Progress Wrestling#Series I
{{short description|British professional wrestling promotion}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2015}}
{{Infobox wrestling promotion
|name = Progress Wrestling
|image = ProgressWrestlingLogo.jpg
|caption = Progress Wrestling's logo
|acronym = Progress
|established = 2011
|folded =
|style = Professional wrestling
Sports entertainment
|owner = Lee McAteer
Martyn Best
|founder = Jim Smallman
Jon Briley
|parent =
|sister =
|formerly =
|merged = DEFY Wrestling
|split =
|predecessor =
|successor =
|website = [http://www.progresswrestling.com ProgressWrestling.com]
|image_size=280px}}
Progress Wrestling (stylized as PROGRESS) is a British professional wrestling promotion that was established in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman, events and comedy promoter Jon Briley, and later, actor Glen Robinson (professionally known as Glen Joseph). The company is now co-owned by Lee McAteer, Martyn Best, and Matthew Buczek.
History
Progress was conceived by Jim Smallman and Jon Briley in 2011, who were both wrestling fans. Smallman is a fan of "strong style" wrestling, Japanese in particular, and Briley was Smallman's agent.{{cite news|last=Rehal|first=Sumit|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/progress-wrestling--if-we-didnt-have-such-talented-guys-in-britain-then-the-promotion-wouldnt-be-doing-as-well-as-it-is-says-cofounder-jim-smallman-9436076.html|title=Progress Wrestling – 'If we didn't have such talented guys in Britain, then the promotion wouldn't be doing as well as it is,' says co-founder Jim Smallman|date=26 May 2014|access-date=14 August 2014|work=The Independent|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140531014103/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/wwe-mma-wrestling/progress-wrestling--if-we-didnt-have-such-talented-guys-in-britain-then-the-promotion-wouldnt-be-doing-as-well-as-it-is-says-cofounder-jim-smallman-9436076.html|archive-date=31 May 2014|df=dmy-all}}
In 2015, Progress appeared for five nights at Download Festival.{{cite web |url=http://downloadfestival.co.uk/news/progress-wrestling-set-wreak-havoc-download-2015 |title=Progress Wrestling set to wreak 'havoc' at Download 2015 | Download Festival 2015 |access-date=2015-04-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402105133/http://downloadfestival.co.uk/news/progress-wrestling-set-wreak-havoc-download-2015 |archive-date=2 April 2015 |df=dmy-all }} In December of that year, they began running regular shows at The Ritz in Manchester.{{cite web |url=http://www.progresswrestling.com/chapter24news/ |title=MASSIVE Announcement Regarding Chapter 24 in December… on Sale Tonight! ‹ This. Is. Progress. |access-date=2015-07-01 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701190248/http://www.progresswrestling.com/chapter24news/ |archive-date=1 July 2015 |df=dmy-all }} On 30 September 2018, Progress Wrestling held "Hello Wembley" at the Wembley Arena. Billed by the promotion as the largest independent wrestling show in England for 30 years, the event drew 4,750 people; making it the most attended event in Progress Wrestling history.{{cite web |url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/progress-wrestling-attendance-record| title=Progress wrestling attendance record|website=411mania.com}}
In 2016, the company began working relationships with other promotions. At Chapter 29 on 24 April in London, Progress hosted two qualifying matches for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.{{cite web|title=Another Indie Promotion To Host WWE Global Cruiserweight Series Qualifying Matches|date=27 March 2016 |url=http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0327/609031/another-indie-promotion-to-host-wwe-global-cruiserweight-series/|access-date=2016-03-28|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160331030111/http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2016/0327/609031/another-indie-promotion-to-host-wwe-global-cruiserweight-series/|archive-date=31 March 2016|df=dmy-all}} In 2017, Progress wrestlers such as Pete Dunne, Tyler Bate, Trent Seven, and Mark Andrews participated in the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, culminating in Bate being crowned the first ever WWE UK Champion.{{fact|date=December 2021}}
Smallman left Progress at the end of 2019 after Chapter 100. In June 2020, Progress reacted to reports of sexual harassment in the British independent circuit. After several accusations had been circulating of behaviour at other wrestling promotions, Progress decided to no longer work with David Starr, Travis Banks, and El Ligero, as well as suspending indefinitely then- Tag team Champions Jordan Devlin and Scotty Davis, who vacated the titles.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/progress-updates-list-of-talent-departures-no-longer-working-with-travis-banks-and-ligero/|title = 411Mania}} Ring announcer and creative team member Matt Richards also left the promotion.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/progress-ring-announcer-and-creative-matt-richards-leaves-company/|title = 411Mania}} On 21 June 2020, it was announced that Glen Joseph was stepping down with Michael Oku, Vicky Haskins and James Amner all taking prominent roles in the company.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/ThisIs_Progress/status/1274809335240105985|title=When it comes to PROGRESS, huge change is needed and huge change has begun: Glen Robinson and Matt Richards are stepping away. @VickyHaskins is involved, @lucefromsocials is involved, @jamesamner is involved & I am involved. More on this tomorrow - Michael Oku|website=Twitter}} By the time the company returned to running shows, only James Amner would remain involved, and Amner played a key part in the future ownership of the company.
