PROGRESS Chapter 49: Super Strong Style 16 Day One 4/27/2017 Review

PROGRESS Chapter 49: Super Strong Style 16 Day One 4/27/2017:

PROGRESS Wrestling hosted their first three day weekend show, Super Strong Style 16. The tournament is usually two days, with sixteen competitors competing to become number one contender for the PROGRESS Championship. This is their third time doing the tournament, the pool of stars ranging from UKs own to Mexico to America.

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Nathan Cruz vs Jeff Cobb:

I am a big Cruz fan and was very excited for his first time being in SSS16. Cobb is a beast, the man does things he realistically shouldn’t. However that is why his nickname is ‘Mr. Athletic’. This was a decent opener and felt more like a squash than anything else. Cobb got an easy win and it somewhat ticked me off. Oh well, lets move on.

Rating: *1/2

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Mark Haskins vs Flash Morgan Webster:

Show two and Haskins new theme still sounds weird to me. Haskins played a more agressive and heelish side this time around, working over Websters injured ankle a lot. The commentators really drove the point in of them being friends. Haskins got a win with a sharpshooter to which he wrenched back on Websters ankle with. After the match they teased a bit of a descension between them, Webster clearly upset with Haskins targeting his ankle. Short but fun match, deserved more time.

Rating: **1/2

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Jimmy Havoc vs Travis Banks:

Banks has been the clear favorite to win SSS16 since being announced. Havoc had a change of theme from his infamous AFI I Hope You Suffer, to his ICW theme, Silent Descents Psychotic Euphoric. Banks as well had a clear theme change, going from the theme he used with TK Cooper to a Nails by Massive Wagons! Much like the crowd I was split between who I wanted to win. Really enjoyed a spot where Havoc threw chairs at Banks only for him to forearm them away and throw a chair of his own at Havoc head only for Havoc to yell and the two start brawling. Probably the longest match so far and it was good. The finish was weird with Havoc in control the last four minutes only for Banks to win off a Rain Maker reversal to where he stomped the head of Havoc a few times and hit a Kiwi Crusher. Regardless, good match.

Rating: ***

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Zack Sabre Jr vs David Starr:

This was round two between Zack Sabre Jr and David Starr, the first at CZW Sacrifice where Starr came up short. Zack, who hasn’t been in PROGRESS since Chapter 41 (Not counting the Orlando shows). This was David Starrs PROGRESS debut and a good way to introduce him to the PROGRESS fan base. This was a very technical based, WRESTLING match. Starr used his amateur background and Sabre Jr used his vast bag of submissions. Very good way to end the first half of the show and introduce Starr to the PROGRESS fan base. The finish of the ompolata/kick to the head combo from Sabre to Starr looked brutal. Starr got an ovation and a “Please Comeback!” chant from the crowd so its interesting to see if Starr will get booked after this weekend.

Rating: ** 3/4

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Zack Gibson vs Jack Sexsmith:

Coming back from intermission, it was time to kick off the second half of the show. Gibson got his usual sea of boos but Sexsmith got his usual and somewhat louder plethora of cheers. I will admit I’m going to miss “Touch Myself”, his previous theme but this new one suits him wayyyy better and Hot Tag Media did a great job. Sexsmith was mildly emotional during his entrance, very emotional. Gibson took over most of the match, Sexsmith playing the underdog as usual. There was a lot of near falls and both men looked great. Got a kick out of the spot where the crowd picked up Sexsmith and rolled him back into the ring. Sexsmith got the upset roll up win, a huge pop and emotional once again; good match, happy Sexsmith advanced!

Rating: *** 1/4

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- William Eaver vs Tyler Bate:

Just a week after losing his WWE UK Championship, Bate looked to get back on track and this was the right way too. This was another short, one sided match much like Cruz/Cobb was. Bate showed a dominate side, the “Tyler, Tyler, Tyler, Wheres Your Belt?” chants got under his skin and Bate showed a more vicious side.

Rating: *1/2

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Flamita vs Mark Andrews:

This is the match I was most looking forward too, Flamita is someone I have heard nothing but great things about and I know how good Mark is. Flamita had a very interesting offense, pulling out something I have never seen before; a Muscle Buster into a Jaw Breaker. Flamita got the win with a beautiful Spanish Fly out of no where. Very good match, fun and fast paced. I think I will check out more of Flamitas work when I get the chance!

Rating: ** 3/4

Super Strong Style 16 First Round Match- Trent Seven vs Matt Riddle:

Seven cut a mean promo on Riddle during introductions. Seven turned around, ate a knee and Riddle got the three…. WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK? Six Second main event, I would be pissed if I was in attendance as this was the main event. Ugh.

Rating: DUD

Final Thoughts:

This was a good start to Super Strong Style, minus the obvious (Cobb/Cruz, Riddle/Seven & Bate/Eaver). PROGRESS did great with introducing Starr and Flamita to the PROGRESS crowd, Sexsmith/Gibson being the match of the night for day one. Can’t wait to sink my teeth into night two next, so stay on the look out for it!

Overall Rating:

*** 3/4