This is Progress!!: Looking at Progress Wrestling Super Strong Style Tournament Day One from a live perspective
Looking at Super Strong Style Day 1 May 3 2026
On May 3 2026, I decided to buy a last minute ticket to Progress Wrestling’s Super Strong Style 2026 Tournament Day One at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London in the United Kingdom.
For those that don’t know, Progress wrestling is a popular independent wrestling company based in the UK. It was founded in 2012 by three friends Jim Smallman, Jon Briley and Glen Joseph and primarily ran shows in London and Manchester before expanding overseas as well. Progress started small and began growing rapidly in the mid 2010s. Some of the biggest names in wrestling have passed through Progress at one time or another. Names such as Will Ospreay, Zach Sabre Jnr, Tommy End ( AKA Aleister Black) Walter ( Gunther) made their names in Progress and became international superstars. Progress also had its own on demand streaming service ( Demand Progress) where fans from allover the world could watch the shows. Progress also had close ties to WWE between 2016-2019 and often showcased NXT talent at the time on their shows such as Kyle O’ Reilly and Keith Lee ( circa 2019).
Now the Progress I was attending between 2015-2019 ( the glory days) was a very different company to the Progress of present day in 2026. There are a few reasons for this. The expansion of WWE with NXT and NXT UK, as well as the arrival of AEW. This meant that some of the biggest stars in Progress were signed to the bigger companies and it’s roster was decimated. Add that to the Speaking Out movement in 2020, which also really hurt the company’s image. ( I won’t go into Speaking out. Just Google it.).
In fact the original Progress owners Jim, Jon and Glen actually cut ties with the company and it was taken over by new owners in Lee McAteer and Martyn Best between 2020 and 2021. During the pandemic era, Progress ran shows behind closed doors in London for a period, before relaunching in front of crowds in January 2022.
The overall look, feel and roster of Progress is a different place to the one I enjoyed in it’s hey day. Names such as Cara Noir, Man Like DeReiss and Gene Munny have carried the company through it’s new era. Even the fanbase is different. The Progress Ultras as it were back in the 2010s have seemingly cut ties with the company as well following Speaking Out. Instead a new fan base has arrived post speaking out era. They are supporting the company almost from it’s rebirth in 2022 and its as if the 2012-2019 era didn’t exist.
Although this era of Progress feels different to the one I enjoyed in the 2010s, it is still a fun product. It is full of up and coming and talented British and international wrestlers. I do feel lucky to still be able to enjoy live wrestling only an hour or so away from my house, that is reasonably priced and NOT WWE or even AEW. I have attended handful of Progress shows since it’s rebirth in 2022, 2023 and 2024 but this one was my first since 2024.
Super Strong Style 16 is always a fun show to attend. It is Progress Wrestling’s annual tournament, which in the past has created some memorable matches and worthy winners. Past winners include Will Ospreay, Zach Sabre Jnr and Tommy End. This year was the 10th annual Progress Men’s Super Strong Style Tournament and the first ever Women’s Super Strong Style Tournament so history was being made here. That said, let’s get into the show itself.
As above, the show was a nine match card. It featured four men’s Super Strong Style quarter final matches and four women’s Super Strong Style quarter final matches. Not to mention, a no disqualification match for the Progress Men’s World Championship between champion Man Like DeReiss and Cara Noir.
Let’s get into the action.
Match 1
Men’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final Match: Simon Miller v Jay Joshua
Fans were solidly behind Simon Miller in this one. Miller who was previously the ring announcer for Progress in 2022, is now a member of the roster. Miller is also famous for his wrestling You tube channel where he provides interviews and funny skits.
Miller who has some impressive size and strength, was determined in this one. He has a bit of a Goldberg tribute going on currently. He uses the Spear and Jack Hammer. Fans chant “ MILLERRR” in the same vein as “ GOOLLD BERRG”. I mean I get it. Simon is big. He’s bald and …. he looks nothing like Bill Goldberg. That said, let’s not spoil the fun i guess.
Miller was up against the young up and comer Jay Joshua. Joshua looks like a future star in wrestling and reminds me of Samoa Joe or Taz. He has the look, size and skill to go very far in the wrestling business.
This match was hard hitting. Miller wasted no time hitting a big Spear early on. He tried to hit the Jackhammer on a few occasions but could not get the big man Joshua up for it.
Joshua connected with a huge German suplex, which Miller popped right up from. In the end, Joshua’s strikes and submissions were too much for Miller. Joshua got the victory with a Coquina clutch sleeper as Miller tapped out.
Joshua advances to the Semi finals, whereas Miller’s hopes of winning SS16 2026 are over.
This was a hard hitting match to start the show. Miller had the fans behind him, but Joshua had the strength and youth on his side, which was too much for Miller.
Overall 2.5 out of 5
Match 2
Women’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final Match: Rhio v Stephanie Maze
Rhio has been a staple in the Progress women’s division for many years now and is certainly a favorite to win the women’s tournament.. I was unfamiliar with Stephanie Maze, but enjoyed this one.
