REVIEW: PROGRESS - Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, Dodge

Progress Wrestling Chapter 130 “Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, Dodge”
Electric Ballroom, Camden, London
Date: March 20 th 2022
Reviewer: David South (@DavidSouth1980)

I wasn’t originally going to be your intrepid reporter for Chapter 130, but due to the most untimely illness befalling our Grapple Theory higher ups, I substituted in at the last moment.

Though far from my first Progress show, this was my first ever trip to the Electric Ballroom, situated at the heart of Camden High Street.

Having braved a train journey more difficult than usual, I took a seat and awaited compare Simon Miller to kick off the show.

Charles Crowley & Elijah vs. North West Strong (Chris Ridgeway and Luke Jacobs)

A supremely confident Charles Crowley came to the ring, he addressed the crowd to say that his partner Elijah, was the hardest man in the building, and they would easily beat up North West Strong.

His confidence looked initially to be misplaced though, as Ridgeway and Jacobs tagged in and out and kicked lumps out their opponents.

The end was a moment that poor Crowley might see in his nightmares for a while. With North West Strong looking to finish Elijah off, Crowley decided to refer to Ridgeway and Jacobs as being a “Bitch”. Elijah was tossed into his corner, where a reluctant Crowley tagged himself in.

He was caught between his opponents, Ridgeway kicking his back, Jacobs chopping his chest until Jacobs hoisted him into the Tombstone position, Ridgeway kicked him in the back of the head one last time, and Jacobs planted him for the victory.

N.W.S progress into the tag team title match at the anniversary show.

Adam Maxted vs. Gene Munny

At Chapter 129, Adam Maxted made his progress bow, attacking the dirty dog after his match with Brendan White. Gene is clearly angry and starts the match with a dive to the outside onto Maxted.

Munny keeps the momentum whilst on the outside but Maxted takes over once theyre back in the ring. As a side note, I do think there is a lot more to Adam Maxted than just his body, he definitely knows how to work a crowd and his dropkick might be the best that Britwres has to offer.

He’s not afraid to do some wilder things too. Back on the floor he sets up Gene in a chair, then hits a chair assisted dropkick to leave him hanging on.

Maxted can’t finish the job though, something the crowd take pleasure in bringing to his attention. So it proved to be when Munny stunned him with a DDT and managed to hang on for the three count for a cathartic victory.

Mercedez Blaze and Taonga vs. Holidead and Trish Adora

Holidead and Trish Adora have got quite a lot on with Progress this week, including a triple threat match with Rhio, but they began by teaming to face Mercedez Blaze and Taonga.

They made most of the early running in this match until Blaze hit a vicious DDT on Holidead to take over. The heel team continued to use double team moves and use frequent tags until Holidead managed to get to her partner and tag out.

Trish fought back, including a beautiful bridging suplex but it wasn’t to last, as momentum swung back in Blaze and Taonga’s favour.

Mercedez Blaze, probably the most impressive competitor in this one, eventually got the tainted win, rolling up Trish Adora and hooking the tights for the three count.

The issues between these four do not appear to be over.

Team CPF (Danny Black, Joe Lando, Maverick Mayhew and Callum Newman) vs. Malik, Warren Banks and Lykos Gym (Kid Lykos and Kid Lykos II)

There is, quite simply, just too much going on in this match to try and explain everything. The highest of many high spots was probably Joe Lando’s shooting star flip from the top rope to the competitors on the outside.

The match ended when Newman came off the ropes, but straight into Warren Banks spear, who then pinned him.

Two thoughts from this match. What a future there is for eight men involved. So young, so fast, so talented. Great stuff.

The aim for this match though was to get Warren Banks over as a threat for the PROGRESS Heavyweight Championship and in that regard, it was very successful. He looked like a monster throwing the cruiserweights around.

This took us to the interval, but not before Simon Miller announced a two-day Atlas Tournament, to be held at the Ballroom next month and the first five competitors to be involved. Joe Hendry, Jonah, Axel Tischer, Big Damo and Rickey Shane Page.

Rhio vs. Lizzy Evo

Lizzy Evo stepped in to replace the previously announced Kanji and started the match hitting Rhio in the head with the ring mic. From there Evo kept her opponent under her thumb, pausing only to fire back at the crowd.

Rhio though fought her way back into the match and nearly won with a Fishermans Suplex. She couldn’t finish the Liver Bird off there, but soon did with a rope assisted suplex.

Rhio’s week of three big matches with PROGRESS starts with a win

The 0121 (Man Like Dereiss and Dan Moloney) vs. The Smokin’ Aces (Charlie Sterling and Nick Riley)

The Birmingham (or is it Manchester?) - thanks for reminding us of that blunder David, regards, Grapple Theory - boys were popular with the Ballroom crowd and despite the aces excellent work recently, most of the crowd were hoping for a title change here.

It looked like they might get it at the start, as the bad-tempered opening, led into a period of sustained momentum for the 0121.

The Smoking Aces worked their way back in though and had Dereiss in trouble until he made the hot tag to Driller. Eventually double Canadian Destroyers and double clotheslines would have all four men down.

The crowd would not get their satisfaction though, as once Moloney had been piledriven on the ring apron and was essentially eliminated from the match, the Smoking aces would double team Dereiss and hit their spike piledriver to retain.

Jonathan Gresham vs. Cara Noir - Ring of Honor World Championship vs PROGRESS World Championship, title vs title

Then, the match that inspired, the trip for me. Title vs. Title. The R.O.H champion, Jonathan Gresham, against the Progress Champion Cara Noir.

The opening section of the match was very open and very technical. Eventually, that style started to suit Gresham more, so Noir became more aggressive and hit a back suplex and superkick combination for a two count.

Gresham began to tailor his offense at Noir’s left arm. Suddenly, Spike Trivet appears on the ring apron. He signals to Gresham but the ever honourable one doesn’t want his help.

Once Cara has knocked him to the floor, Gresham dives through the ropes onto Spike. The match continues in the ring, Noir dropkicks Gresham into the corner and then hits his package piledriver.

With the referee’s hand on his way down for the three count, Spike yanks him out and to the floor. The match continues again. After narrowly escaping a sleeper hold, Gresham pushes Noir towards the ropes, where a hiding Trivet hits Noir in the head with a chair.

With the referees back turned, Gresham hits a low blow and rolls up Noir to add the Progress belt to his collection. Gresham laughs, mockingly shakes the prone Noir’s hand and the flips off the crowd.

It is a full heel turn by the Octopus, who leaves, pausing only to face down Warren Banks, who had joined the commentary team.

The crowd surround the ring to show their appreciation not only for the match, but for Noir’s 791 day title run.

The first night of a four-show week for Progress starts with a title change that you might have seen coming, but in manner you’d never have predicted.

REVIEW: PROGRESS - Dodge, Dip, Duck, Dive, Dodge

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