In 2021, Progress announced its return amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, travelling to South London to set up a temporary home at Theatre Peckham for Chapter 104: Natural Progression on 20 February, eventually producing 23 shows behind closed doors which featured on the WWE Network. On 31 December that year, ahead of their return to live shows in January 2022, it was announced that Progress had been acquired by Lee McAteer and Martyn Best - taking over ownership from Briley.
On 9 February 2024, it was announced that PROGRESS Wrestling would merge with DEFY Wrestling, an independent promotion based in Seattle, Washington in the United States. It was created to bring a "global presence" to both brands and aid further expansion plans.{{cite news |last=Currier |first=Joseph |date=9 February 2024 |title=PROGRESS & Defy Wrestling announce merger |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/indies/progress-defy-wrestling-announce-merger |work=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |location= |access-date=}}
Demand Progress Plus
Demand Progress Plus is Progress' video-on-demand service that launched in 2023, replacing the previous service on Pivotshare.{{cite web|title=Progress Wrestling Launch Their On Demand Service|url=https://wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/progress-wrestling-launch-their-on-demand-service/|website=WrestleRopes UK|date=22 March 2015|access-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815070944/https://wrestleropesuk.wordpress.com/2015/03/22/progress-wrestling-launch-their-on-demand-service/|archive-date=15 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}
January 2017 had seen the first episode of Freedom's Road, a new series from Progress which would feature matches taped specifically for the show and have a heavy focus on characters and plots.{{cite web|last1=Perry|first1=Ian|title=Progress Wrestling: Freedom's Road Debut Episode TV Report|url=http://www.pwinsider.com/article/107349/progress-wrestling-freedoms-road-debut-episode-tv-report.html?p=1|website=PWInsider|access-date=14 August 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815070500/http://www.pwinsider.com/article/107349/progress-wrestling-freedoms-road-debut-episode-tv-report.html?p=1|archive-date=15 August 2017|df=dmy-all}}
Championships
As of {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTDAY}}, {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
=Current champions=
=Progress Proteus Championship=
{{Infobox pro wrestling championship
|name = Progress Proteus Championship{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4353|title=Progress Proteus Championship|first=Philip|last=Kreikenbohm|publisher=Cagematch - The Internet Wrestling Database|access-date=23 May 2021}}
|image =
|caption =
|created = 21 July 2019
|retired =
|promotion =
|firstchamp = Paul Robinson
|currentholder = Paul Walter Hauser
|won = 17 April 2024
|mostreigns =
|longestreign =
|shortestreign =
|oldest =
|heaviest =
|lightest =
|pastnames =
}}
The Progress Proteus Championship is a professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the British professional wrestling promotion Progress Wrestling. The title was named after the shapechanging Greek god, Proteus. Progress co-founder Jim Smallman said in the announcement that the champion will be able to pick the stipulation for the championship matches, subject to approval by the promotion.{{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/progress-wrestling-announces-new-proteus-championship/|title=411MANIA|website=PROGRESS Wrestling Announces New Proteus Championship}} It was announced on 21 July 2019 that the old Progress Atlas Championship which was unified with the Progress World Championship will be replaced. The Atlas title was later revived.
