PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter #42: Life, The Universe, and Wrestling

January 15, 2017

From the O2 Academy in Birmingham, West Midlands, England

Your hosts are Callum Leslie and Matt Richards

Just an FYI, I am a complete novice when it comes to PROGRESS Wrestling so if you have some insight, please feel free to comment.

Jim Smallman (PROGRESS co-owner) is in the ring to start off the show. He jokes about being shown on the WWE Network during the UK Title Tournament wearing a suit as the crowd jokingly starts off a “you sold out” chant. He hypes up the crowd then the lights go out and smokes fills the aisle as Finn Balor comes out to the ring. The crowd is jacked for Balor, who greets them by saying “surprise.” He is then greeted with a “welcome back” chant as he talks about reminiscing about the old days of PROGRESS and how much he misses competing here. The crowd has fun as Balor asks Smallman to let him compete. Balor wants to take four fans from the audience to have the first-ever PROGRESS Wrestling musical chairs game. Balor throws four packets into the crowd and those who catch them get a chance to participate. Balor barely gets on a chair as some poor fan is eliminated as the crowd chants “bullshit.” They use “Sexy Boy” as the song as the larger fans is now eliminated. Next, Balor finally gets eliminated and after that the last song is Triple H’s theme as some fan name Tom ends up winning. Some harmless fun to hype up the crowd, who were excited to see Balor.

Ringkampf (Axel Dieter & WALTER) vs. London Riots (James Davis & Rob Lynch)

The Riots also wrestle for Rev Pro. WALTER is the larger of Ringkampf and has wrestled all over Europe. Dieter is smaller but with a good look as he makes his PROGRESS debut. He starts off by grounding Davis as he works the arm. Davis escapes and decks Dieter before tagging in Lynch. WALTER also tags in as the two big men of the team fight over a lockup and end in a stalemate. They collide then Lynch clears the ring as Davis takes Dieter out with a tope. WALTER catches a dive to the outside and rams Davis into the post but Lynch takes him out with a tope con hilo. Back inside, Dieter gets hit with a double shoulder tackle. The Riots hit Dieter with a rope-hung senton for two but Dieter cheap shots Lynch after a break then makes the tag. Ringkampf now cuts off the ring as they focus on the arm of Lynch. WALTER hits a big back body drop as the crowd is fully behind Lynch. WALTER chops Lynch down but Lynch counters a piedriver with a backdrop and makes the tag as Davis runs wild. He takes Ringkampf down with a double dropkick but WALTER catches him with a sleeper. WALTER then hits a German suplex and a double underhook suplex but that only gets two. The crowd is now behind Davis as Dieter tags in and hits a few quick strikes before working a side headlock on the mat. WALTER shoves Davis in the corner but in the process knocks his partner off of the apron. Dieter ends up coming in and hits a snap suplex as WALTER gets the nearfall with a shotgun dropkick as Lynch makes the save. Lynch gets tossed outside as WALTER breaks out of a rare choke only for WALTER to trip him up. Davis escapes and goes for the tag but Dieter yanks Lynch off of the apron. Ringkampf almost gets the win with a diving uppercut/powerbomb combo. The crowd again rallies behind Davis, who fights back then escapes from a powerbomb attempt to make the tag. Lynch beats on both men but fails to get WALTER up and gets hit with a boot to the face then a lariat for a nearfall. WALTER heads up top but Lynch takes him off then hits a Death Valley Driver. He covers but Dieter makes the save just in time then Davis runs in as the match breaks down. The District Light almost puts Dieter away as WALTER makes the save. Dieter catches Davis with a DDT then Davis gets dumped. Dieter then hits Lynch with a cradle suplex as WALTER hits a judo throw then works a rear choke with a bodyscissors and gets the win via submission (16:32) ***1/2.

Thoughts: Really good tag match to open the show. All four guys worked hard and impressed at times. WALTER really showed a lot to me as the announcers put over Ringkampf as a threat in the PROGRESS Tag Team Division. The London Riots are a rock solid team too and I’ve never seen a bad performance from them.

