Progress Wrestling Chapter 177: My Own Destiny

Live from Manchester, England

Start with:

Some guy, Jerry in the ring, is talking and going on… trying to get the crowd into the show. I thought this was boring and unnecessary but the English crowd seems to enjoy it.  It seemed like it was just something to kill time instead of getting to the matches. He did comment on not getting a cease from that large American company. That was funny. But this guy was very boring and made me want to turn off the show. As an American, I guess that is how English wrestling starts their shows but it was not for me.

Things I didn’t like, the videos between each match were a little boring.

After about 15 minutes of Jerry rambling, we get a promo video about the first match.

Sunshine Machine vs Sanity

Sanity jumps into the ring and goes after the Sunshine Machine. Starting with chaos is always a good thing. Finally, the bell rings and we get some order restored in the ring. Sunshine Machine is outsized and is taking a beating by Sanity. Sunshine Machine mounting some offense, but it's stopped by Sanity who looks to be the powerhouse team in this match. Sunshine’s Cooper with a nice 450 splash and they get a 2 count. Axel does a double German Supplex on Sunshine Machine, which looked good. Nice double headbutts by Sunshine Machine. Sunshine Machine gets the win with a roll-up on Damo. The match was very good and showcased how teamwork helps the underdog in size team get the win. It does not look like this feud is over as Sunshine Machine goes for the handshake and Sanity flips them off. I liked this match.

Kid Lykos vs Nico Angelo

Kid Lykos gets jumped by Nico who sends Lykos into the ring post. Ref announces that Kid Lykos can’t continue so we get an impromptu match with Kid Lykos II. Lykos II with a great dropkick on Nico. Nico looks to take out Lykos II as he stalks him in the ring. The crowd is not a fan of Nico by their chant of fuck you, Nico. Lykos II with a roll-up for only a 2 count. Lykos II with some offense into a nice tornado DDT on Nico. Nico looking for the win after that driver but only gets a 2 count. Lykos with a code red for a 2 count, then hits the Spanish fly but Nico rolls out of the ring to avoid the pin. Lykos II mounting some decent offense, but Nico outside of the ring launches Lykos II into Kid Lykos who just had gotten back to his feet. We get interference by Kid Lykos and the match ends in DQ. Impressed with Nico Angelo. Kid Lykos calls out Nico for an I Quit Match at the next show on March 30th. I am looking forward to that after watching Nico. This I Quit Match will be under Bloodsport rules?? Take my money for that match.

Mothdog’s #1 Nephew Will Krod  vs. Simon Miller

Miller is the champion and gets to decide the rules. Can only pin opponent after performing a top rope maneuver. Miller reminds me of a smaller Ryback from WWE. Spear from Miller taking down Will and Simon goes to top rope for a splash and gets a 2 count. Nice boot by Will to Miller. Will gives Miller a nice slam in the middle of the ring. Will goes outside to the apron and climbs to the top rope but Miller rolls out of harm's way. German Supplex by Will stuns Miller. Miller Super-Supplex Will off the rope.  We get interference as Miller goes to the top. Will gets Miller up and Will goes to the top but misses as Miller moves out of the way. Miller with a jackhammer and to the top with a splash and gets the win over Will Crews. I was impressed by Simon Miller; We got a clothesline by G-Munny after the match. G-Munny is quite funny on the mic.  #1 Nephew is saying no to G-Munny then does a splash on Miller. G-money says he likes pissing on others' territories and pulls his pants down and acts like he taking a piss… wow. Very interesting.

Myles Kayman vs Man Like Dereiss

Debut for Myles Kayman according to commentary. The crowd pops for Deriess, who has a great presentation and entrance. Commentary mentions that Deriess has been endorsed by TNA’s Joe Hendry…could Dereiss be heading to TNA full-time??? The crowd begins chanting TNA as Deriess on the mic. Kayman pushes Dereiss before the bell rings, trying to get into Dereiss’ head. The match starts at a fast pace, which showcases both their speeds in the ring. That nice power slam by Kayman, who reminds me of a very young Gabe Kidd with his moves and if he was taller he would look like a young Randy Orton with that physique. Kayman looks like he has the upper hand on Deriess, but the crowd is trying to get Deriess back into the match. Nice Supplex by Deriess on Kayman. Kayman gets a very close pin but the ref says 2, as Kayman begins to argue with the ref allowing Deriess time to recover. Deriess to the top rope for 450 and gets the pin. Was very impressed by both men in this match and would not mind seeing them go at it again.

