Euro Fury: Progress Chapter 37: A Sudden Sense of Liberty

Progress Chapter 37: A Sudden Sense of Liberty

October 10 2016

We’re in Manchester at the O2 Ritz. Host in the ring is Jim Smallman. This is Progress’ first show since the historic, record-setting crowd in Brixton. Shane Strickland is missing from tonight’s show due to transportation issues. He was scheduled in a four-way but will not be here. Hosts on commentary are Glen Joseph and Callum Leslie.

Chuck Mambo vs. Bubblegum

Mambo is starting to slide onto the Chapter shows, having made an appearance at Brixton, albeit being squashed by Paul Robinson. Bubblegum appears on most of the Manchester shows but seems to be allergic to the south as he’s never in London. Bubblegum is really nice to Chuck here, showing ass and allowing his junior opponent to get over on him at every turn. Bubblegum also does fine work in manipulating the crowd, acting like a knob to draw heat and making it easy for Mambo to just focus on his in-ring. It covers for Mambo still being inexperienced and building a repertoire. Bubblegum wipes his arse with some wrist tape before shoving it in Mambo’s face and finishing with the Pedigree, which he calls the Ice Cream Headache. This was an ok start to the show. Low key stuff.

Final Rating: **1/4

Kay Lee Ray vs. Kimber Lee

I really don’t care for KLR’s entrance music, which is just a series of rhythmic thuds. Both these ladies are making their Progress debuts. KLR is Scottish and a regular for ICW and is arguably their best female talent. Kimber is American, known mostly for her work in Chikara. Both are likely to help the burgeoning Progress women’s division as it approaches tournament form. There’s an early near falls contest, which KLR specialises in and then they do the dives and KLR’s is far better there too. Then it’s chops and they’re definitely having a KLR match. That’s not a bad thing. Kimber is really tidy, she can be messy, and her German suplexes are particularly good. Kimber goes down with a bad neck, KLR gets her in a Guillotine and gets the instant submission to a fairly negative reaction. Looks like KLR will be working heel in Progress. This was very solid and a good introduction to both ladies for those who are not familiar.

Final Rating: ***1/4

James Drake vs. Fabian Aichner

Two more debuts! This is a brand new Progress line up. Drake is one of the All-Star regulars but he worked on a recent ENDVR show too. That was probably a try-out, based on his appearance here. Aichner worked in the Crusierweight Classic and looked fantastic against Jack Gallagher. He’s worked the European scene for a while but that CWC appearance has boosted his reputation no end. Aichner looks phenomenal here, showing the kind of technical excellence that drew WWE to look at him in the first place. He’s so fast and smooth too. Progress, and other promotions, should push him hard now before he takes off globally. His ridiculous vertical leap onto the top rope freaks people out. Plus he’s a powerhouse. He’s one of these new age hybrid talents. It’s not just wrestling that’s evolving, it’s mankind as a whole. Aichner is the future of humanity. Powerful but mobile. Drake makes the strategic error of wearing his own face on the buttocks of his trunks, drawing various “arse face” abuse from Manchester. You brought that on yourself, sir. Aichner impresses throughout with his mixture of power and athleticism. It’s so rare to get a power wrestler who flies so much. Plus his ring positioning is great. He’s so, so good. The crowd fall in love instantly. Drake actually wins the match but Aichner stood out.

Final Rating: ***1/2

Progress Championship #1 Contender’s Match

Pete Dunne vs. Trent Seven vs. Joe Coffey vs. Marty Scurll

Dunne and Seven should have a major advantage as they’re a tag team and could team up to eliminate the other two. Coffey is the sole babyface so he’s up against it. Personally, I want Seven vs. Haskins because it’s a great match. Plus Haskins needs to rack up some good title defences where he’s not likely to lose. Trent’s pre-match promo mocking Shane Strickland for just doing flips, complete with ejaculating motion, and not being strong style is excellent. Trent is replacing Strickland in this match. Trent attempts to lie down for Pete to get the title shot, which is an interesting wrinkle as Seven is willing to allow Dunne the title match. Seven vs. Coffey is a strong style battering and should be a solid singles match too. British Strong Style teaming up allows both Coffey and Scurll to work like underdog babyfaces. It’s a weird dynamic with Scurll, who’s definitely a heel. I like that British Strong Style stay on the same page for the whole match. They’ve just started out as a team so need to be kept together, especially as champions. There’s a lot of hand-biting in the four-way spots but Marty includes his finger-snap in the process. Scurll also makes me chuckle but being unable to get the timing on a giant swing, superkick double team with Coffey. It’s a babyface spot from Marty, or at least one designed for comical effect. They maintain a frantic pace and everyone gets their personalities across. Coffey ends up getting caught in the Chickenwing and Scurll gets the submission to get himself a title rematch. This was a lot of fun.