Sebastian w/ Pastor William Eaver vs. Jack Sexsmith

Sexsmith dresses effeminately, even wearing Ugg boots, and bills himself as a “pansexual.” Sexsmith hits Sebastain with a super kick before the bell then pulls down his pants for the stink face but Eaver pulls Sebastian outside. Sexsmith hits a flip dive to the outside but gets in the face of Eaver and that allows Sebastian to hit a nasty running kick from the ring. Good lord that looked brutal. Sexsmith is struggling to get up as Eaver seems to be concerned but Sexsmith shoves him off and rolls himself back inside. Sebastian gets two off of a scoop slam but Sexsmith counters a suplex with a small package for two. Sebastian kicks Sexsmith in the face and works him over in the corner. Sexsmith comes back with a pair of Manhattan drops then hits a swinging neckbreaker as both men are down. Sexsmith gets a nearfall with a floating DDT then proceeds to pull an unwrapped condom out from his trunks. Sebastain avoids a clothesline and hits a nifty move that the announcers call a twisting Unprettier as that gets two. I’d be shocked if someone did not steal that move to be honest. Sexsmith then catches Sebastain with the claw, called “Mr. Cocko” as the condom is over his fingers. Sebastian accidentally knocks Eaver off of the apron as he was trying to distract the ref as Sexsmith puts Sebstian in the Crossface Cocko for the win (6:21) **. After the match, Sebastian argues with Eaver and slaps him across the face. Eaver then raises and flexes his arm but Sebastian slaps him again then a few more times as the crowd chants “fuck off, Sebastian” as Eaver ends up holding the ropes open for Sebastian when he leaves.

Thoughts: I found this entertaining. The crowd was really into Sexsmith and he got into his act a lot. It seems like they are building to some sort of dynamic where Eaver sides with Sexsmith. Sebastian is a solid heel from what I saw here.

Jimmy Havoc vs. Tommy End

The crowd is hot for this match. End was basically on loan here for the night by the WWE. These men have never fought before and they start off going back-and-forth until Havoc connects with a right hand. Havoc hammers away until he gets hit with a back elbow. End takes Havoc down with a hurricarana and hits some running kicks that get him a two count. Havoc hits a discus forearm and sends End outside where he takes him out with a tope. Back inside, Havoc gets two with a Death Valley Driver then stretches out End for a bit. End fights back and takes Havoc down after a flurry of strikes. Havoc avoids a double stomp but gets drillled with a spinning wheel kick then End almost puts him away with a bridging German suplex. Havoc comes back to catch End with a Go to Sleep then hits the Rainmaker for the win (6:50) **3/4. After the match, both men shake hands then Havoc leaves as End throws a streamer and waves to the crowd.

Thoughts: Good action here but the match was really short. Makes sense for End to put over Havoc, who will remain with PROGRESS. The crowd gave End a nice salute after the match. I like Havoc though. He is a good worker with a distinct character.

Alex Windsor vs. Livvii Grace

This is a women’s match. Grace is a bit similar to Naomi in terms of attire and character. Windsor is a veteran as Grace is billed as a rookie on commentary but in reality its her fourth year in wrestling. Still inexperienced though. They start off fighting over a lockup and end up outside where Windsor rams Grace against the apron. Grace reverses an Irish whip and sends Windsor into the post before bringing her back inside. Grace hits some forearm smashes that do not look good at all then takes Windsor down with an armdrag. Grace gets two with a basement dropkick but Windsor cartwheels over a drop down and hits a low kick. They work a reversal sequence that ends with Grace hitting a kick to the chest but Windsor comes back to knock Grace down. Windsor targets the back and neck then hits three straight running dropkicks but that only gets two. Windsor goes back to working the neck and gets two with a swinging neckbreaker. Windsor gets two with a running shoulder tackle for a nearfall then goes back to working the neck. Grace gets her boot up in the corner then tries to do a hurricarana but messes it up and does an arm drag instead. Grace comes back with some running strikes and gets two with a not-quite Shining Wizard as Windsor rolls outside. Grace heads out but Windsor clotheslines her down. Grace fights back and gets a few nearfalls but runs into a bicycle kick as Windsor gets two. Windsor works a surfboard then kicks Grace down but that only gets two. Grace now hulks up and hits a German suplex and then a suplex that she turns into a fisherman’s suplex after the fact but that only gets two. The crowd starts up a “suplex city” chant but Windsor catches Grace’s foot then it leads to another botched spot as Grace was supposed to end up on Windsor’s shoulders and probably hit a hurricarana but ends up falling over instead. Windsor covers for two as the announcers smartly cover for Grace by saying the competitors are tired. Windsor tries a Scorpion Death Lock but Grace turns that into a cradle for two in another ugly spot. Grace catches Windsor with a headbutt then a dropkick for two. Windsor ends up tripping up Grace and puts on the Scorpion Deathlock as Grace taps out (13:43) 1/4*.

