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Banned
On the 24th and 25th of May, PROGRESS in London will be running their first weekend long tournament, CHAPTER NINETEEN: SUPER STRONG STYLE 16 TOURNAMENT EDITION 2015, with the winner getting a title shot against PROGRESS champion and resident cunt, Jimmy Havoc.
As well as the 16 man tournament, Night One features the return to PROGRESS of the London Riots, as they take on Havoc, their former leader in Regression, and Paul Robinson. Night Two features the first ever women's match on a main PROGRESS show, as Pollyanna will take on Jinny for the last time in a No DQ match.
The tournament features not only the best of Britain from inside and outside PROGRESS, it also features some of the best talent worldwide. Here's a rundown of the entrants in the tournament, and for the regulars, what they've been up to lately in PROGRESS:
1. Roderick Strong
PROGRESS debut. The current PWG champion, a good showing against Strong would raise the worldwide prospects of anyone in the tournament.
2. Will Ospreay
Still out for justice after Jimmy Havoc turned his tag partner Paul Robinson against him, then tried to cut his ear off. In his last 3 attempts at Havoc, Havoc first avoided the pinfall to keep his title, then beat Will one on one, biting at his ear and ripping the ring apart to keep up the fear campaign. At Chapter 18, Will outlasted 4 other men in the 6 way elimination main event, but failed to hit his 630 finisher, and Havoc literally curbstomped him for the win. With his profile recently raised by going toe to toe with IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for RPW, Ospreay returns to PROGRESS to deal with Havoc once and for all.
3. Zack Gibson
Zack Gibson was the runner up of the second Natural Progression series, PROGRESS's tournament for new stars, who's winner gets a PROGRESS title shot. Gibson came up short against Flash Morgan Webster, however making it to the finals of a tournament that has brought Will Ospreay, Paul Robinson, and (now TNA's) Mark Andrews to PROGRESS is no small feat. Gibson followed up on this by beating Big Damo at Chapter 18, albeit with a fork. Gibson will be looking to take the title shot he missed out on previously.
4. Marty Scurll
Part of PROGRESS since Chapter 1, Marty Scurll has been in the title hunt since then, but come up short against Nathan Cruz and Jimmy Havoc twice during their reigns. No longer "Party" Marty, Scurll now prefers to be known as "The Villain", and will likely use these tactics (and his umbrella) to try and claw his way to the title.
5. Tomasso Ciampa
PROGRESS debut. Having recently departed ROH, Ciampa is eager to make his name outside of the company, and with a PROGRESS appearance apparently having already been on his 2015 goals list, he'll be looking to win the tournament for a return trip at Chapter 20.
6. Dave Mastiff
Big beardy fucker who hits people really hard. Having almost beaten Havoc in a 3-way, Mastiff snapped after being eliminated by Noam Dar at Chapter 18, crushing Dar and then watching as Havoc eliminated him. Presumably Mastiff is now out for himself rather than under Havoc's thumb, will a more ruthless attitude earn him a championship match?
7. Eddie Dennis
Dennis has spent most of his PROGRESS career in the Tag scene, becoming the first Tag Champions with longtime friend Mark Andrews, and then beating the at the time undefeated London Riots at Chapter 14. Andrews and Dennis lost the titles after being jumped by the unknown group The Faceless. Dennis failed to regain the titles in the rematch with new partner Wild Boar Mike Hitchman at Chapter 18. After beating Mason Ryan at ENDVR 10, Dennis announced he was refocusing on the PROGRESS Title, and old foe, former Riots stablemate, and man who stole the Title from his friend Mark Andrews, Jimmy Havoc.
8. Jack Gallagher
PROGRESS debut. Having made a name for himself as a formidable mat technician, primarily in ICW, and after many fan suggestions/demands, Gallagher debuts in PROGRESS with an immediate opportunity to get a more permanent spot.
9. Tommy End
End recently returned after a few months absence from PROGRESS, and swiftly became the current Number 1 Contenders to the PROGRESS Tag Shields by bringing in his Sumerian Death Squad partner, Michael Dante, at Chapter 18. Having recently made a hell of a name for himself in PWG and Evolve over Wrestlemania weekend, the Dutchman looks to also become the Number 1 Contender for the PROGRESS Championship.
10. El Ligero
A former PROGRESS champion, El Ligero is one of the most solidly booked wrestlers in the UK. In PROGRESS however, Ligero has been mostly absent or on the losing end of his matches in 2014/15. A single win against Michael Gilbert (Mikey Whiplash) with a barbed wire assisted crossface at Chapter 16 put paid to months of taunting from Gilbert, who hasn't been seen in PROGRESS since. Ligero will be looking to get back to winning ways, and get a shot against Havoc for the title he once held.
11. Rampage Brown
A former PROGRESS champion, Rampage Brown also almost beaten Havoc in the same 3-way as Mastiff. Rampage also put in a great performance at Chapter 14 against Samoa Joe. Recently Rampage has been sidetracked dealing with his former Screw Indy Wrestling partners Sha Samuels and particularly Mark Haskins, defeating Haskins in a brutal No DQ match at Chapter 18. Rampage has yet to have a one on one match for the title he lost.