Tate Mayfairs vs Luke Jacobs (Progress World Heavyweight Champion)

Mayfairs comes out with Eddie Dennis in his corner. Commentary announces that this is a no-DQ match as requested by Luke Jacobs. Mayfairs has the charisma that reminds me of Will Ospreay. The crowd chanted let's go Mayfairs, fuck you, Jacobs. Bell rings and they go at it as Mayfairs goes after Jacobs. They are fighting outside of the ring on the floor. Jacobs pulls out the trash can lid and hits Mayfairs in the face. Then a brainbuster onto the chairs. Jacobs moves the stairs from the stage to the ring and bounces Mayfairs' head off them. Flapjack right onto the stairs by Mayfairs mounts some momentum.  Mayfairs looks to wrestle this match nobly but might have to dig down deep and become evil if he wants to win this match. Jacobs sends Mayfair into the chair with a side Supplex. Mayfairs selling in the ring has been outstanding. Jacobs throws different items into the ring. A chair is being set up in the corner but seems to have problems with the chair staying in the corner. Jacobs takes off the middle turnbuckle to expose it and still tries to make the chair stay in the corner. Give up dude, it’s not working finally grabs the trashcan and hits Mayfairs in the head with it. We get a ladder into the ring. What is Jacobs going to do with it he throws it at Mayfairs but misses. Mayfair sends Jacobs into the ladder in the corner, giving Mayfair some offense, but Jacobs comes back. Mayfairs sends Jacobs into the exposed turnbuckle which gives Mayfairs time to go find every wrestling fan's favorite…. The table….Jacobs with a kendo stick onto Mayfairs and he kisses the table he was setting up in the corner. Nice Supplex by Jacobs onto the ladder, looks like Mayfairs may be out… no, he kicks out at 2. Jacobs pulls out a stapler…. Low blow to Mayfairs as Jacobs put some staples into Mayfairs back and chest. We see the famous black bag in wrestling…… thumbtacks being poured in the in the ring, or as they say in England, drawing pins. Jacobs goes under the commentary table and pulls out a sledgehammer… Mayfair with a low blow then slingshot into the very bad table. then a backdrop on Jacobs into the thumbtacks…. Mayfairs gets 2 counts, then Mayfairs with a chair, I said he needs to go to that evil side. Hits Jacobs with a chair in the head another 2 count. Jacobs with a DDT on the chair, then a powerbomb on the tacks as Mayfairs kicks out at 2. WTF… Jacobs with Northern Light Lariat and Mayfairs kicks out at 1, then another one but kicks out at 2 this time. Crowd chanting you can’t beat him at Jacobs. Mayfairs gets a 2 count after hitting Jacobs with a chair. Mayfairs sets up a table in the rings and then unfolds the ladder as Jacobs is on the table. Mayfairs on the ladder, going to do an elbow drop off the ladder through the table gets only a 2 count. Eddie Dennis pulls out brass knuckles and tells Mayfairs to use them, Jacobs hits Dennis, then a low blow to Mayfair. Jacobs uses the brass knuckles and knocks out Mayfairs to retain his championship. Back in the ring, we have Mayfairs and Eddie Dennis, Mayfairs spits on Dennis and then Mayfairs does a low blow on Eddie.. as Mayfairs feels that Eddie cost him the match. Crowd chants Eddie screwed Tate after Tate tells Eddie to stay away from him. Match was very good, but thought it went a little too long for my taste.

Eddie launches Tate out of the curtain back into the ring as Eddie does a driver in the middle of the ring to Tate Mayfairs. Eddie says he might use the brass knuckles. Tate lays out the challenge… Last Man Standing Match.. teacher vs student… hmmmmm

Nina Samuels (Progress Women’s World Champion), Samuels is the female belt collector joins the commentary table.

