back in the mix, any involvement from him or some cracks in CCK are to be expected.
