Coming off her 17th successful title defense at PROGRESS Chapter 172, Rhio is riding high. Her showdown with Lizzy Evo wasn’t just any match—it was the first time Rhio headlined the legendary Electric Ballroom, and she didn’t waste a second, diving straight into battle with Evo before the bell even rang. This match, which also marked PROGRESS’s debut on Triller TV+, had fans on the edge of their seats, especially after Evo shockingly kicked out following Rhio’s package piledriver through a table. It’s clear Rhio brought a new level of intensity and evolution to her game, debuting the dragon sleeper to finally put Evo away.

In this exclusive interview, Rhio opens up about her mindset, the pressure of representing the PROGRESS Women’s Division, and what it was like to receive such an incredible ovation from the fans after the match. She shares her excitement about taking the championship to the United States on her upcoming tour and how her recent #25 ranking in the PWI Women’s 250 fuels her to keep pushing forward. Looking ahead, Rhio is also vocal about wanting a Super Strong Style 16 tournament for the women of PROGRESS, firmly believing they’ve more than earned it. Here’s Rhio on what this match, this year, and the future of PROGRESS mean to her.

Congratulations on your 17th successful title defence! You didn’t wait for the bell and went straight at Lizzy Evo from the start. What drove you to bring that intensity?

I’m sick of people thinking because I’m nice I’m a push over.

This was your first time main-eventing the Electric Ballroom. How did it feel to close out the night in such an iconic venue, especially with the crowd so invested in the action?

It meant so much to main event PROGRESS at the Electric Ballroom, especially with it being the first PROGRESS show on Triller TV+ as well, there was a lot of pressure and responsibility, but PROGRESS know what their women can do and we showed that.

One of the biggest moments in the match was the table spot, where you hit Lizzy Evo with a package piledriver, yet she still managed to kick out. Were you shocked by her resilience?

100% the package piledriver is what I know will finish the job for me, so when we went through the table as much as it hurt me also, I was thinking that was it, job done!

We saw you debut a new finish, the dragon sleeper, to finally put Lizzy Evo away. Can you tell us about why you chose that move and what it means for your evolving style as champion?

My goal in every match is to win and keep the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship so it’s vital I evolve and keep things fresh. I know people are watching me so they know what I do. Change/evolution is so important to me.

After such an intense rivalry, you and Lizzy shook hands in a show of mutual respect. How much did it mean to you to share that moment, especially given her toughness in this match?

Respect where respects due. I keep saying PROGRESS has the best women’s division in Europe. I don’t imagine that’s the end of this, but I think respect was definitely earned on both sides.

The ovation you received at the end was incredible. What was going through your mind during that moment, and how important has the support of the fans been in your journey as champion?

That will go down as one of the best moments in my career. That ovation just really drove home what we did. All I could feel was gratitude and happiness. The fans at PROGRESS are amazing and having their support has helped me from my debut all the way to winning and keeping the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship.

Being ranked #25 in the PWI Women’s 250 is a huge accomplishment. What does that recognition mean to you, and how has it motivated you to keep pushing forward in your career?

You’re heading to the USA soon for a tour. How excited are you to represent PROGRESS overseas?

I’m very excited to be going to the US and I can’t wait to mix it up with their talent, but to be going as PROGRESS Women’s World Champion means the world to me. I walked into Philly as champ and walked out the exact same. I intend on doing the same this time around.

Lastly, do you think the main event proved why you believe the women of PROGRESS should get their chance at a Super Strong Style 16 tournament?

Of course, 100%. The women have proven time and time again that we are capable of great things. The past 2 SSS16’s, the one and only women’s match of the whole weekend has stolen the show. We main evented a huge show, the first PROGRESS show on Triller TV+ with all the pressure and responsibility on our shoulders and we smashed it. There is a reason we are the best in Europe.

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