REVIEW: PROGRESS Wrestling - Who Run The World?
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
PROGRESS Wrestling: Who Run The World?
The Dome, London
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
Reviewer: Dave Sewell (davesewell04)
It was off to The Dome for the second PROGRESS Wrestling show of a busy week for the promotion. I had a very easy journey, leaving mine at 4.15pm got to Ruislip at five, straight on the tube and there by six, if only every time was like that.
A side note Jon Gresham was there keeping a low profile. Referees tonight, keeping with the all female theme, were Lauren C and LK.
Our ring announcer was Jade Walford who informed us that Lizzy Evo wouldn’t be wrestling tonight (hopefully she’s ok and will be back soon), onto the wrestling…
Royal Aces (Charlie Morgan & Jetta) vs The Bad Bitches (Mercedez Blaze & Taonga)
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
The match started off with the BBs, unsurprisingly, jumping the Aces before the bell rung - which didn’t end up too well for them as the tables were easily turned leaving the Aces in control.
That was until Blaze held open the middle rope for Jetta to fall onto the floor, leading to a prolonged spell of pressure with numerous double team manoeuvres, with Charlie getting more frustrated.
When the tag came it led to a fantastic counter where the Aces reversed a double Irish whip into the corner and left both Mercedez and Taonga ripe for a Charlie splash off Jetta’s back - similar to the Hardy’s Whisper in the Wind.
The match soon broke into a free for all with Jetta being posted on the outside and out of the match. The finish came when Blaze low blowed Charlie into a roll up with a handful of tights, which the ref spotted just before the three count.
Undeterred by this, Mercedes soon had a another pin attempt this time with feet on the second rope which was not spotted leaving the BBs with the dodgy win.
Alex Windsor vs Holidead
This match was originally scheduled as Alex v Lizzy Evo, but with Lizzy out Holidead was moved from the three-way later in the night.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, this was a banger of a match. The start was a series of shoulder tackles with neither giving an inch until Holidead built up a head of steam, sending Alex flying.
The match moved outside, with Alex taking the worst of the punishment - complete with Holidead’s great trash talking. This was a pretty back and forth contest, with the end coming when Alex reversed a tiger bomb into a Michinoku Driver for the win.
I thought this would be match of the night, until…
Alexxis Falcon vs Lana Austin - No Disqualification, TNT Extreme Wrestling Women’s Championship
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
When this was originally announced I bought a ticket straight away, then making it No DQ and adding the title into the match was the cherry on the cake.
Sometimes you watch a grudge match and you feel a little underwhelmed, not this time. Both women took a ton of punishment.
Lana started off slapping Alexxis before the bell. I expected the start of the match to be Lana bailing out of the ring and stalling, nope Lana started off like train, leaving Alexxis reeling.
She then brought a chair into the ring, leaving herself open for Alexxis to fire back. Weapons used in the match were chairs, drawing pins, Lego, a rubbish bin and a drawing pin covered Croc shoe (yes you read that right).
In the end after a Falcon’s Fury onto a chair was kicked out off, another onto another chair with drawing pins on did the job. Alexxis won and retained her TNT title.
I really cannot recommend this match enough, go out of your way to see this. It wasn’t just a spot fest, this really did look like two woman who hate each other and I’d love a rematch.
We then had an interval and a few meets with the wrestlers then back with…
Skye Smitson vs Laura Di Matteo
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
Decent enough match but I really don’t get Skye’s booking with PROGRESS, are we meant to boo or cheer her?
It’s a very watered down version of Skye, without the arrogance and who isn’t slow in dishing out a tongue lashing or a gesture - but we saw none of it here.
Anyway, Skye dominated with power, Laura made comebacks, Skye reversed a tombstone attempt and leant down on the legs for the pin.
It was a bit strange to see Uprisings boss Rhia O’Reilly cheering for Laura though, no fault of the girls involved but weakest match of the card. Please Progress, let Skye off the leash.
Trish Adora vs Rhio - Pan-Afrikan Diaspora Wrestling Championship
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
This match was originally meant to involve Holidead, but was now a singles match for the first overseas defence for Trish’s Pan-Afrikan Diaspora title.
It was the classic power of Rhio vs the technical prowess of Trish, who even found time for three lots of press ups while having Rhio in various holds - one of which Rhio powered out of by standing up and dropping Trish like a bad habit.
Pretty hard hitting from then on, with Rhio hitting her Ushigoroshi, which is always impressive. Trish won in the end with a sit down full Nelson bond then manoeuvred round into an impressive pinning combination.
Gisele Shaw vs Session Moth Martina - Progress Women’s Championship
Credit: PROGRESS Wrestling
Starting with a chant of ”we’re on the sesh when Martina wins”, we had the normal early match grinds which nearly backfired when Gisele tried it and got rolled up for a tow-count for her troubles.
I was surprised in the early going when Martina was controlling the match, until shee went for a springboard into the ring but got caught with a super kick, leading to a bit of a beat down outside the ring.
Gisele had a bit of dominance after that, until Martina made a bit of a comeback with a Cross Rhodes and FameAsser which I’d never seen her do before. She also hit the Jagerbomb for a very close 2.99 count.
The finish came down to an avoided beer mist from Martina, which got the ref. While she was clearing her eyes, Gisele hit Martina with a low blow and knee to the face into the arm bar.
It looked like Martina might get to the ropes until Gisele rolled her round and lent even further back, leaving Martina no choice but to tap.
It was a good effort from Martina but you could tell Gisele was a level above and is, in my mind, pretty much the total package. Her only real challenger will be Kanji, when she returns
Overall this was a pretty good show and hopefully not the last all women’s show by Progress. Match of the night, as said, was Alexxis v Lana, but if you don’t like weapons it would by Alex v Holidead
With it being the second match of a busy week, it was a small crowd and just before the start they removed a whole side of seats to crowd the fans together.
In my view this was a good decision as, while small, the crowd was quite noisy and well into it.
How you enjoyed the review and thanks for reading.
Dave Sewell