Progress Wrestling "Chapter 69:Be Here Now" Preview and Predictions

Progress Wrestling "Chapter 69:Be Here Now" Preview and Predictions

Photo Credit: @ThisIs_Progress

Progress Wresting roles arrives in Manchester this Sunday for Chapter 69:Be Here Now at Victoria Warehouse. This will be the largest show that Progress have staged outside of London and the stacked card certainly reflects how serious things are getting as all roads start to turn towards the companies huge show at Wembley Arena this September. 

Hot on the heels of a stunning Super Strong Style 16 tournament at London's Alexandra Palace over the Bank Holiday weekend a number of existing rivalries and exciting new developments look set to play out this Sunday.

Mills and Mayhew vs Aussie Open

Earlier this week it was announced that there will be a Tag Team Championship "Thunderbastard" match at Wembley. To determine not only who holds the gold going in to that match but also the entry order of the competitors there will be a "league tournament" between all the tag teams selected for this huge match. The first of these will see Connor Mills & Maverick Mayhew take on Aussie Open. Mayhew & Mills stated this week that they haven't delivered as a tag team on the big stage in Progress and asked for one more chance to show that they can compete at this level. As for Aussie Open although largely unproven so far in a Progress ring many will see them as favourites due to their highly impressive showings in a number of other promotions including a stellar showing in the recent Fight Club Pro DTTI. There was also a recent match between Mayhew and Mark Davis in the Natural Progression Series which saw the big Aussie come out on top.

Prediction: Aussie Open

David Starr vs Walter

Two men that you would assume came away from the SSS16 weekend with mixed emotions. David Starr suffered a Quarter Final defeat at the hands of eventual tournament winner Zack Sabre Jr after a brutal bout which saw him come away with a huge amount of credit despite the defeat. As for the "Ring General" Walter it was arguably an even more eventful weekend as he first defeated defending champion Travis Banks via count out in the Progress World Championship match (therefore not winning the title) He then decided to relinquish his Atlas Championship belt the following day after Travis Banks told him he wouldn't get another shot at the World Championship for as long as he held the Atlas belt. The big Austrian is an intimidating presence at anytime but with his focus firmly fixed on Banks and the Wold title Starr could be in for another brutal match.

Prediction: Walter

Mark Andrews vs Zack Sabre Junior

Another two men that experienced an eventful SSS16 weekend although for entirely different reasons. Mark Andrews explosive feud with former best friend Eddie Dennis took a sinister turn that ultimately led to him finally agreeing to face his former FSU partner in a match at Wembley. First Dennis showed up with a ringside ticket during Andrews SSS16 match causing a distraction which would ultimately see him lose. However things would escalate further as Dennis would later show up at a gig for Andrews band Junior and attack their manager on stage. This led to Andrews agreeing to face Dennis at Wembley on the stipulation that Dennis would not attend any Progress event before they face off in September.  It remains to be seen whether Dennis will hold up his end of the agreement but if he does then Andrews can at least look forward to being able to concentrate on his matches without looking over his shoulder. As for ZSJ he had the perfect SSS16 as he won the whole tournament and subsequently declared that he will take his World Championship shot at Wembley. The "best technical wrestler in the world" is on quite the role in Progress right now and will be looking to continue this all the way to his title match.

Prediction: ZSJ

Mark Haskins/Jimmy Havoc/Flash Morgan Webster vs British Strong Style

A mixed bag at SSS16 for all the men involved in this match which makes it very tough to call how this one will go. Haskins, Havoc and Webster attacked Pete Dunne during his SSS16 match with Zack Gibson which saw him inadvertently get himself disqualified attempting to fight them off before Tyler Bate came to save his stablemate. Under the watchful eye of Vicky Haskins the trio also won a six man tag match on day two before Haskins and Webster won another tag match on day 3. BSS have far too much quality and experience to ever be overlooked however there does seem to be real momentum behind Haskins, Havoc and Webster especially with Vicky Haskins pulling the strings. One potential stumbling block is Websters reluctance to engage in some of the underhand tactics encouraged by his partners however he can't deny the results that they are helping him achieve.   

Prediction: Haskins, Havoc and Webster

Atlas Championship (Vacant) Rob Lynch v Rampage Brown v Joseph Connors v Doug Williams

After the unexpected decision of Walter to vacate the Atlas Championship at SSS16 what was originally pencilled as a non title match has become a fatal 4 way for the vacant belt. The obvious favourite is arguably Brown as a former holder of the championship however it is sure to be a heavy hitting affair that could fall anyone's way. Lynch will be coming in with a point to prove having recently returned to Progress while Doug Williams was added to the match after a great showing against Pete Dunne at SSS16 which proved that he can still go toe to toe with the very best. Connors arrives after an appearance on WWE 205 Live this week with a quoted weight of 196 lbs so he'll be sure to add a few pounds to get above the Atlas division minimum of 205 lbs before Sunday. 

Prediction: Rob Lynch

Womens Championship Toni Storm (c) v Jinny w/ House of Couture 

A rivalry which has been bubbling under for months comes to a head as Toni Storm faces arguably her toughest test yet as Womens Champion. Even before her long injury lay off Jinny believed that she deserved to be the Progress Womens Champion and seeing the continued success and rise of Toni Storm has only intensified that belief. Having recruited Chakara, Nina Samuels and Charlie Morgan (banned from ringside after losing to Storm at SSS16) to form House of Couture she has largely dominated the women's division even whilst her injury prevented her from competing in ring. The fact that she will have Chakara and Samuels ringside is a huge advantage that could prove crucial in this match. Storm is undoubtedly one of the best female wrestlers on the planet and has had a hugely successful reign as champion however she will need to pull out all the stops to prevent Jinny taking her crown.   

Prediction: Jinny

World Championship Travis Banks (c) v Jack Sexsmith

Possibly the biggest talking point from Progress in recent months has been the journey of reigning World Champion Travis Banks. The "Kiwi Buzzsaw" was the darling of the Progress faithful after he won SSS16 2017 and went on to win the title from then champion Pete Dunne. However things have gradually turned for Banks as he has become the most successful Progress World Champion in terms of successful title defences. This came to a head after a title defence against Matt Riddle which saw a large portion of the crowd in attendance turn on Banks chanting "Riddle's our Champion". In his next title defence against Flash Morgan Webster a clearly angered Banks only retained his belt after interference from his "South Pacific Power Trip" partner TK Cooper and a controversial finish. Then in his most recent defence against Walter he again received outside interference from TK Cooper before choosing to walk away from the ring to take a count out loss therefore retaining his title on a technicality. It has been quite the change in mentality from "Terminator Trav" and it is arguable whether this makes him more or less secure in his position as Champion. He will have to put the ominous presence of Walter to the back of his mind this weekend as he faces a new challenger looking to cause a huge upset.  That challenger is Jack Sexsmith and Chapter 69 provides the biggest opportunity of his Progress career to date. There has been a noticeable change in mentality from the "Pansexual Phenomenon" over recent months. He has developed from a fun loving underdog to become a far more serious competitor intent on representing the LGBT community that he is so proud to be a part of. He will undoubtedly have the majority of the support on Sunday which will give him a huge boost although he could also struggle with the pressure this brings in his first ever Progress World Championship match. 

Prediction: Travis Banks