Thoughts: Yikes, this was ugly. The first half was passable but it rapidly deteriorated as it went along. Grace tries but she is had a horrendous performance here. The match was at its best when Windsor was on offense and she was alright here but Grace struggled a lot. I also thought having this go on for as long as it did was another detriment to the performers. A shorter, more basic match would have been an improvement here.

South Pacific Power Trip (TK Cooper & Travis Banks w/ Dahlia Black) vs. The Origin (Dave Mastiff & El Ligero)

Before the match, Mastiff apologizes for upsetting Black & Cooper on social media then makes a mother joke at the expense of Banks, who is being held back. A “He’s your Dad” chant breaks out now as Mastiff apologizes for implying Black was a skank but the truth is he does not know that and he just did it for a laugh. Banks then attacks Ligero before he could speak (he apparently has never spoke before) and shortly after that the bell rings. Ligero unlaces his boot and pulls out an El Generico mask as the crowd starts up an “ole” chant. Mastiff puts on the mask and works a lucha sequence at 5’9 and 315 lbs. The mask fell off but he did a great job as the crowd applauds. Cooper stomps the mask then The Origin take control. Black heads in and yells at them but the ref ends up slamming here as the crowd goes nuts. Black is in a state of shock as the SPPT regroup outside. Things settle down as Banks works over Ligero in the ring. The SPPT beat on Ligero in the corner as Cooper gets two with a neckbreaker after Mastiff makes the save. Ligero finally makes the tag as Mastiff runs wild. Banks takes Mastiff down with a springboard kick but Ligero returns the favor then Mastiff hits a cannonball. Cooper kicks down his opponents as this match has completely broken down. Black holds up Ligero for Cooper, who stops short of hitting her after Ligero broke free. Cooper and Black then makeout but Ligero ducks behind Cooper and yanks Black’s leg up as Cooper ends up getting kicked in the groin. Mastiff hits Cooper with a bridging German suplex for a nearfall then Ligero gets up on Mastiff’s shoulders but Banks come in and boots Mastiff in the gut. The SPPT use some sweet double team moves but cannot put Mastiff away. They place Mastiff up top as Ligero tries to make it a Tower of Doom spot but is unable to take anyone down. The SPPT stare down Ligero but that allows Mastiff to hit a missile dropkick. Black yells at the ref then Cooper runs Ligero into the post outside as the SPPT hit a flurry of kicks on Mastiff for the win (11:21) **1/2.

Thoughts: Entertaining for what it was. The finish was anticlimactic though. Normally, The Origin are heels but they played up to the crowd here. Banks seems to have a lot of potential but personally, Cooper did not do much for me.