Final Rating: ***3/4

Post Match: Marty runs the fans down and points out he’s the only two-time Progress champion and the man who made the Progress belt a world title. He errs by calling himself the greatest Progress champion of all time. “I Hope You Suffer” kicks in and Jimmy Havoc decks Scurll a second time with the Acid Rainmaker! Havoc hasn’t wrestled since February, when he tore his ACL and MCL in Australia. He must be due to return soon.

Before the second half kicks off Jim gets the crowd to sing the chorus of Weezer’s “Buddy Holly” to Glen Joseph, currently playing Buddy Holly on stage.

Tag Team Championship #1 Contender’s Match

The Origin (El Ligero & Dave Mastiff) vs. South Pacific Power Trip vs. FSU

Mastiff almost breaks everyone in the building by showing up wearing a cape and a hat with two cans of Fosters in it, dubbed the “Banter Crown”. It’s the strongest sign yet that the Origin might turn face just because they’re so much fun. At least this pair. Mastiff is the Archbishop of Banterbury. Jim Smallman is finding it hard to contain his joy at doing Dave’s “ask your Mum, he’s probably your Dad” introduction. FSU are the only babyfaces in the match and SPPT have Dahlia Black out here for additional assistance. Mastiff offers Australian beer to SPPT, who are from New Zealand and take offence but Eddie Dennis gets very upset with them for spilling beer. I love the psychology of all that! The banter continues unabated with the Origin using foam fingers to chop Andrews. Ligero is hilarious throughout the match, using his holiday camp stuff but changing it just enough to suit the Progress crowd. Mastiff controls the match with his superior size and power until the contest breaks down. This is highlighted by TK Cooper accidentally kicking Dahlia in the face. Dahlia is always game for taking accidental spots and adding to the quality of a match. Travis Banks picks up the surprise win with a ridiculous release airplane spin on Mark Andrews. Travis has been outstanding of late so this is a deserving spot for them, especially after SPPT got left off the Brixton card, and I’m glad they’re getting a shot. Although with them being definite heels British Strong Style might even get cheered in that title match!

Final Rating: ***1/2

Progress Atlas Championship

Rampage Brown (c) vs. Mikey Whiplash

Rampage has a standing ‘open challenge’ contract for the title. Naturally they start off a little small with Mikey, who’s been disappointing in Progress to date. Especially the Tommy End feud, which went wrong. Speaking of Tommy, Whiplash is doing Tommy cosplay here, although the crowd are more concerned that he’s missing his fishnets. Whiplash tries a lot of different stuff, including a scary looking dive through the ropes. The problem with Whiplash doing End is that he can’t do half of his spots to anywhere near the same degree. The match plods along with some nice big spots, including a second dive from Whiplash, this one planting his back onto the floor. Whiplash is as carefree as he is daring. He’s going to hurt himself if he carries on like this. Rampage powers Mikey up into a sick piledriver for the win. Having championed the big lads the matches don’t seem to be delivering, which is weird because I was excited for the concept and it’s not clicking for me. This match had moments but nothing more.

Final Rating: **1/2

Progress World Championship

Mark Haskins (c) vs. Zack Gibson

Gibson has unreal heat at the moment so there’s a case to be made for ‘striking while the iron is hot’ and putting him over for the title. The other school of thought is that Haskins deserved this opportunity and should be allowed to run with it for a long time. The Brixton toilet paper gimmick continues in force here with bog roll raining down on Gibson before he’s even introduced. Haskins lobs one at him too, showing he has a keen sense of humour despite his serious demeanour. Both these chaps are strong technicians. Haskins also has that extra speed, which gives him the edge. Haskins takes Gibson apart by destroying his leg and it’s a very strong showing from the champion. Gibson retorts by working the arm, to set up the Shankly Gates. A lot of this ‘set up’ work feels a little drawn out although it’s sound logical stuff. It’s a bit worrying that Haskins almost wrestles heel, as if Progress figure him being champion might turn him anyway so might as well jump the gun. It’s an old ROH trait where whoever was champion seemed to turn heel due to their success. Gibson is treated with a degree of sympathy even. The crowd reaction becomes very mixed, which is not what I expected at all. Haskins gets some of his fantastic transitions in, including turning the Ticket to Ride into an anklelock. Gibson gets a run of moves together that puts him on the precipice of victory, including a sensational jumping Tombstone. Gibson does fine work in countering Haskins’ trademark stuff and does so to get the Shankly Gates, thus culminating all his arm work. Haskins gets out and hooks the torque Sharpshooter for the submission. I’m not sure the match did anything for Haskins as champion, other than retaining successfully, as Gibson got a lot of sympathy for a heel. Match was technically very good though, which is enough for me.

Final Rating: ****