History was made at Camden’s Electric Ballroom on Bank Holiday Monday after Rhio was crowned the first-ever women’s Super Strong Style 16 winner, whilst Charles Crowley became the champion of the men’s competition’s 10th edition!
The stage was set for a dramatic final day of action, hosted by SoCal Val, with the curtain coming down on a memorable global tournament which has spanned across the United Kingdom, continental Europe and North America over a five month period.
Rhio secured a historic title after beating Gisele Shaw and Crowley defeated Charlie Sterling to join the SSS16 list of men’s champions.
Following the excitement of Day one, Crowley, Spike Trivet, Sterling and Jay Joshua were the last four men standing, whilst former WWE Star, Shotzi Blackheart, Gisele Shaw, former PROGRESS Women’s World Champion, Rhio, and Kanji battled it out for the first-ever women’s title.
The first women’s semi-final saw Gisele Shaw, who had previously lost her Women’s World Championship crown to Kanji, got her revenge in style. Last time out, Kanji slayed the dragon, this time, Shaw marched into the final.
In the second semi-final, it was the end of the road for Shotzi Blackheart after her impressive run in SSS16, as she was defeated by Rhio in a back and forth battle, which set up the final for the women’s division.
In the first men’s semi-final, Crowley saw off Joshua to book his place in the final, however he was then attacked by Diamond Eyes post-match, which put his appearance in the final in jeopardy.
There was more controversy in the second semi-final, where Sterling dispatched Spike to set up a clash against Crowley, which saw Spike take a battering from Bullit, who challenged The Sovereign Lord to a Blood Debt Match.
The men’s final of SSS16 would begin with Sterling requesting to be crowned champion by forfeit following an initial no-show from Crowley, however despite being beaten up by Diamond Eyes, Crowley returned to the ring to put in the defining performance of his career to date and securing the Super Strong Style 16 title in spectacular fashion, which changes the landscape of the PROGRESS Wrestling men’s division.
Elsewhere, Gene Munny defended his PROGRESS ATLAS Championship once again, getting the better of Jerry Bakewell. He will now face identical twin brother, KOUGA, who challenged him to a title defence.
There was a Women’s Tag Team bout between Sunday’s quarter-finalists, as LA Taylor and Skye Smitson teamed up as The Experience to beat Stephanie Maze and Hollie Barlow.
The losing men’s quarter-finalists from Sunday all returned to the ring, with Lio Rush coming out as the winner in a battle against Peter Tihanyi, Elijah Blum and Simon Miller.
The women’s semi-final results provided the platform for an intriguing final between Gisele and Rhio.
It would be Rhio who reigned supreme at the Ballroom, as the Leader of the Pack defeated The Quintessential Diva, which will enable her to earn a shot at reclaiming the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship as she reignites a rivalry with current champion, Alexxis Falcon, after their bout earlier this year.
Results:
Men’s semi-finals:
Charles Crowley def Jay Joshua
Charlie Sterling def Spike Trivet
Women’s semi-finals:
Gisele Shaw def Kanji
Rhio def Shotzi Blackheart
PROGRESS ATLAS Championship
Gene Munny (c) def Jerry Bakewell
Women’s Tag Team Match
The Experience def Stephanie Maze and Hollie Barlow
Men’s four-way match
Lio Rush def Peter Tihanyi, Elijah Blum and Simon Miller
Men’s Super Strong Style 16 final:
Charles Crowley (c) def Charlie Sterling
Women’s Super Strong Style 16:
Rhio (c) def Gisele Shaw
PROGRESS Wrestling returns for Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl 2, in Manchester on Sunday 7th June. Purchase your tickets here: