Samoa Joe stormed into PROGRESS Wrestling for his only appearance at Chapter 14: Thunderbastard (30 March 2014), headlining the chaotic Thunderbastard event before stepping into the ring with home country powerhouse Rampage Brown in what became one of the most memorable encounters in early PROGRESS history.
From the opening bell, Joe unleashed his trademark blend of thunderous strikes, suffocating holds, and no-nonsense intensity. Rampage didn’t back down, responding with raw power and sheer grit, pushing Joe to his limits in a hard-hitting affair. The Camden crowd was electric—divided between chanting for the global icon and the British heavyweight stalwart—amplifying every chop, slam, and near-fall. Rampage nearly stole the win with a devastating big boot, but Joe closed the match with a brutal lariat, securing the pin after Rampage had narrowly escaped the Muscle Buster earlier in the bout.
That single match showcased everything that makes Samoa Joe elite. Long before adding WWE NXT Championship gold to his résumé, dominating as ROH World Champion, or capturing the AEW World Television Title, Joe brought his signature violence and presence to PROGRESS, leaving an impact that far outweighed the brevity of his visit.
It was a night that proved a simple truth: when Samoa Joe steps in the ring, he doesn’t just compete—he redefines the standard.
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Samoa Joe made his one and only PROGRESS Wrestling appearance at Chapter 14: Thunderbastard (30 March 2014), where he collided with Rampage Brown in a seismic heavyweight encounter inside the Electric Ballroom. It was a rare UK independent appearance for a global icon—and one that instantly entered the PROGRESS history books.
Arriving in PROGRESS with a fearsome reputation built across the globe, Joe’s victory over Rampage was delivered with his signature brutality: stiff strikes, thunderous slams, and a suffocating presence that left the Ballroom shaken. It was a moment where PROGRESS fans witnessed a living legend in his prime—just before the next chapter of his global dominance began.
By that time, Samoa Joe had already carved out a legendary career as a cornerstone of Ring of Honor, a multi-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and one of the most influential independent wrestlers of his generation. His fierce, hybrid style helped redefine heavyweight wrestling, blending MMA-influenced submissions with jaw-dropping agility.
Since his appearance in PROGRESS, Joe went on to reign in WWE as NXT Champion, win the United States Championship, and most recently capture the AEW World Television Title—proving his dominance across every major platform in modern wrestling.
Though his PROGRESS tenure was brief, Samoa Joe’s appearance left a lasting impression: a warning shot that one of the world’s most dangerous men had entered the Ballroom, conquered it—and then moved on.
One match. One night. One legend.
And when Samoa Joe enters, someone’s getting choked out.
The one Samoa Joe match is available to watch on DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.