The match was filled with a lot of hard hitting strikes ( I mean duh Super Strong style is it’s name) and some impressive suplexes from Stephanie. Rhio was just a bit more determined here though and got the win with a big Package Piledriver. Rhio moves on and Stephanie is out.
Many fans who i sat with, felt that Rhio’s time had come and went. They were not invested in her anymore. I disagreed and felt she had a strong showing here and would be a worthy Women’s SS16 winner.
Overall 2.5. out of 5
Match 3
Men’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final: Charles Crowley v Elijah Blum
Crowley has been a regular at Progress since 2022 and is a fan favorite. He has a magician/entertainer gimmick and came to the ring with gold balloons and a hat. The balloons ended up tied to a ring post in the corner of the ring. Blum was over from WXW in Germany.
Fans were behind Crowley in this one and honestly he is a favorite to win the whole thing. “Let’s go Crowley” and “super twat style” chants echoed throughout the Ballroom.
Crowley asked “who wants to see some magic”. Blum wasn’t happy with it. He went on the attack with strikes and slams and was very aggressive.
This one was fast paced with a lot of back and forth. Crowley looked impressive with a mix of agility and skill.
Blum eventually popped the balloons and got some real heel heat from the crowd. Not to be denied, Crowley got the win with the springboard cutter. Crawley advances to everyone’s delight.
Overall 3 out of 5
Match 4: Women’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final Match: Shotzi Blackheart v LA Taylor
Former WWE and NXT star Shotzi Blackheart was here competing against LA Taylor, looking to advance to the next round of the tournament.
LA Taylor looked very strong and impressive here. It was my first time seeing her wrestle. She Caught a top rope crossbody from Shotzi and turned it into a fallaway slam. She also hit a big swinging full Nelson slam on Shotzi.
Shotzi who was under sized here, used her speed to her advantage with a big flying head scissors. In the end, she was able to hit a huge Diving back senton off the top rope to get a win.
A fun match from both ladies and Shotzi advances.
Overall 3 out of 5
Match 5
Men’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final: Spike Trivet v Peter TiHanyi
Longtime Progress mainstay and former Progress World champion Trivet, was up against WXW 16 carat Gold finalist Peter Tihanyi here. This was a fun match and one of the best of the night. Both men were well matched and the pace was quick.
Spike the babyface here?. He was always a hated villain in Progress when I saw him. Crazy to see fans behind him but here we are. I’ve not followed progress for a while. Things change.
A Hard hitting match with chops and strikes. A Big exploder suplex from Spike takes control.
Modified ankle lock from Peter but Spike escapes.
Twisting lariat from Spike gets a 2 count. He lands gimpy on his leg off the ropes and Peter takes him down. Spike comes back with a super plex off the ropes but gets caught coming off the ropes into a leg bar. 2 Tornado’s DDT off the ropes from Peter gets a 2 count.
A Slingshot cutter off the ropes attempt from Peter gets caught into a Back suplex by Spike.
Spike then followed up with a top rope diving code breaker and a Butterfly neck breaker over the knee which gets the 3 count. Spike advances.
This was the match of the night so far. Well worked and hard hitting.
Overall 3.25 out of 5
Match 6
Women’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final Match: Gisele Shaw v Skye Smitson
Gisele got some heat on the mic before the match saying “she created the women’s division in progress” and “she should have been given the women’s championship and not have to compete in the Tournament”. Ok Gisele.
One fan shouted “ Go back to Canada” and Gisele responded with a middle finger and a “F*CK YOU”.
Fans were fully behind Skye Smitson chanting “ Sexy Smitson”.
Smitson was hard hitting here with strikes and a really stiff clothesline.
In the end, it was not enough as Shaw wins with a running boot to the face after a valiant performance by Smitson.
Gisele moves on. Nothing special here.
Overall 2.25 out of 5
Match 7: Men’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final: Charlie Sterling v Lio Rush
Here we have AEW’s Lio Rush against Progress regular Charlie Sterling. Lio has undergone a bit of a character change in recent months. He now presents himself as almost a Smeagle/Gollum character who crawls around the ring and speaks in riddles. It is very entertaining, but also terrifying at same time.
Charlie is terrified of AEW star Lio’s spooky smeagle like persona. In all honesty so am I.
Charlie doesn’t know what to do and starts choking Lio in the corner. Lio chokes him back, runs the ropes and scares off Charlie.
Charlie turns Lio inside out with a clothesline. He follows up with two suplexes to take control. He then does a delayed vertical suplex for a 2 count.
Quick strikes from lio and a hand spring kick takes Charlie to the floor. Lio then crawls around the ring like smeagle and delivers a Topei dive through the ropes to the floor.
In ring, Charlie misses a Moonsalt and Lio hits a powerbomb on the much larger man followed by a Frog splash for a 2 count.