Paul Robinson vs. Spud

Spud is in fact Rockstar Spud of TNA fame. Robinson is also a small man as I do not believe these guys even weigh a combined 300lbs. Robinson is also clearly the heel as he agitates the fans and gets flipped off by them when posing on the top rope. Robinson attacks Spud before the bell and pounds on him in the corner. Robinson starts whipping Spud with his belt as Spud’s back is covered in welts. Spud gets tossed to the floor as Robinson pulls out a bowtie and puts in on to mock Spud’s TNA character. The bell finally rings as Robinson gauges the eyes of Spud. They head outside where Robinson bites the back of Spud’s neck. Robinson brings Spud back inside and continues to rough him up. He spits on Spud’s chest then shoves the bow tie in his mouth as the crowd gives shit to Robinson as Spud gets up. Spud spits in Robinson’s face but gets punched in the face. Spud no-sells a turnbuckle smash as he starts to fire up. Spud hammers away as he is in the zone. Spud flies out with three topes that he nearly overshot each time as the crowd is really into this match. Back inside, Spud hits a neckbreaker and follows with a top rope elbow drop before he picks up the belt. The ref stops Spud from using the belt and takes it away so Spud takes off his own studded belt and whips Robinson, who hits Spud low as the referee rules this match as a disqualification (9:37) **1/2. After the match, Robinson attacks Spud then grabs a chair from the crowd and uses that to hit Spud in the back. Robinson then hits a curb stomp but out comes Jimmy Havoc as Robinson bails. The crowd then sings “Living on a Prayer” for Spud as he gets to his feet. That was his entrance theme.

Thoughts: This was a match designed to set up for a bigger match, likely with a No DQ stipulation. Robinson does a great job in his role and is someone you want to see get his comeuppance as he is really a character you hate. Spud was over here with the crowd too and did a good job of selling at the beginning. I’d like to see another match between the two.

Up next, PROGRESS Atlas Champion Rampage Brown comes out for his open challenge. The Atlas Division is for those over 205 lbs. Brown waits in the ring then out comes Matt Riddle as the fans start up a “bro” chant. Brown was actually under a WWE Developmental Deal six years ago and used the name Monty Lynch when they were using FCW as a territory.

PROGRESS Atlas Championship Match: Matt Riddle vs. Rampage Brown (c)

Both guys shake hands to start things off. They lockup and trade holds and end up in a stalemate. Brown stalls on the apron for a bit then heads in and beats on Riddle in the corner. He hits a spinebuster for two then goes back to beating on Riddle for a bit. Riddle fights back and hits an exploder then a senton that gets two. Riddle chops Brown then hits several knee smashes in the corner as we get dueling chants from the crowd. Brown comes back with a kick but Riddle blocks a suplex and hits a Fisherman’s buster as both men are down. They get up and slug it out until Brown connects with a lariat as both men are back down on the mat. Brown is up first and hits a powerbomb that gets two. Riddle blocks a pieldriver attempt then rolls through a sunset flip and hits a running knee smash to the chest. Riddle charges but Brown catches him with a lariat. Riddle ducks another clothesline attempt and hits the Bro to Sleep. He gets a nearfall with a jumping tombstone as is in disbelief. Riddle looks crazed as he hits a forearm smash for two. Riddle pounds away then repeatedly stomps the head and that gets the win and the title (10:44) ***1/4. The announcers let us know that Riddle is the first American Atlas Champion.

Thoughts: Good match, although it was another anticlimactic finish. Riddle as the surprise opponent got a great reaction and he is one of the biggest stars today as he is expanding his work to overseas. Riddle is also defending this title in America and even put it on the line against Michael Elgin at Elgin’s Glory Pro Wrestling Show. Riddle also bring the belt with him to the ring while in EVOLVE.

Final Thoughts: Overall, this was a fun show. Wrestling wise, nothing blew me away but the show was fun and the promotion does a great job in getting the crowd involved. Smallman comes out before each match and banters with them before introducing the wrestlers. For a novice of PROGRESS, I thought the commentary team did a fine job. They were quite good at calling the match and provided some back story too. Speaking of the crowd, it almost reminded me of a PWG crowd with how happy they were to be there and engaging in everything.

I’d check out PROGRESS if you have not already. You can view this show and others On Demand for $7.49 a month.

Here is my schedule for the next several days:

Thursday: RF Video Shoot Interview with Charles Wright (The Godfather)

Friday: WWF SummerSlam 8/28/89

Sunday: Mid-South Wrestling 6/24/82

Sunday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/2/89

Monday: WWF Wrestling Challenge 9/3/89

Tuesday: WWF Superstars of Wrestling 9/9/89

Wednesday: TBD (If PWG Mystery Vortex IV comes in the mail on time that will be it. If not, likely EVOLVE 78)