PROGRESS comes to Bournemouth and Birmingham with a card full of new talent and one of the most different and exciting lineups we’ve seen them have in a long time, Austin Theory, Kasey Owens, DJZ and Jody Fleisch are all set to appear over the weekend. A big storyline gets a big match as Do Not Resuscitate have the chance to solidify their spot at the top of the PROGRESS card. A full weekend of action that could lead to two of the most exciting shows PROGRESS has had in a while.
Chapter 85: Progo.Naut
Match 1: SSS16 Qualifier: Angelico vs DJZ
We all know the kind of match we’re getting here, former X-Division champion DJZ versus former AAA and Lucha Underground performer Angelico. Two high fliers who should put on a hot opening contest as they fight it out to earn a spot in Super Strong Style 16.
Match 2: Travis Banks vs El Phantasmo
El Phantasmo has been making his name all over the UK, most notably in RevPro and Fight Club: Pro but PROGRESS have yet to call upon him consistently. If he wants to earn a spot on the PROGRESS roster a great showing against former world champion Travis Banks could work wonders for ELP. Banks is an intelligent wrestler and he will try to take away the high flying aspects of El Phantasmo to keep him grounded. They have crossed paths before in FCP but now they have a singles match on the big stage of PROGRESS.
Match 3: Anti Fun Police (Chief Deputy Dunne & Los Federales Santos Jr.) vs The 198 (Wild Boar & Flash Morgan Webster)
PROGRESS’ tag team division is wide open at the moment with CCK busy with LAX and Aussie Open being out of the picture for now. This opens the door for either of these teams to put their name in the hat for a PROGRESS tag title match. The 198 came into PROGRESS like a house on fire as they turned on Mark Haskins and then proceeded to dominate the tag team league heading into Wembley, they failed to win the titles and have faded away since but will be looking to continue the form that took them to the top of the tag division briefly. The AFP face an uphill battle but as always Santos provides the x-factor then as he can use his power advantage to get the better of his two opponents.
Match 4: SSS16 Qualifier: Austin Theory vs Jordan Devlin
American prospect and EVOLVE superstar Austin Theory makes his way to the UK for his PROGRESS debut. The former FIP and WWN champion is the current reigning EVOLVE champion and has been plying his trade in the WWN for years now and is one of the brightest prospects in the US scene. He takes on a fellow rising star NXT UK star the Irish Ace Jordan Devlin. Devlin went from being an unknown to one of the best wrestlers in the world last year as his reign as Over The Top (OTT) Wrestling saw the company reach new levels of success and international acclaim with his match against WALTER being considered one of the best of the year in 2018. Two rising stars from different sides of the world clash to earn a spot in Super Strong Style 16.
Match 5: Millie McKenzie vs Session Moth Martina
Moth vs Millie as Martina makes her return to PROGRESS after a year away. Since her last time in PROGRESS Martina has toured Stardom twice and become a much better wrestler than she was, her character has made her a favorite all over the UK but now she can back that up in the ring. She faces a suplex machine in Millie McKenzie, who has also been to Japan, in a match that could steal the show. The new and improved Moth against a prodigy in the UK scene. As an added bonus the winner of this match will get a women’s title shot at Super Strong Style 16
Match 6: Trent Seven vs Jody Fleisch
Trent Seven takes a step away from his Atlas open challenges to fight a different kind of wrestler in Jody Fleisch. Fleisch is more of a high flier than a brawler like Seven has gotten used to facing during his Atlas title reign. Between them, there is over 30 years experience in wrestling so these two veterans are going to put on a good match no matter what. Fleisch is getting the biggest opportunity of his career in PROGRESS and a win over Seven could get him a consistent spot on the roster.
Match 7: Jimmy Havoc, Eddie Dennis & Mark Haskins vs Do Not Resuscitate (Spike Trivet, Chuck Mambo & Present William Eaver)
The “dinosaurs” that DNR has attempted to eradicate from PROGRESS are here to make the faction atone for their sins. Jimmy Havoc made his comeback at the last show to take out DNR and dragged Drew Parker out of the arena much to the delight of the fans. Another superteam of WWE superstar Eddie Dennis, ROH wrestler Mark Haskins, and AEW signee Jimmy Havoc take on the three young wrestlers as they look to prove they still belong on PROGRESS shows. DNR has been vicious in their mission to forcefully open spots on the card for them and other young talent but they meet three men who have been through it all in a PROGRESS ring and are ready to die for their spots.
Chapter 86: Corrupted Harmony
Match 1: Jody Fleisch vs DJZ
After facing Trent Seven Fleisch will get to face a fellow high flier in DJZ. Much like his match on the first night, expect Z to have a nice match here as both of these men should be able to get the best out of each other for fast-paced contest.
Match 2: Kasey Owens, Jinny & Laura Di Matteo vs Session Moth Martina, Millie McKenzie & Nina Samuels
Jinny continues to fend off the women’s division as her and her cohort Laura is joined by a debuting Kasey Owens to face a ragtag team of babyfaces. Samuels has been leading the charge against Jinny ever since the demolition of the House Of Couture and is now joined by two people who have issues with Jinny. The issue here for Samuels is Martina and McKenzie may come into this one with bad blood after their match the night before. If they can remain on the same page then a team of Moth and McKenzie could be just what Samuels needs to turn the tides of this battle against Jinny
Match 3: Trent Seven vs Austin Theory
The older Seven will obviously go into this one with a bit of an experience advantage but the upshot Theory should provide a challenge to the champion. As Theory mainly wrestles for EVOLVE one must wonder if a match like this, and a great performance or win over Seven could be the step up he needs to earn a spot in somewhere like NXT or in the upper echelons of indie wrestling.
Match 4: SSS16 Qualifier: Chris Ridgeway vs Spike Trivet
Trivet has been harping on about a lack of opportunities so PROGRESS has offered him one, beat Chris Ridgeway and get into Super Strong Style 16. Ridgeway has been in fine form lately after winning a few big matches and taking the fight to world champion WALTER. Trivet will be looking to win to get DNR into SSS16 and get the opportunity he feels he deserves by beating a fellow rising star
Match 5: Anti Fun Police (Chief Deputy Dunne & Los Federales Santos Jr) vs Do Not Resuscitate (Chuck Mambo & Present William Eaver)
The former Sweet Jesus is still looking to win the tag team titles, now with a renewed purpose as part of DNR and they face a cornerstone tag team of the tag team division in PROGRESS. A win would put either team in a great position in the tag division but both have absolute wars on their hands the day before this match so it may come down to the survival of the fittest.
Match 6: Team Whitewolf (Carlos Romo & A-Kid) vs Jimmy Havoc & Mark Haskins w/ Vicky Haskins
The reunited Havoc and Haskins are back together to combat the threat of Do Not Resuscitate. Now that they’re together they need to get back in the groove as they face one of the hottest tag teams in Europe right now. Team Whitewolf make their long-awaited PROGRESS debut having been making a name for themselves in other major promotions in the UK like RevPro and Over The Top (OTT) Wrestling. Whitewolf will be hungry to make the most of this big opportunity and defeat two former PROGRESS champions but Havoc and Haskins need to prove to themselves and DNR that they are still a force to be reckoned with.
