Lana Austin vs Alexxis Falcon Announced for PROGRESS Chapter 183: 100 Volts

PROGRESS Wrestling has officially announced a high-stakes grudge match between Lana Austin and Alexxis Falcon for Chapter 183: 100 Volts, set to take place on Monday, 25 August at the Electric Ballroom in Camden, London. The bout marks a major development in a bitter rivalry that stretches back nearly two years and will see Falcon finally get another chance to confront the woman who derailed her championship ambitions.

Austin was originally scheduled to compete at Chapter 182: Stay Humble last month but controversially evaded wrestling that night, claiming a shoulder injury. Instead, she appeared only as a second to her ‘not’ best friend Hollie Barlow, who lost to Session Moth Martina with Austin looking on from ringside. There will be “no getting out of” facing Falcon this time, PROGRESS noted, after Austin’s last-minute dodge at Chapter 182. The 100 Volts showdown now ensures Austin must stand toe-to-toe with Falcon, renewing a feud fraught with personal animosity and unfinished business.

Long-Running Feud with Title Dreams Dashed

The animosity between Lana Austin and Alexxis Falcon is rooted in Falcon’s quest for the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship, a quest Austin cut short in cruel fashion. Falcon lost a high-stakes match to Austin in late 2023 that barred her from ever challenging for the women’s title again. Austin, who was then PROGRESS Women’s World Champion herself, has repeatedly rubbed salt in that wound.

In a scathing promo, Austin mocked Falcon’s dashed title hopes, sneering, “She wants that Women’s Championship, and she can’t go for it.” For Lana Austin, denying her rival a title opportunity was as good as victory; she even declared herself “the real winner” despite having lost her own match that night. Falcon, by contrast, has been left to watch from the sidelines of the title picture and she hasn’t forgotten who robbed her of that dream.

Falcon has maintained that she should be atop the women’s division, noting that reigning champion Rhio has never beaten her in PROGRESS. But with the championship off-limits to her, Falcon’s focus has zeroed in on settling the score with Austin. The upcoming Chapter 183 match will be Falcon’s first singles meeting with Austin since that 2023 stipulation bout, making it a chance at redemption.

Falcon has momentum on her side – in June, at Chapter 181 in Manchester, she scored a decisive win over Lana’s close associate Hollie Barlow, sending a message that she remains one of the division’s top competitors despite the title ban. Now, Falcon will finally meet Austin in the ring once more, in a match that could either vindicate her resilience or cement Austin’s dominance over her career.

The Hollie Barlow Factor

Adding an extra twist to the drama is the involvement of Hollie Barlow, a rising star who has been caught between the two veterans. Barlow is a self-professed superfan and “best friend” of Lana Austin – a one-sided friendship that has played out in recent chapters. Ever since debuting against Austin at For The Love of PROGRESS 3 earlier this year, Barlow has trailed the former champion like a shadow.

The “Lallie” duo (Lana + Hollie) has provided some bizarre comic relief in PROGRESS, with Barlow’s eager loyalty often met by Austin’s scorn. At Chapter 181, Barlow tried to help Austin during a match only to receive a cold glare rather than gratitude. Austin made it crystal clear that she hadn’t asked for any help and didn’t appreciate the gesture. When Barlow later proposed forming a tag team, Austin brutally rebuffed her protégée – going so far as to tell Hollie, “You’re just a pain in my ass,” before storming off and leaving Barlow in tears.

Despite that humiliation, Barlow has remained by Austin’s side, including stepping in to wrestle on Austin’s behalf at Chapter 182 when Lana feigned injury. This toxic mentorship has drawn concern from none other than Alexxis Falcon. Falcon publicly warned the younger Barlow to stay away from Austin, citing Lana’s long history of betraying those close to her. Falcon reminded fans that Austin has “repeatedly used, discarded, and moved on” from allies “when it suits her ambitions,” and urged Barlow not to be the next victim.

With Barlow seemingly under Austin’s spell – even dubbing herself Lana’s “BFF” on social media – it remains to be seen whether Falcon’s warning will hit its mark. Barlow’s role at 100 Volts could prove pivotal: will she continue to stand in Austin’s corner, or finally realise the danger of aligning with the “Queen of Mean”?

A Grudge Match Set for Chapter 183

All eyes now turn to Chapter 183: 100 Volts, which takes place on the August Bank Holiday Monday in London. PROGRESS officials announced the match on 30 July, noting that “their rivalry goes a long way back… don’t miss their next chapter.” The Austin vs. Falcon bout joins an already stacked card on 25 August, which will also feature Rhio vs. Kanji for the PROGRESS Women’s World Championship and a TLC PROGRESS Men’s World Title match between Luke Jacobs and Man Like Dereiss in the main event.

Chapter 183 is a chance to Lana Austin to dominance once and for all over an old adversary, and perhaps to prove that Falcon truly “can’t” reach the top as long as Lana stands in her way. Austin has never shied from mind games and underhanded tactics, so the question remains whether she has another trick up her sleeve or if she’ll finally have to back up her bravado in a fair fight.

Alexxis Falcon, on the other hand, comes in fighting not just for victory but for vindication. Falcon has openly stated that if she can’t compete for the women’s title, she’ll dedicate herself to shutting up bullies like Lana Austin. A win on 25 August would not only avenge Falcon’s most painful loss but also potentially put her back into the title conversation, stipulation or not.