PROGRESS Chapter 25: Chat Shit, Get Banged

On New Year’s Day, PROGRESS Wrestling announced that in September they would be running their Chapter 36 show at the Brixton Academy, a venue with a capacity of 2,000 for what will be by far their biggest show ever. As I have discussed on numerous occasions in my previous PROGRESS reviews, the company continues to grow and the past few months have been particularly important with regards to this after December saw them put on their first Chapter show outside of the capital with Chapter 24. The response to the announcement from the PROGRESS fans, who are as rabid and loyal as any you will find in pro wrestling, was off the page and understandably so- PROGRESS have a reputation for delivering big announcements, important matches and star cameos, even after shows have sold out (which they’ve cultivated to such affect that fans continue to sell out each of their events in advance). Previous surprises have included Ricochet, Samoa Joe, Tomasso Ciampa, Prince Devitt and others, so unsurprisingly, people’s imaginations are running away with them as to what might be in store for the Brixton show when it happens. While the company have been riding a wave of popularity and momentum that has seen their continued growth in an increasingly competitive British wrestling market- they are also beginning to face up to new challenges brought about by their heightened exposure and the competition that they face at this level.