“This. Is. Progress.” – The Story of How PROGRESS Wrestling Changed the Game for British Wrestling

In the heart of London, inside music venues turned wrestling battlegrounds, a chant would echo through a sold-out crowd with beers in hand and passion in their lungs:

“This is Progress! This is Progress!”

From humble beginnings to becoming a driving force in the British wrestling renaissance, PROGRESS Wrestling’s story is not just about matches and moments. It's a tale of rebellion, community, creativity, and undeniable influence. This blog dives deep into how PROGRESS helped redefine the British wrestling landscape — culturally, creatively, and globally.

The British Wrestling Scene Before PROGRESS

To understand the seismic impact PROGRESS had, we must rewind to the early 2000s and take a hard look at the UK wrestling scene at the time.

British wrestling, once a staple of TV with World of Sport and household names like Big Daddy and Giant Haystacks, had faded into the shadows. The decline came after ITV pulled wrestling from its regular programming in the late 80s. What followed was a wilderness period, marked by scattered shows in leisure centres, crumbling halls, and a lack of national visibility.

While passionate promoters and performers kept the flame alive — companies like All Star Wrestling, FWA (Frontier Wrestling Alliance), and IPW:UK tried to modernize the product — British wrestling lacked a true cultural identity in the 21st century. The scene needed a revival. It needed something gritty, real, loud, and different. It needed PROGRESS.

The Birth of PROGRESS: Punk Rock Pro Wrestling

PROGRESS Wrestling was founded in 2011 by comedian Jim Smallman, actor Glen Joseph, and promoter Jon Briley. From day one, the company’s mission was clear: To present pro wrestling with the heart of punk rock and the soul of London. It wasn't just about wrestling. It was about culture, attitude, and community.

Their first show, “Chapter 1: In The Beginning,” took place in March 2012 at The Garage in Islington. With 300 fans packed shoulder-to-shoulder in a sweaty venue more suited for metal gigs than piledrivers, something clicked. The atmosphere was electric. Fans weren’t just observers—they were participants. They were the movement.

The PROGRESS Aesthetic: Grit Over Gloss

PROGRESS wasn’t trying to be WWE-lite. It leaned into its underground vibe. The production was raw. The venues were intimate. The language was unfiltered. The logo was a fist. It screamed rebellion and authenticity.

Smallman, who also served as the ring announcer, would welcome the crowd with foul-mouthed humour and heartfelt rants. He didn’t pretend to be neutral — he was one of us. The company’s ethos connected deeply with disenfranchised wrestling fans who wanted storytelling with edge, matches with heart, and a sense of belonging.

This punk, DIY aesthetic attracted a fiercely loyal fanbase. PROGRESS didn’t need TV deals — it had buzz. It had fire. And soon, it had stars.

Launching British Stars Into the Stratosphere

PROGRESS’s impact can be measured by the calibre of talent who came through its doors. Many wrestlers now lighting up WWE, AEW, and NJPW honed their craft or found their breakthrough in a PROGRESS ring.

Tyler Bate. Pete Dunne. Trent Seven. Zack Sabre Jr. Will Ospreay. Jimmy Havoc. Marty Scurll. Mark Andrews. Toni Storm. Jinny. Walter (Gunther). The list is staggering.

PROGRESS didn’t just book these talents — it gave them space to evolve, to build their characters, to test themselves in front of passionate crowds.

• Jimmy Havoc’s 609-day reign as PROGRESS Champion — which turned him into a cult hero and the company’s first great villain — was a landmark in British wrestling storytelling.

• Will Ospreay’s jaw-dropping athleticism took him from indie darling to global icon.

• Pete Dunne’s brutal style and charisma became synonymous with a new British Strong Style, one that felt worlds away from World of Sport grappling.

In many ways, PROGRESS was a talent factory. But it wasn’t a machine. It was a proving ground — a place where talent could be raw, real, and different.

The Storytelling Revolution

Wrestling lives and dies by its stories. PROGRESS didn’t just put on matches; it crafted long-form storytelling that rewarded fans’ investment.

