The rambunctious BritWres juggernaut Progress Wrestling hosted the biggest independent wrestling show in over 30 years at Wembley Arena. Packing in over 4,700 drunk and barely orderly fans, Progress delivered on all expectations – excellent standards of wrestling met with moments both hardcore and casual fans will remember for decades.
Even those who only dip their toes into the world of BritWres would have been vaguely aware of the gargantuan card heading into last weekend. The show featured a who’s who of the British indie scene – bringing together stars of NXT UK and upcoming talent from all over Europe. It also boasted Matt Riddle’s final contracted indie appearance and plenty of variety to keep everyone invested.
As someone that was attending their very first Progress show (no, I will not be accountable for the rounds), I was overwhelmed by the passion and the grandeur that both fans and producers brought to the show. It honestly felt like one of the most important shows I’ll ever have the privilege to attend. As a preface to our review, I’d like to thank and congratulate everyone involved with Hello Wembley for putting on one hell of a night.
1. Mark Haskins (W/ Vicky Haskins) def. Matt Riddle
The old adage of pro wrestling states that if you’re on your way out, then you put over as many people as you can. Matt Riddle is of course off on his mainstream adventures into NXT, and it’s about bloody time too. Riddle’s final contractual obligation was Progress’ Wembley show. Even though his match was only recently confirmed to be against Mark Haskins, everyone knew heading into this match that it was going to be emotional.
Haskins is certainly a worthy opponent for Riddle to bow out with. The two former champions put on an excellent match to start the show, keeping things at a fast yet systematic pace which both men were able to hold their own with.
Mark Haskins of course found himself with the win, which should hopefully propel him into the main event scene following the show. Matt Riddle spent a good few minutes wishing goodbyes to the crowd and seemed overcome by the respect given from his opponent and the entire Wembley crowd. What a match to go out on, I can’t wait to see where things go for him in NXT.
2. Jinny def. Toni Storm & Millie McKenzie to retain the Progress Women’s Championship
In the first title match of the evening, Jinny defended her Women’s Title against both Toni Storm and Millie McKenzie – two extremely popular women with the British crowd. In what was a fairly balanced contest between all three competitors, Jinny managed to steal the win when one of Toni’s compatriots – Laura Di Matteo – turned on both her and her pal Candy Floss to align with The House of Couture.
The heel turn blindside helped Jinny pick up the victory and retain her championship over two very game challengers. I suspect this feud will continue heading into the next Progress show in a few weeks.
Although things weren’t quite over, as Jordynne Grace hit the ring. One of the most impressive female wrestlers on the planet, who has recently been picking up steam post-All In, made her Progress debut and attacked the entire House of Couture. It made for a spectacular moment that shook the entire division.
3. Trent Seven def. Doug Williams to win the Progress Atlas Championship and retire Doug Williams
A shocking moment for everyone in attendance, Doug Williams was forced into retirement after losing to Trent Seven. Of course, everyone knows and adores the don of British Strong Style, but quite frankly it was hard to be cheering his victory knowing that he just ended the career of a true BritWres legend.
In what was a classic burly hoss-off, Seven and Williams put on a stunner for the crowd which capped off Doug’s career perfectly. The entire roster came out to applaud Williams as he left the squared circle for the final time, covered in streamers.
Congratulations and thank-you to Doug Williams. Also to Trent, the new Atlas Champion.
4. Jimmy Havoc def. Paul Robinson – No DQ Grudge Match
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AS3BjC0lYqY
Blood. Blood everywhere. As you’d expect from the two death-match workers, the ring was covered with the debris of broken light tubes, chairs, thumbtacks and other such implements.
The atmosphere prior to the match was telling – chilling, knowing that someone was probably going to die. Luckily, neither did. But they might as well have, looking at the amount of blood Robinson had lost over the course of the match. It was visceral and brutal.
Havoc took the win after curb stomping Robinson through the light tubes and hitting him with a huge ripcord clothesline.
After the interval had concluded, Jim Smallman announced Super Strong Style 16, the annual tournament which brings together pretty much everyone from the British scene. Last year’s winner – “The Kiwi Buzzsaw”, Travis Banks – made his entrance and despite being currently injured, riled up the crowd and announced his participation in next year’s tournament.
5. Aussie Open wins the Thunderbastard Tag Championship Match to win the Progress Tag Team Championships
Spot monkeys everywhere. It was glorious. Fitting in a total of 16 bodies throughout the match, the Thunderbastard met and surpassed expectations, giving everyone involved their own moment to shine in front of the Wembley crowd.
Aussie Open have quickly made it to the top of the food chain in the tag division. If anyone deserved to win this massive elimination match then it was Davis and Fletcher.
There was nobody who faded into the background in this match – Flamita and Bandido should never be slept on, Grizzled Young Vets were as despicable as always and everyone else involved brought the charm, charisma and downright talent that made this a fantastic match.
6. Pete Dunne def. Ilja Dragunov (with Christian Michael Jakobi)
In what was arguably the biggest match of the night (and in modern European wrestling), the WWE UK Champion faced off against WXW’s Ilja Dragunov. Dunne and Ilja have a very similar, intense style which matched up together perfectly. Naturally, the crowd was thoroughly behind Dunne at first, but the Russian really started to win people over to make a very split crowd by the end.
We were treated to a bunch of false finishes and a count which Michael Cole would probably refer to as “two and seven eighths”. The “Bruiserweight” eventually locked Ilja into a triangle hold and began snapping fingers, a really physical match finished with a unique submission.
7. Eddie Dennis def. Mark Andrews – TLC Match
Actually, the tables were the true winners here.
A match which will probably find itself featured on Botchamania soon enough, Dennis and Andrews put on an absolute belter of a grudge match, highlighted by consistent table spots that failed to go according to plan.
The two former FSU partners put themselves through some killer spots in order to make the TLC match feel special again. It was the exact bout that had to happen between the two.
If you have a chance to catch the drama created by a few ungimmicked tables, then please do, it was an excellent match made even better by some really brutal spots.
8. Walter def. Tyler Bate to retain the Progress World Championship
Bit awkward, but I actually had to leave this match halfway through. As quite a few of the tweeting folk pointed out, the show did run past its scheduled finish time, but you know, it’s a wrestling show so there’s not really any guarantee of anything. Me being someone that had to travel, it did mean that I had to dash in the middle of what was turning out to be an awesome match.
Tyler Bate is of course one of the UK scene’s prodigies, oozing with potential and a sure-fire bet to be involved in the main event scene in Progress. His opponent, the European belt collector, was a tough match for the “Big Strong Boi”.
Many have claimed this to be MOTY potential, so if that’s anything to go by then do yourself a favour and find it. Walter chopped, Bate did strong things and the crowd were thoroughly into it, or at least those who didn’t have work in the morning.
One thing that was pretty awesome was the WrestleMania-style entrance given to Walter. It was a big fight in an arena that begged grandeur. Walter pulled a Nakamura and was played out by two violinists which really amped the crowd up prior to the match. Good on Progress for going the extra mile to make Walter look like the megastar he is.
Word is that Walter declared that he will face Tyler again in the future. What a champ.
So that was Hello Wembley! Again, a phenomenal night that really captured the beauty of BritWres. Jim Smallman should be proud of how fantastic everything turned out. I am ashamed for missing the final moments of the main event, but I’m glad that I was able to experience the emotion, the accomplishment and most of all, the graps.
Share your favourite Wembley experience in the comments below, what was your match of the night? Let us know.
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