Fatal 4 Way for the #1 Contenders Match

Rayne Leverkusen  vs Lana Austin vs Sessions Moth Martina vs Alexxis Falcon

Chaos. We have Alexxis and Lana in the ring alone as the other competitors are outside of the ring. Lana with a nice stunner on Alexxis. Martina and Lana teaming up on Rayne for the moment. Lana tries to steal a win as she rolls up Martina. #1 Nephew sends Lana into the ring post. Martina and Rayne are in the ring as the other two have fought outside of the ring into the back. Rayne locks in storm's end as Martina’s taps out. I am not a fan of women’s wrestling in general, so for this match to keep my attention it is doing quite well. I see potential in all these ladies.

Nina hits Rayne with the belt and says she gets her match right now and Nina puts Rayne in the ring and hits her with a knee. We get an impromptu match; Nina hits star-struck and retains her title..

Aigle Blanc/Kuro vs Smoking Aces (Progress Tag Team Champions)

The match started hot. We get a blind tag by the Smoking Aces as Blanc does not realize who the legal man is. Nice moves by Kuro on Smoking Aces. Kuro goes flying taking out the Smoking Aces. Sterling drags Blanc to the corner and puts the boots on him. Aces have Blanc in an abdominal stretch. Blanc has a roll-up on one of the Aces, but the ref is distracted by the other member of the Aces. Blanc with a double dragon screw, that was an impressive move. Kuro gets the tag and begins taking out the Aces. Kuro with a falcon arrow for a 2 count. The moves in this match have been outstanding and better than anything I have seen in American wrestling. Sterling with a cutter that was nicely done. All 4 men are down in the ring, this is how tag team wrestling should be displayed in the ring. Blanc and Kuro on the apron and they piledrive the Aces. The ref gets pulled out of the ring as Blanc was going for the pin and would have won the titles. Blanc gets pinned by the Aces who retain their titles by cheating. Sterling asks for a mic and pushes the ring announcer down; Sunshine Machine comes out on stage.  We are going to get a face-off between Smoking Aces and the Sunshine Machine. We are getting a match between these two. I am looking forward to that in March.

Rhio vs Meiko Satomura

The crowd showed their appreciation to Satomura. We get a handshake between the two. The crowd is split between the two chanting their names. Nice lock-up in a test of strength. Meiko with a shot to Rhio that sends her back. Rhio with an elbow as they are backed into the ropes. Nice takedown by Meiko, who is giving up height to Rhio. This match has been slow and methodical. Meiko has the STF locked in on Rhio. Meiko throws strikes at Rhio, who hits a lariat. Rhio hits a backstabber for a 2 count. Death Valley bomb by Meiko gets a 2 count. Then a scorpion rises into another Death Valley bomb, and Meiko finally gets the pin. This match was very good for a women’s match. Nina Samuels interrupts and comes out and hugs Meiko then attacks Rhio, as Meiko shakes her head no, and then attacks Nina.  Meiko is handed a mic and says Progress needs less Nina….she is not wrong? Meiko addresses Rhio and says thank you and get your championship back. Great way to put over a younger talent and Great for Rhio for putting over the legend that is Meiko Satomura. The performers of Progress come down to show respect to Meiko.

Send off was excellent by showing respect to Meiko as the show ended.

It seems that Chapter 178 is looking to be a show that cannot be missed.

Sunday, March 30th from the Electric Ballroom in Camden, England; wrestling fans are getting the following:

Lykos Gym vs Nico and Mills in a No Ropes I Quit Match. Take my money for this match. I enjoyed the in-ring psychology that Nico displayed in Chapter 177.

A Progress Proteus Title Match between Simon Miller and Gene Munny. I was very impressed by Miller's in-ring style and enjoyed the humor that Gene Munny brings to the show.

In a Last Man Standing Match, we will see former friends, Eddie Dennis vs Tate Mayfairs. Mayfairs was trained by Dennis so it will be student against teacher. These types of matches are usually great as both opponents know each other well.

A Progress Tag Team Titles Match we will see the champions Smokin' Aces vs Sunshine Machine. I enjoyed both teams in their matches at Chapter 177, so I will be fine with whoever comes out on top.

With only these four matches, I say take my money as I will be checking this show out. I was very impressed with Progress Wrestling and now have an interest in the English wrestling scene, which I might say is much better than what I get across the pond in America.