Feuds spanned years, not months. Heel turns meant something. Title reigns were earned through emotional arcs, not sudden swerves. And crucially, the fans were part of the narrative.

• The Rise and Fall of Havoc, and his betrayal of Smallman, became a modern myth in British wrestling.

• British Strong Style’s war with Ringkampf (featuring Walter and Thatcher) brought a fight feel that echoed across Europe.

• The Atlas Title, designed for big men only, was more than a belt — it was a statement about inclusivity for all styles of wrestling.

In short, PROGRESS raised the bar. It told mature, multi-layered, sometimes controversial stories — echoing the golden days of ECW and ROH, but with a uniquely British voice.

The PROGRESS Audience: A Community, Not Just a Crowd

The energy of a PROGRESS crowd is unlike anything else. These weren’t casual fans — they were the hardcore faithful. They had chants for everything. They followed the Chapter system like sacred scripture. They came early, stayed late, and drank pints like it was a sport.

But beyond the fun and noise, the PROGRESS audience was a community. It was a safe space for people of all genders, races, and backgrounds to express their love of wrestling without judgment. That inclusive atmosphere — championed by the founders and echoed by the roster — made PROGRESS more than a brand.

It was a home.

Working with WWE – Opportunity or Controversy?

In 2017, PROGRESS began collaborating with WWE through the NXT UK brand. For fans, this was a double-edged sword. On one hand, it was validation — WWE had noticed. On the other, it raised concerns about creative freedom, talent raiding, and the homogenisation of the British scene.

Some saw the partnership as selling out; others saw it as leveling up. Truthfully, it was both.

The WWE relationship gave PROGRESS greater visibility and financial stability, but also led to the departure or limited use of many key talents. As WWE’s NXT UK absorbed much of the scene, including stars and venues, some of PROGRESS’s raw energy began to fade.

Still, the legacy of PROGRESS in building those stars cannot be denied. Without PROGRESS, NXT UK may not have existed at all.

The Pandemic and Rebuilding: A Tough Chapter

Like many indie promotions, PROGRESS was hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. With live shows halted and momentum lost, the company struggled to maintain its identity. The Speaking Out movement in 2020 — where many talents across the British scene were accused of misconduct — also forced PROGRESS to reevaluate its leadership and roster.

They made changes. Apologies were issued. A new creative team was brought in. But the scars lingered. For many fans, trust was broken.

But PROGRESS didn’t die. It restructured. It rebooted. Chapter 127 in 2022 marked a return to live events, and with it, a new era began — one focused on redemption, diversity, and the future.

The Legacy: What PROGRESS Gave British Wrestling

PROGRESS Wrestling gave British wrestling a gift it had forgotten: belief.

Belief that British wrestling could be cool again.

Belief that storytelling, not just star power, could drive success.

Belief that a homegrown company could change the industry from the inside out.

It created stars. It created moments. It created noise.

Today, even as the UK wrestling scene continues to evolve — with new promotions like RevPro, NORTH, and DEFY UK stepping up — the fingerprints of PROGRESS are everywhere.

The Future: Still Progressing?

So where does PROGRESS go from here?

The answer is uncertain — but full of potential. With new management, new voices, and a renewed focus on homegrown talent, PROGRESS can once again be the flag-bearer for a fresh generation of British wrestling.

They have the name. They have the platform. They have the history.

All that’s needed is the fire.

Conclusion: “This. Is. Progress.” Forever.

In the grand story of British wrestling, PROGRESS will be remembered not as a footnote — but as a chapter that turned the tide.

It brought British wrestling out of the shadows and into the spotlight.

It helped fans fall in love again — or for the first time.

It gave the world a front-row seat to British Strong Style, to Havoc’s rampage, to Ospreay’s flight, to Dunne’s brutality, to a movement.

PROGRESS Wrestling didn’t just change British wrestling. It made it matter again.

And for that, we chant — now and forever:

“This. Is. PROGRES