So as some of you maybe aware, I attend progress every month when it is at the Ballroom. Unboxing is always a show I attribute to being in a bubble that doesn't connect much to the year previous, however this year was a pleasant surprise.
Kid Lykos II vs. El Hijo Del Vikingo - First time ever seeing Vikingo and thought this was shaping up to be a lot of fun. Lykos II has steadily improved into a performer of his own right. I do keep waiting for the day he turns on Lykos and we see what he can do on his own. The injury was really abrupt and it was hard to pinpoint exactly where but it was a shame as these two were getting rolling. I'm hoping it's nothing too serious.
Axel Tischer vs. Big Damo - Decent promo from Sanity beforehand to continue their feud with Sunshine Machine. This was a solid if unspectacular match, Tischer retaining honestly surprised me here.
Charles Crowley vs. Alexis Falcon - I am personally a Charles Crowley fan and to me he is a casualty of Progress booking as honestly he has cooled down massively since Strong Style (Not the first time I've seen an over talent step back here). I personally haven't been that impressed by Falcon but it was nice to see her recovered from injury. This was a decent match but Crowley falling clean very much is a sign this year will be more of the same.
Mark Haskins vs. Michael Oku - Match of the night. Seeing Oku was a huge surprise he radiates star power. I'm personally not as big on Haskins as others. While in the ring he is solid, he doesn't really offer much of a character or personality. Regardless a truly fantastic contest and I'd like to see more of Oku.
Gene Munny/Will Kroos vs. Simon Miller/Jerry Bakewell vs. Sunshine Machine - Yikes at this being the state of the tag team division. Aces are great. I've not been as into this Munny heel run as it feels like it's retreading his babyface shtick. Will Kroos hasn't really impressed me much but to his credit busted out a sweet moonsault. Simon Miller is someone I like a lot but at times leans into too much comedy and while I love Jerry as a host I didn't really have much desire seeing him work. Despite these factors, this was an enjoyable little skirmish which I'm relieved the aces won.
Thunderbastard - Decent bout with some fun moments. Kid Lykos is a firm favorite and it was cool to see Rayne Leverkausen for the first time. Session Moth works a little better as a heel than Munny IMO but as a worker I'm not overly impressed. Eddie Dennis is always solid and I'm more impressed with Tate Mayfairs and his unexpected babyface run the more I see him. Lana Austin is a fun character and I'm still iffy if I'm honest on the duo of Connor Mills and Nico Angelo. Tate winning was one hundred percent the right call in this.
Rhio vs. Nina Samuels - more an angle then a match. I have personally not been a fan of Rhio's booking as women's champion. So for me this extended squash and Nina Samuels title win was the right decision.
Luke Jacobs vs. Ricky Knight Jr vs. Man Like Dereiss vs. Leon Slater - Grety main event option with four people I am very high on. This is a match I had a lot of love four especially as the three faces all set about beating the shit out of Jacobs who had wronged them all. Luke winning was the right call and I'm very excited to see him against Tate.
Kid Lykos II vs. El Hijo Del Vikingo - First time ever seeing Vikingo and thought this was shaping up to be a lot of fun. Lykos II has steadily improved into a performer of his own right. I do keep waiting for the day he turns on Lykos and we see what he can do on his own. The injury was really abrupt and it was hard to pinpoint exactly where but it was a shame as these two were getting rolling. I'm hoping it's nothing too serious.
Axel Tischer vs. Big Damo - Decent promo from Sanity beforehand to continue their feud with Sunshine Machine. This was a solid if unspectacular match, Tischer retaining honestly surprised me here.
Charles Crowley vs. Alexis Falcon - I am personally a Charles Crowley fan and to me he is a casualty of Progress booking as honestly he has cooled down massively since Strong Style (Not the first time I've seen an over talent step back here). I personally haven't been that impressed by Falcon but it was nice to see her recovered from injury. This was a decent match but Crowley falling clean very much is a sign this year will be more of the same.
Mark Haskins vs. Michael Oku - Match of the night. Seeing Oku was a huge surprise he radiates star power. I'm personally not as big on Haskins as others. While in the ring he is solid, he doesn't really offer much of a character or personality. Regardless a truly fantastic contest and I'd like to see more of Oku.
Gene Munny/Will Kroos vs. Simon Miller/Jerry Bakewell vs. Sunshine Machine - Yikes at this being the state of the tag team division. Aces are great. I've not been as into this Munny heel run as it feels like it's retreading his babyface shtick. Will Kroos hasn't really impressed me much but to his credit busted out a sweet moonsault. Simon Miller is someone I like a lot but at times leans into too much comedy and while I love Jerry as a host I didn't really have much desire seeing him work. Despite these factors, this was an enjoyable little skirmish which I'm relieved the aces won.
Thunderbastard - Decent bout with some fun moments. Kid Lykos is a firm favorite and it was cool to see Rayne Leverkausen for the first time. Session Moth works a little better as a heel than Munny IMO but as a worker I'm not overly impressed. Eddie Dennis is always solid and I'm more impressed with Tate Mayfairs and his unexpected babyface run the more I see him. Lana Austin is a fun character and I'm still iffy if I'm honest on the duo of Connor Mills and Nico Angelo. Tate winning was one hundred percent the right call in this.
Rhio vs. Nina Samuels - more an angle then a match. I have personally not been a fan of Rhio's booking as women's champion. So for me this extended squash and Nina Samuels title win was the right decision.
Luke Jacobs vs. Ricky Knight Jr vs. Man Like Dereiss vs. Leon Slater - Grety main event option with four people I am very high on. This is a match I had a lot of love four especially as the three faces all set about beating the shit out of Jacobs who had wronged them all. Luke winning was the right call and I'm very excited to see him against Tate.