12. Damo O'Connor
Big beardy fucker who hits people really hard and is from Ireland. Damo debuted for PROGRESS at Chapter 18, losing after being literally forked by Zack Gibson. As well as a formidable body of work in ICW, Damo impressed in PROGRESS, and goes straight into the tournament.
13. Big Daddy Walter
PROGRESS debut. A 3 time wXW Champion.
Noam Dar has come the closest of anyone to ending Havoc's title reign, having technically beaten him (the referee didn't see the tapout while Dar was pinned). The 21 year old Scot has been chomping at the bit for another shot, shouting Havoc's name and wearing his mask after breaking the nose of his partner Paul Robinson at Chapter 17. In PROGRESS since Chapter 1, Dar wants to finally win the big one.
15. Mark Haskins
HASKINS! Haskins, like Scurll, is a relative veteran of the UK scene. Haskins spent most of his early PROGRESS tenure going after the tag division as part of Screw Indy Wrestling, first with Nathan Cruz and then with Sha Samuels
. HASKINS! Recently, Haskins tried to bring former Screw member Rampage Brown back into the fold. When Rampage told him to do one, Haskins first had Martin Stone & Sha Samuels beat Rampage down, then just did it himself. After Rampage beat him in a No DQ match at Chapter 18 though, Haskins will be looking to get back to winning ways by going after the top prize in PROGRESS. HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASKKIIIIIINS
16. Zack Sabre Jr.
Previously a frequent tag partner of Marty Scurll as the LDRS of the New School, Zack Sabre Jr. is a veteran of both British wrestling and PROGRESS, there since Chapter 1. Sabre is also a long time (former) friend of Jimmy Havoc, with their match at Chapter 8 being one of the things that Jimmy cited as being responsible for his attitude change. Zack was also the first challenger PROGRESS put in front of Havoc after he took the PROGRESS Championship. More recently, he had a hard fought war with Joker Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) at Chapter 13, but has been absent for much of 2014 making a name for himself elsewhere, not only taking on Shinsuke Nakamura for RPW, but making a huge impact stateside in PWG's BOLA. Sabre did so well that his next appearance in PWG was for the PWG World Championship. In his last PROGRESS appearance before a lengthy tour of Japan for NOAH, ZSJ defeated standout trainee Sebastian at ENDVR 8 in January. After the match, PROGRESS head trainer Darell Allen turned on Zack, who originally trained Allen, complaining that Zack was never proud of him. Sabre returns to PROGRESS with one eye surely on Allen, but the other on dealing with his former friend and taking the PROGRESS championship.
All available to watch on https://demandprogress.pivotshare.com 10 to 12 days after the tournament.
As well as the 16 man tournament, Night One features the return to PROGRESS of the London Riots, as they take on Havoc, their former leader in Regression, and Paul Robinson. Night Two features the first ever women's match on a main PROGRESS show, as Pollyanna will take on Jinny for the last time in a No DQ match.
The tournament features not only the best of Britain from inside and outside PROGRESS, it also features some of the best talent worldwide. Here's a rundown of the entrants in the tournament, and for the regulars, what they've been up to lately in PROGRESS:
1. Roderick Strong
PROGRESS debut. The current PWG champion, a good showing against Strong would raise the worldwide prospects of anyone in the tournament.
2. Will Ospreay
Still out for justice after Jimmy Havoc turned his tag partner Paul Robinson against him, then tried to cut his ear off. In his last 3 attempts at Havoc, Havoc first avoided the pinfall to keep his title, then beat Will one on one, biting at his ear and ripping the ring apart to keep up the fear campaign. At Chapter 18, Will outlasted 4 other men in the 6 way elimination main event, but failed to hit his 630 finisher, and Havoc literally curbstomped him for the win. With his profile recently raised by going toe to toe with IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for RPW, Ospreay returns to PROGRESS to deal with Havoc once and for all.
3. Zack Gibson
Zack Gibson was the runner up of the second Natural Progression series, PROGRESS's tournament for new stars, who's winner gets a PROGRESS title shot. Gibson came up short against Flash Morgan Webster, however making it to the finals of a tournament that has brought Will Ospreay, Paul Robinson, and (now TNA's) Mark Andrews to PROGRESS is no small feat. Gibson followed up on this by beating Big Damo at Chapter 18, albeit with a fork. Gibson will be looking to take the title shot he missed out on previously.
4. Marty Scurll
Part of PROGRESS since Chapter 1, Marty Scurll has been in the title hunt since then, but come up short against Nathan Cruz and Jimmy Havoc twice during their reigns. No longer "Party" Marty, Scurll now prefers to be known as "The Villain", and will likely use these tactics (and his umbrella) to try and claw his way to the title.
5. Tomasso Ciampa
PROGRESS debut. Having recently departed ROH, Ciampa is eager to make his name outside of the company, and with a PROGRESS appearance apparently having already been on his 2015 goals list, he'll be looking to win the tournament for a return trip at Chapter 20.
