PROGRESS Chapter 47: Complicated Simplicity 4/23/2017 Review

PROGRESS Chapter 47: Complicated Simplicity

Before we start this, yes I am almost a month late with this review. Over the last month or so, I have found myself busy and finally I have got the time to sit down and watch a PROGRESS show in full. The usual play-by-play reviews are being scrapped for a more less time consuming read that is under five minutes. So no further ado, lets jump into this.

James Drake vs Eddie Dennis:

Heading into this, I didnt know what to expect. James Drake has been undefeated and had a knack for just destroying small men in the ring and Eddie Dennis is far from that. The opener was solid, with Drake getting a back and forth match rather than the usual one side squashings he has been having for the last few shows now. A solid back and forth match up which saw Drake get the win which I didn’t care for.

Rating: ** 1/2

Natural PROGRESSION Series IV Semi-Finals- Laura Di Matteo vs Alex Windsor:

The tournament PROGRESS has been doing for a few shows now is all leading up to Super Strong Style 16 weekend where they will crown their first ever PROGRESS Women’s champion. I never seen either woman and truthfully this match dint do much for me. It felt like a showcase for both women and this match had its flaws. However Di Matteo got the win with a Rings of Saturn variation that was pretty cool. The finals are set with Di Matteo taking on both Toni Storm and Jinny very soon.

Rating: ** 1/4

Mike Bird vs Flash Morgan Webster:

This was a classic Student vs Teacher match up. I wasn’t familiar with Bird however these two had a great match. Flash Morgan did a run around ring post Hurricarana that had me going crazy. Bird was very impressive in his singles debut and my first time seeing him and I hope to see more of him. Good match, better than the last two.

Rating: ** 3/4

London Riots vs South Pacific Power Trip:

This was TK Cooper and Dahlia Blacks last match in PROGRESS for a span of six months due to a visa issue and heading in, emotions were running wild as my favorite tag team wont be tagging for quite some time. During the entrance, you could just see the emotion on Dahlia’s face as she was near in tears. This match was action packed from start to finish, with funny little moments during it like TK getting emotional and starting to hug everyone before the ref grabbed his ass and Dahlia taking off the boot to hit Jamie from the London Riots. The ending moments were insane and overall so far the best match all night. TK and Dahlia took the mic after it all, getting please come back chants as the crowd chanted for them which had Dahlia and TK VERY emotional. Great match with a great moment afterwards.

Rating: ***1/4

There was a small moment where Jim called down Pastor William Eaver who ran 3  miles in a marathon earlier. They congratulated him before announcing him into Super Strong Style 16, their annual tournament.

#1 Contenders Match-Mark Andrews vs Mark Haskins:

 This match was better than I expected. Mark Haskins isn’t one of my favorites however Andrews is and they did well together. This was way better than both of their respective matches at Orlando during Wrestlemania weekend and it was a fun watch. The ending however was a bummer with the tap out/pin combo but it set up the main event for Chapter 48, Mark Andrews vs Mark Haskins vs Pete Dunne (c).

Rating: ***

Super Strong Style 16 Qualifier (If Robinson loses he leaves PROGRESS)- Jack Sexsmith vs Paul Robinson:

Sexsmith vs Robinson was very fun, seeing Jack take an aggressive role in the start was different. The crowd was behind Jack as usual, Robinson really laying it into Jack with his hits. There were two call backs to Ospreay with Robinson hitting both the Essex Destroyer AND an Oscutter before taking to the top to hit a Shooting Star Press. The last three or so minutes were very fast paced, with a well placed finish of Sexsmith reversing a curbstomp into a Crippler Cross Face. Robinson losing was for the best as he is stepping away to deal with a hereditary blood condition he has. Come back soon, Paul.

Rating: ** 1/4

Winners Take All- British Strong Style vs Ring Kampf:

This match truly had big match feels to it as everything was on the line. All six men tore it down, the action all over the place and the commentators even had a hard time covering the chaos. WALTER hit some vicious slap as usual, Bate showed off his freaking strength and Dieter Jr put it all on the line in his final PROGRESS match as he is signed to WWE. Great main event, had high stakes and the crowd was really behind Ring Kampf.

Rating: *** 1/2

Final Thoughts:
This was a solid show by PROGRESS, a good watch. The last four matches were good, the Riots/Power Trip match probably being the best of them all. Now we just move onto Chapter 48: Bang the Drum (Stay Tuned!)
Final Rating:
*** 3/4