Progress Wrestling Chapter 70: May 27th 1978 Conclusions

Progress Wrestling Chapter 70: May 27th 1978 Conclusions

Photo Credit @ThisIs_Progress

A packed month of Progress Wrestling drew to a close on Sunday as the action returned to the regular surroundings of the Electric Ballroom in Camden. This was no regular show however as the whole show was transported back in time 40 years to May 27th 1978. This was the idea of co-owner Jim Smallman, partly inspired by recently turning 40 years old himself but also seen as a fun way to end the month following the huge SSS16 tournament and Chapter 69 in Manchester just one week prior.

The theme of the show was fully embraced with all promotional content, match announcements, wrestlers and fans alike reflecting the fun, light-hearted atmosphere encouraged by Progress for this show. Although many of the matches were openly billed as being one-off affairs for this show with no relevance in terms of current feuds or ongoing competition there was a handful of important matches that have implications for future Chapters.

Photo Credit @ThisIs_Progress

Haskins and Webster record first win in Tag Team "Thunderbastard" Series

Mark Haskins and Flash Morgan Webster (The Rocker & The Mod) defeated Connor Mills and Maverick Mayhew (Team Greased Lightning) as part of the Tag Team "Thunderbastard" series. The somewhat dis-functional pairing led by Vicky Haskins may have some work to do in terms of becoming a harmonious group however there is no denying how effective they are when on the same page. This victory was important not only in terms of the league table for this series but was also their third successive win as a tag team. Whilst Morgan Webster still doesn't seem entirely on-board with some of the underhand tactics that Vicky Haskins in particular encourages the team to use, he is now part of a group that are building momentum which could lead them to Tag Team gold in the not too distant future. It was the use of Morgan Websters crash helmet "Arabella" as a weapon that ultimately helped overcome Mills and Mayhew who suffered their second defeat of the series leaving them bottom of the table with 2 defeats from 2 matches.

Grizzled Young Veterans retain Tag Team Titles 

The reigning Tag Team Champions Grizzled Young Veterans (Kings of Europe) successfully defended their titles against Aussie Open (The Billabong Boys) in the first defence as part of the "Thunderbastard" series. Zack Gibson again vented his frustrations over the creation of this series and particularly the stipulation that the titles will be on the line in any match involving the reigning Champions and they were pushed all the way by "Dunkzilla" Mark Davis and "Aussie Arrow" Kyle Fletcher. The key moment came as the Aussie pair hit James Drake with the "Fidget Spinner" and appeared to be on course to win the Tag Team titles for the first time however they hadn't noticed the tag had been made and Gibson was actually the legal man. This confusion allowed the Champions to capitalise and pick up the win retaining their gold but also registering a win for the all important "Thunderbastard" series league table.

Current Tag Team Title "Thunderbastard" standings

1) PROGRESS World Tag Team Champions, The Grizzled Young Veterans (Zack Gibson & James Drake) (Matches 1, Points 2)
2) Aussie Open (Mark Davis & Kyle Fletcher) (Matches 2, Points 2)
3) Mark Haskins & “Flash” Morgan Webster (Matches 1, Points 2)
4) CCK (Chris Brookes & Kid Lykos*)
5) The Anti-Fun Police (Chief Deputy Dunne & Los Federales Santos Jr)
6) SexyStarr (Jack Sexsmith & David Starr)
7) M&M (Connor Mills & Maverick Mayhew) (Matches 2, Points 0)

* Pending Kid Lykos being medically cleared to compete

Chris Ridgeway advances to Final of NPS

Photo Credit @ThisIs_Progress

Chris Ridgeway (Black Belt) faced off against Drew Parker (Peace Loving) in the first semi-final of the Natural Progression Series in a match between two men that would have been many peoples pick for the overall winner when the series started. It was Ridgeway that emerged victorious after a bruising encounter which saw a nice mix of stiff strikes from the man with an MMA background and some high flying offence from Parker. After a tentative feeling out period in which neither man wanted to over commit with a place in the series Final up for grabs it was Ridgeway that eventually wore his opponent down with gruelling kick strikes before winning via submission via a choke hold. With Mark Davis vs Danny Duggan set as the other Semi-Final at Chapter 71 in Sheffield on June 10th Ridgeway will soon know his opponent for the Final, based on his performances so far he may well walk in as the favourite for that match.