==Reigns==
{{Professional wrestling title history top|active=no|defenses=yes}}
{{PWtitlereign
|number = 1
|champion = Paul Robinson
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|15 September 2019}}
|days = {{age in days|15 September 2019|27 October 2024}}
|location = Haringey, London
|event = Chapter 95: Still Chasing
|defenses = 9
|notes = This was a 30-person rumble match. Paul Robinson lastly eliminated Danny Duggan to become the inaugural champion. Robinson's selected stipulation was that he could only lose the title by being knocked out or by tapping out. Between 2021 and 2024, the title was inactive until Robinson returned to the promotion and defended it at Progress Chapter 167: One Bump Or Two? on April 21, 2024 against Homicide, declaring the reign as uninterrupted {{cite web|url=https://411mania.com/wrestling/progress-chapter-167-results-4-21-24/|title=PROGRESS Chapter 167 Results 4.21.24: Tag Team Title On The Line|work=411mania.com|publisher=411Mania|date=April 22, 2024|access-date=May 29, 2024}}
}}{{PWtitlereign
|number = 2
|champion = Simon Miller
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|27 October 2024}}
|days = {{age in days|27 October 2024|17 April 2025}}
|location = Camden Town, London
|event = Chapter 172: Werewolves Of London
|defenses = 7
|notes = Simon's announced stipulation is that all stipulations for his defenses will be decided by fan poll via social media or live events.
|ref = {{cite web|url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/10/31/progress-wrestling-chapter-172-freedom-walks-again-results-vetters-review-of-rhio-vs-lizzy-evo-for-the-progress-womens-title-kenta-vs-cara-noir-for-the-defy-title-subculture-vs-eddie-d/|title=Progress Wrestling "Chapter 172 – Freedom Walks Again" results: Vetter's review of Rhio vs. Lizzy Evo for the Progress Women's Title, Kenta vs. Cara Noir for the Defy Title, Subculture vs. Eddie Dennis and Tate Mayfairs|first=Chris|last=Vetter|work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net|date=October 31, 2024}}
}}{{PWtitlereign
|number = 3
|champion = Paul Walter Hauser
|reign = 1
|date = {{dts|17 April 2025}}
|days = {{age in days|17 April 2025}}+
|location = Paradise, Nevada
|event = Chapter 179: Progress Las Vegas
|defenses = 0
|notes = This was a Five-way scramble match, also involving Effy, Adam Priest and Charles Crowley.
|ref =
}}{{BundleEnd}}
Reception
Patrick Lennon, wrestling journalist for the Daily Star, has attended and reviewed Progress shows.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/in-the-ring/317513/Every-Saint-Has-A-Past-Every-Sinner-Has-A-Fut-ure-show-is-a-winner|title=Every Saint Has A Past, Every Sinner Has A Future show is a winner|publisher=Daily Star|access-date=2013-12-08}}
Carrie Dunn, founder and main contributor of wrestling blog "The Only Way is Suplex",{{cite web|url=http://theonlywayissuplex.wordpress.com/|title=The Only Way Is Suplex|publisher=Carrie Dunn|access-date=2013-12-08|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220131519/http://theonlywayissuplex.wordpress.com/|archive-date=20 December 2013|df=dmy-all}} published the book Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling.{{cite book|title="Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling" Amazon listing|id={{ASIN|1909178462|country=uk}}}} Progress Wrestling features frequently in the book including opening a chapter regarding London based wrestling promotions.{{cite book|last=Dunn|first=Carrie|title=Spandex, Screw Jobs & Cheap Pops: Inside the Business of British Pro Wrestling|publisher=Pitch|year=2013|pages=174–176|chapter=Chapter 11: In the spotlight - London calling|isbn=978-1-909178-46-5}}
See also
- List of major Progress Wrestling events
- List of Progress Wrestling tournaments
- NXT UK - Brand of the U.S-based WWE from which several Progress talent have competed for.
References
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.progresswrestling.com/}}
- [https://www.cagematch.net/?id=8&nr=903 Progress Wrestling (Progress)] at Cagematch.net
{{Progress Wrestling}}
{{List of major Progress Wrestling events}}
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Category:2011 establishments in the United Kingdom