Slingshot stunner off the bottom rope from Lio. He thinks about going to the top rope but hesitates. He puts on Charlie’s entrance jacket and makes weird noises. He then goes top rope in Charlie’s jacket but misses and rolled through. They exchanged roll ups. Charlie rolls him up with his jacket over Lios face and with feet on the ropes for a 3 count.
Very fun match here.
Overall 3.25 out of 5
Match 8
Women’s Super Strong Style 16 Quarter Final Match: Kanji v Hollie Barlow
Kanji much like Rhio, has been another staple in the Progress women’s division and has come on in leaps and bounds over the years. Hollie was certainly the underdog here but fans were behind her.
Super kick from Kanji to start the match gets a 2 count.
Kanji gets the better of Barlow with arm twists and neck twists.Kanji with very Zach Sabre Jnr like offence focusing on arms and joints. The fans agree and chant “ Kanji Sabre Jnr”.
Barlow battles back with some suplexes and a Topei dive to the floor.
In ring, Kanji takes Barlow off the turnbuckles and tries a tombstone but Barlow fights off. Barton catches Kanji with a cutter running in. “Hollie” chants in the form of an “OLE” chant break out in the Ballroom.
Discus forearm from Barlow followed by a top rope elbow drop gets 2.
Kanji locks on an octopus stretch mid ring. Barton fights out but Kanki goes to a cross Ambreaker.
Kanji hits a hidden blade for a 2 count. She then locks in a Kimura for the submission win.
Kanji moves on but fans boo. Fans wanted to see Balow win here. I get the sense that much like Rhio, fans are bored with Kanji. Either way she is advancing here.
Overall 3 out of 5
Match 9:
No Disqualification Match for the Progress Mens World Championship:
Man Like DeReiss ( champion) vs Cara Noir
Both men have been main stays in Progress for the last few years. Cara since 2019 and he was the Progress Mens champion for several years during the Pandemic era and into 2022. Dereiss is a fan favorite and has been Men’s champion for a while now.
Cara had turned to the Dark side and been attacking DeReiss for months. He even destroyed his custom Progress championship with a sledgehammer. What a heel.
This one was a wild brawl with chairs and fighting around ringside. At one point my chair was taken out as DeReiss was thrown into it by Cara, so I was up close and personal to the action. A drunk guy next to me also had trouble getting back into his seat as he sort of fell back into it and the chair kept sliding backwards. A funny moment but anyway… back to the match.
Cara brutalized DeReiss with chair shots in ring and worked on his leg. Cara hit a brutal curb stomp into the chair smashing DeReiss’s face into the steel.. He also continued working DeReiss’s leg with chair shots.
Deriss fights back with hard chair shots to Cara’s back and one to the head! Brutal!
A Powerbomb out of the corner onto 4 chairs set up in the ring from DeReiss to Cara was brutal.
DeReiss tries to piledrive Cara off the apron through a table but Cara backdrops him off into the ring and follows up with a shotgun dropkick and more chair shots.
Cara gets a sledgehammer and smashed up a table at ringside. Ok then.
A Springboard from DeReiss in ring gets derailed with chair to the face from Cara.
Cara puts DeReiss head in a set up chair and tries to strike him with the sledge hammer but misses. DeReiss hits a chair shot and locks in a sharpshooter. Fans chanting for Cara to tap. DeReiss sinks it in deep. Referee goes down. Cara taps but no ref to see it.
DeReiss tries the sharpshooter again but Cara throws a chair at him and hits a running shot gun dropkick knocking DeReiss into a corner on the right side.
Cara goes for another shotgun dropkick but DeReiss hits him with a chair to the feet. DeReiss then catapults him into a chair in the corner and then hits a spinning piledriver but only a 2 count when a new ref comes out.
DeReiss takes the sledgehammer from Cara but he can’t follow through. Instead he throws it out of the ring. He boots a chair back on Cara’s face. Hits a blue thunder bomb but misses a 450 splash.
Cara then hits a punt kick for a 2 count.
Our of nowhere Cara hits a butterfly piledriver onto some steel chairs for a 3 counts
Cara Noir is your new Progress Men’s World champion much to the fans dismay. Boos ring out in the Ballroom.
A fun match and the best one of the night.
4 out of 5
Final thoughts
Whilst there were no matches that blew me away on this show, it was still a solid watch throughout.
The wrestlers worked very hard. The crowd were into it and they produced a fun show.
Yes this is not the Progress I enjoyed from years ago. But, times are different now and it is still a blessing to be able to enjoy some live pro wrestling to distract myself from this awful world we live in right now.
If you are looking for an alternative to WWE or AEW, I would recommend checking out some Progress. You can watch this show on Triller TV or Hooked on Wrestling TV ( which covers Progress on demand and Defy wrestling).
I won’t be attending Day 2 as I will be out with my daughter, but I will certainly keep an eye on the results.
I think your Men’s SS16 winner will be Charles Crawley and your Women’s SS16 winner will be Rhio.
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Join me next time for more wrestling content.
Until then, Happy Wrestling to all.