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PROGRESS Wrestling
Somerville, MA
August 13, 2017
It’s the second half of a doubleheader with Beyond Wrestling. PROGRESS is making their debut in the Boston area and look to follow-up with their well-received show from New York City last night.
Ring announcer Jim Smallman was in the ring and took a seat in the corner. He proceeded to tell the story of the horror that was the last 48 hours. That ranges from Dunne’s injury, TK Cooper’s injury, as well as their nightmare travelling to the show today including a bus that didn’t show up. He then praised everyone in the back, which got a big ovation. He then said sometimes he acts inappropriate so he always asks kids their ages. He said he is okay as long as everyone is 14. So he asked a few kids and they all answered 14, except for one. He asked again and the kid said he was 14 which got a great reaction. Now it’s time for the show.
MATCH ONE: “Mr. Athletic” Jeff Cobb vs. Mark Andrews
Andrews really played up the fact that he was outweighed in the early going. He would try to muscle Cobb, then he would try to hit him and it would have no effect. Andrews couldn’t get anything going until he slipped out of a superplex attempt and hit a powerbomb for a nearfall.
The story was that all of Andrews offense wasn’t working save the occasional high flying move, and when it did, the crowd was extra into it for that reason. Andrews was close after swinging out of a Cobb power move and getting a crucifix for a nearfall. The match ended when Cobb caught another swinging DDT attempt and hit the reverse swinging powerslam for the win. Good opener.
WINNER: “Mr. Athletic” Jeff Cobb
MATCH TWO: Deonna Purrazzo v. Jinny v. Dakota Kai
Non-stop style action in this one. One of the women would get knocked out of the ring and the other two would compete in the ring. The crowd very much against Jinny. All three women were going hard. Creative double down (or triple down) spot where all three were throwing forearms and connected on the person next to them at the same time and they went down.
The finish was well-done. Deonna has a bridging German on Jinny and Dakota came off with a double footstomp on Deonna to score the pin.
These three women busted their asses in there. The match was well-done and they deserve credit for their effort.
WINNER: Dakota Kai
MATCH THREE: Travis Banks v. “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher
As Banks heads into a title match with PROGRESS Champion Pete Dunne, it has been decided that Dunne gets to pick his opponents. Tonight, he chose Gallagher.
Gallagher showing off his technical prowess and getting the heat on Banks while Banks would be doing his best to use strikes to take Gallagher out. In addition to technical work, Gallagher also threw some hard shots. Both men were spectacular in their roles.
Really great stuff during the final few minutes. Great nearfalls and submission attempts. Banks looked close to finishing when Dunne walked out and stood on the stage. This distracted Banks enough to allow Gallagher to hit the running dropkick in the corner for the win. Excellent match.
Gallagher cut a promo putting over that Banks’ nickname of “Kiwi Buzzsaw” not being just a nickname. He said he has been gifted to work the indies unlike any WWE superstar before him, and he’s thankful that he gets to work wrestlers like Banks. He then put over Banks travelling all over the world to train and get better. He then told Banks he needs to focus and get is head in the game because he has lost to everyone Dunne has chosen for him. Dunne picked his spot and ran in, taking both down. He started to stomp Banks and gave him a Pedrigree. Gallagher recovered and ran Dunne off. Really good segment.
WINNER: “Gentleman” Jack Gallagher
INTERMISSION
MATCH FOUR: Non-Title Match: Matt Riddle v. Martin Stone
Lots of work on the mat to start until Stone got a hold of Riddle’s toe and gave it a SNAP! They then traded chops after Stone asked, “can I have another?” From there, the match was a really intense, hard-hitting battle where both guys brought their greatest hits.
Riddle hit the Bro Stone and Martin popped up at one. He fired back and hit some forearms followed by a Canadian Destroyer. Riddle fired up and they went evens from there. Riddle was able to bring Stone to the mat, locked in the Bromission and got the win. After the match, Stone teased taking the belts, but he instead handed them to Riddle and showed each other respect. Really solid match.
He cut a promo saying he’s the first ever two-time Atlas Champion. He then called out Walter and said anytime he wants his rematch to bring it.
WINNER: Matt Riddle
MATCH FIVE: Jimmy Havoc v. Zack Gibson
Gibson took the mic and was drown out in boos. He tried to get Jim Smallman to say what he wanted to say, but he fired him mid-way through and tried again to talk. He did end up calling Havoc untalented and a backyard wrestler, but it was hard to make him out. Either way, his composure and delivery were tremendous and it was a great segment.
Within a few minutes, there were already tons of chairs in the ring. The referee was threatening a DQ, but Havoc said he would kill him if he DQ’d Stone. The referee then said, “okay, kill each other then!”
Havoc took a chair thrown to his head and asked for another. Good things concussions are a myth. Lots of spots involving the chairs from that point on. Havoc kept poking Gibson’s eyes. Havoc had Gibson prone on a chair, then placed a chair on his back. He then did a doublestomp from the top. He then did the Rainmaker for the win. Interesting match.
WINNER: Jimmy Havoc
MAIN EVENT: Progress Tag Team Titles – British Strong Style (Tyler Bate & Trent Seven) (c) v. Ring Kampf (Timothy Thatcher & WALTER)
BSS were playing a bit of the chicken shit role in the early goings. Before the match, Seven had Jim Smallman announce that he’s not staying in this city for another night, because he’s taking a private jet to Connecticut. In addition to wearing their NXT TapOut jackets, they were playing up the WWE connection for heat.
BSS cut the ring off on Thatcher and worked him over to get the heat. Bate hit a Triple H-style spinebuster and even did the Triple H flexing afterwards. They went for a double Pedigree, but Thatcher did the double noggin knock and got the hot tag to Walter. All four men ended up in the ring and they were all left in a heap after Bate did a deadlift German Suplex for a big pop.
Thatcher had an armbar locked in on Bate. Meanwhile, Walter had the sleeper on Seven. Seven was able to wiggle Walter into a pinning position for the win. Good main event.
After the match, Walter and Thatcher got into it a bit. He said they had some problems, so they’ll take care of their problems in the ring because that’s how they do things. So Walter added Thatcher to his match for the Atlas Title with Matt Riddle.
WINNERS: British Strong Style
This was a decent debut in Boston for Progress. Perhaps there was some hangover from the night before and all of the nightmares that occurred for the promotion, because there was an energy problem in the room. In the ring, however, everyone worked very hard and that should be celebrated. Hopefully upon their return, it’ll be firing on all cylinders.
Follow them @This_Is_Progress.
Follow me @HelloCrockett.
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