6. Dave Mastiff
Big beardy fucker who hits people really hard. Having almost beaten Havoc in a 3-way, Mastiff snapped after being eliminated by Noam Dar at Chapter 18, crushing Dar and then watching as Havoc eliminated him. Presumably Mastiff is now out for himself rather than under Havoc's thumb, will a more ruthless attitude earn him a championship match?
7. Eddie Dennis
Dennis has spent most of his PROGRESS career in the Tag scene, becoming the first Tag Champions with longtime friend Mark Andrews, and then beating the at the time undefeated London Riots at Chapter 14. Andrews and Dennis lost the titles after being jumped by the unknown group The Faceless. Dennis failed to regain the titles in the rematch with new partner Wild Boar Mike Hitchman at Chapter 18. After beating Mason Ryan at ENDVR 10, Dennis announced he was refocusing on the PROGRESS Title, and old foe, former Riots stablemate, and man who stole the Title from his friend Mark Andrews, Jimmy Havoc.
8. Jack Gallagher
PROGRESS debut. Having made a name for himself as a formidable mat technician, primarily in ICW, and after many fan suggestions/demands, Gallagher debuts in PROGRESS with an immediate opportunity to get a more permanent spot.
9. Tommy End
End recently returned after a few months absence from PROGRESS, and swiftly became the current Number 1 Contenders to the PROGRESS Tag Shields by bringing in his Sumerian Death Squad partner, Michael Dante, at Chapter 18. Having recently made a hell of a name for himself in PWG and Evolve over Wrestlemania weekend, the Dutchman looks to also become the Number 1 Contender for the PROGRESS Championship.
10. El Ligero
A former PROGRESS champion, El Ligero is one of the most solidly booked wrestlers in the UK. In PROGRESS however, Ligero has been mostly absent or on the losing end of his matches in 2014/15. A single win against Michael Gilbert (Mikey Whiplash) with a barbed wire assisted crossface at Chapter 16 put paid to months of taunting from Gilbert, who hasn't been seen in PROGRESS since. Ligero will be looking to get back to winning ways, and get a shot against Havoc for the title he once held.
11. Rampage Brown
A former PROGRESS champion, Rampage Brown also almost beaten Havoc in the same 3-way as Mastiff. Rampage also put in a great performance at Chapter 14 against Samoa Joe. Recently Rampage has been sidetracked dealing with his former Screw Indy Wrestling partners Sha Samuels and particularly Mark Haskins, defeating Haskins in a brutal No DQ match at Chapter 18. Rampage has yet to have a one on one match for the title he lost.
12. Damo O'Connor
Big beardy fucker who hits people really hard and is from Ireland. Damo debuted for PROGRESS at Chapter 18, losing after being literally forked by Zack Gibson. As well as a formidable body of work in ICW, Damo impressed in PROGRESS, and goes straight into the tournament.
13. Big Daddy Walter
PROGRESS debut. A 3 time wXW Champion.
14. Noam DarWalter's VERY solid (not just in terms of his build) and can have a good match with just about anyone, I think he's going to go down a treat with the PROGRESS crowd. Put him in a ring with any of the other big guys in the line-up and I can guarantee it'll be a proper belter of a match, but he works well with smaller guys as well. Had some great matches with Zack & Tommy in wXw.
Noam Dar has come the closest of anyone to ending Havoc's title reign, having technically beaten him (the referee didn't see the tapout while Dar was pinned). The 21 year old Scot has been chomping at the bit for another shot, shouting Havoc's name and wearing his mask after breaking the nose of his partner Paul Robinson at Chapter 17. In PROGRESS since Chapter 1, Dar wants to finally win the big one.
15. Mark Haskins
HASKINS! Haskins, like Scurll, is a relative veteran of the UK scene. Haskins spent most of his early PROGRESS tenure going after the tag division as part of Screw Indy Wrestling, first with Nathan Cruz and then with Sha Samuels
after Cruz got Benoit'd from PROGRESS
16. Zack Sabre Jr.
Previously a frequent tag partner of Marty Scurll as the LDRS of the New School, Zack Sabre Jr. is a veteran of both British wrestling and PROGRESS, there since Chapter 1. Sabre is also a long time (former) friend of Jimmy Havoc, with their match at Chapter 8 being one of the things that Jimmy cited as being responsible for his attitude change. Zack was also the first challenger PROGRESS put in front of Havoc after he took the PROGRESS Championship. More recently, he had a hard fought war with Joker Prince Devitt (Finn Balor) at Chapter 13, but has been absent for much of 2014 making a name for himself elsewhere, not only taking on Shinsuke Nakamura for RPW, but making a huge impact stateside in PWG's BOLA. Sabre did so well that his next appearance in PWG was for the PWG World Championship. In his last PROGRESS appearance before a lengthy tour of Japan for NOAH, ZSJ defeated standout trainee Sebastian at ENDVR 8 in January. After the match, PROGRESS head trainer Darell Allen turned on Zack, who originally trained Allen, complaining that Zack was never proud of him. Sabre returns to PROGRESS with one eye surely on Allen, but the other on dealing with his former friend and taking the PROGRESS championship.
All available to watch on https://demandprogress.pivotshare.com 10 to 12 days after the tournament.