Event: Progress Chapter 101: Dalmations
Venue: Electric Ballroom, Camden
Submitted by: Steve Harris
The first show of the post-Jim Smallman era, with Matt Richards taking over as MC and ring announcer.
Eddie Dennis came out and announced that due to a separated shoulder suffered at the NXT UK tapings he was unable to defend his Progress World Championship. He had been ordered to surrender his title, but instead, he would hand the title to Mark Andrews, his best friend.
Richards declared that the new champion would be decided in a four-way elimination match between the winners of tonight’s singles matches, as well as number one contender Cara Noir, including Andrews v Ilja Dragunov.
Ilja Dragunov over Mark Andrews
Dragunov hit Torpedo Moscow and pinned Andrews in 8 seconds. The crowd had a lot of fun at Dennis’ and Andrews’ expense. Personally, I was looking forward to the Andrews/Dragunov match but there you go.
Pretty Deadly (Sam Stokely and Lewis Howley) over More Than Hype (Darren Kearney and Nathan Martin)
A really good tag match that the audience enjoyed. More Than Hype had a great showing on their Ballroom debut, and Pretty Deadly is a team with a big future once they get away from the DNR death grip.
Kyle Fletcher over LJ Cleary
For me, this was Kyle Fletcher 2020 v Kyle Fletcher 2018. Cleary revelled in his underdog position and Fletcher is clearly enjoying his darker singles persona. Fletcher won after a lawn dart into a pump handle tombstone to qualify for the main event.
Progress Proteus Championship
Paul Robinson over A Kid to retain
A Kid really shined in this shoot-style striking environment, although it was a novelty to see him as the larger man in a match. A striking exchange led to a half crab that forced Kid to tap out. Robinson is now a part of the main event with Dragunov, Noir and Fletcher.
Progress Women’s Championship
Jinny over Mercedes Martinez to retain
Jinny hit the Acid Rainmaker after five minutes or so, I felt like there was more in this, Martinez carries herself like a real star, and hopefully, she’ll get a bigger look in down the road.
Following this match, Jinny seemed to enter herself into the upcoming Dani Luna/Gisele Shaw match in Cardiff before she was attacked by the Medusa Complex, Charli Evans and Millie McKenzie!
Destination Everywhere (OJMO, Charlie Carter and Oisin Delaney) over Do Not Resuscitate (Spike Trivet, William Eaver, and Danny Duggan)
Plenty of illegal tactics by DNR, but OJMO secured the win with a frog splash on to Duggan.
Progress World Championship
Four-Way Elimination Match
Cara Noir over Ilja Dragunov, Kyle Fletcher and Paul Robinson to win the title.
There was a great atmosphere and crowd noise for this contest, as a new champion would be crowned. Cara Noir was a huge fan favorite following his build throughout 2019.
Kyle Fletcher eliminated Paul Robinson after 12 minutes with a spinning tombstone.
Fletcher was about to hit the tombstone on Noir but Dragunov saved it, Noir landed on top of Fletcher for the pin and elimination.
Noir v Dragunov for the Progress World Championship had the Ballroom on its feet following their rivalry over the last few chapters, Noir hit Dragunov with his own Torpedo Moscow and a package piledriver to win the championship.