War Machine in PROGRESS Wrestling: A Legacy of Brutality and Brawling

Before they became household names in NXT and WWE, War Machine – the powerhouse tag team of Hanson and Ray Rowe, now known as Ivar and Erik in WWE – left a lasting impression on the British wrestling scene during a short but impactful run in PROGRESS Wrestling.

War Machine’s arrival in PROGRESS in mid 2016 added an international edge to the UK’s fiercely competitive tag team division. Known for their mix of size, speed, and unrelenting brutality, the American duo quickly became fan favourites for their hard hitting Tornado tag matches.

Their debut came at Chapter 33: Malice In Wonderland at the Electric Ballroom in London, where they unsuccessfully challenged The London Riots (James Davis and Rob Lynch) for the PROGRESS Tag Team Titles. Despite the loss, War Machine made an instant impact with their sheer physical dominance and crowd pleasing energy.

Just two weeks later, at Chapter 34: Keep It Unreal in Manchester, they faced the Riots again – this time in a Tornado Tag Team Title match – but were once again narrowly defeated in a brutal war of attrition. That loss was followed by a standout singles performance from Hanson at ENDVR:17, where he defeated TK Cooper in a bout that underlined both men’s future star power.

War Machine returned to PROGRESS nearly a year later in July 2017, taking on another top tier British tag team – The London Riots – at Chapter 51: Screaming For PROGRESS in Birmingham. This time, War Machine scored a decisive victory, finally notching a win on PROGRESS soil. The match was a gritty, no frills brawl that showcased both teams’ physical styles.

Their final PROGRESS appearance came at Chapter 52: Vote Pies in Manchester, where they challenged British Strong Style (Tyler Bate and Trent Seven) for the PROGRESS Tag Team Championships. In what many consider their best match in the promotion, War Machine pushed the champions to their limits in a Tornado Rules bout that lasted over 23 minutes. Despite coming up short, the match remains a highlight of PROGRESS’s tag team legacy and a testament to War Machine’s influence during their brief but memorable run.

Match recap includes War Machine vs The London Riots at Chapters 33, 34 and 51, War Machine vs British Strong Style at Chapter 52, and Hanson vs TK Cooper at ENDVR 17. Their PROGRESS tenure may not have included championship gold, but it cemented War Machine as one of the most respected and feared teams in the international scene during the mid 2010s. Their relentless work rate and crowd connection helped elevate every team they faced, contributing to PROGRESS’s rise as a globally recognised brand.

After making their names globally in promotions like Ring of Honor and NJPW where they won the IWGP Tag Team Championships, Hanson and Rowe signed with WWE in 2018, reporting to NXT under the name War Raiders.

In NXT, they debuted at TakeOver New Orleans in April 2018 and quickly rose through the ranks. Rebranded as Rowe and Hanson, they made waves with their intensity and chemistry. At NXT TakeOver Phoenix in January 2019, the War Raiders defeated The Undisputed Era to become NXT Tag Team Champions, marking the peak of their run in the brand.

They successfully defended the titles multiple times and were fan favourites due to their high impact style and surprising agility for big men – especially Hanson, whose top rope cartwheels and dives amazed crowds.

Upon moving to WWE Raw in April 2019, they were briefly rebranded as The Viking Experience before settling on The Viking Raiders, now known as Erik and Ivar.

Their main roster tenure has been a rollercoaster. They captured the RAW Tag Team Championships in October 2019 and remained competitive in the tag division, known for hard hitting matches against teams like The Usos, The New Day, and Street Profits.

However, their momentum was sometimes stifled by inconsistent booking and comedy segments including the infamous Anything You Can Do, We Can Do Better series with The Street Profits. Injuries also played a part, with Ivar suffering a serious neck injury in 2020 that sidelined the team for months.

They returned to full time action in 2021, reintegrating into the tag division with renewed aggression. Their most recent runs have seen them embrace a more intense Viking persona, often accompanied by manager Valhalla.

Despite the ups and downs on WWE’s main roster, The Viking Raiders remain one of the most unique and physically gifted tag teams of the past decade. Their roots in the independent scene including PROGRESS laid the foundation for their ascent, showcasing the international strength and appeal of heavyweight tag team wrestling.

Whether they were War Machine, War Raiders, or The Viking Raiders, their mission has always been the same – conquer, destroy, and entertain. Their time in PROGRESS remains a vital chapter in their journey from indie sensations to global superstars.

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