PROGRESS Wrestling’s Chapter 169 Review: The Devil On My Shoulder was an electrifying night of intense competition and unforgettable moments, held at the iconic Electric Ballroom in Camden Town, London. The event opened with Axel Tischer successfully defending his Atlas Championship against Mike D.

The match was a masterclass in technical wrestling from Tischer, who expertly countered Mike D’s raw power and brute force as well as his surprising aerial ability for a man of his size. Tischer’s resilience and strategic approach were on full display, ultimately leading him to a hard-earned victory that set the tone for the night – the first of four championship matches that left the Ballroom fans in awe. Saddly for Tischer his night did not end well as he was attacked by the masked Smokin’ Aces who are out for a shot at SAnitY’s Tag Team gold…

The action continued with a high-octane singles first-time ever match between Man Like Dereiss and Kid Lykos II. Dereiss dazzled the crowd with his agility and innovative offense, deftly countering the fast, aerial manoeuvres of Lykos II. The thrilling back-and-forth had the audience on the edge of their seats, culminating in Dereiss securing a decisive win and solidifying his status as a rising star in the UK wrestling scene, just a week removed from his outstanding debut in DEFY the weekend prior.

After this match, Tate Mayfairs taunted the crowd by coming out to Eddie Dennis‘ music. He asked the crowd why they hated him so much and then Eddie Dennis di arrive and told him it was because he was fake. He knows the real Tate Mayfairs – the one who drove him to the hospital, does missionary work in Uganda and has worked his way up in the wrestling business from nothing. Edie offered him the opportunity to show his real self – the friend he knows – only for Tate to turn on him again with a punch to the face!

Controversy reigned in the bout between Gene Munny and Danhausen. Munny’s victory was tainted by outside interference by Taishi Ozawa, leading to a hotly debated finish that left fans of the very nice, very evil one, fuming. Danhausen may have lost on his UK debut, but he did get the last laugh however and Taishi had to embarrassingly carry Gene Munny to the back after the bell. Even in defeat, the PROGRESS fans still gave the debuting Danhausen a rousing ovation and would clearly like to see him back at a later date.

The Proteus Championship match between Robbo and Malik was a brutal, no-holds-barred contest that pushed both competitors to their physical and mental limits. With kendo sticks, chairs and steel steps at play throughout their gruelling, personal encounter this was certainly not for the faint of heart. Robbo’s ruthless aggression clashed with Malik’s tenacity in a bloody battle that left the audience in awe. With blood shed by both men, Robbo emerged victorious thanks to one of the most brutal finishes in Ballroom history, further cementing his reputation as a dominant force in PROGRESS Wrestling.

Interestingly, there was an altercation after the match between the Proteus Champion and Simon Miller, who was on commentary… will we see them clash in the future?

In the tag team division, BUSSY faced off against Charles Crowley and Session Moth Martina in a match filled with unexpected drama. Initially Crowley told the Ballroom crowd that he was happy to go it alone and not have a mystery partner, out of respect to Alexxis Falcon but Moth had other plans that would be revealed later. Despite initial signs of disarray, Martina and Crowley managed to secure the win. However, the victory was overshadowed by Martina’s shocking betrayal of Crowley post-match, adding a new twist to their ongoing love-hate relationship in the UK scene.

The pace of the show picked back up again with two men who are looking to be the future of the business. Leon Slater, already signed to TNA, maintained a relentless pace from start to finish. Aigle Blanc, one of the standout performers emerging from France in the last twelve months and coming off an impressive Super Strong Style 16, impressed with his high-energy offense. Despite Blanc’s spirited effort, the result was never in question, as Slater executed a picture-perfect 450 Senton to secure the win.

In the most personal match on the card outside of the main event, former Lana Austin Experience members collided in a hard-hitting showdown. Rob Drake carried the bulk of the workload for his team, with Lana Austin conserving her energy and only entering the fray when LA Taylor or Skye Smitson were down. However, in classic tag team fashion, Austin’s overconfidence led to her downfall. Believing they had the match won, she let her guard down, allowing Smitson to capitalize with a devastating modified Half Nelson Slam, securing the victory and delivering a satisfying conclusion to their intense rivalry.

The co-main events of the evening were nothing short of spectacular. Rhio defended her Women’s Championship against Lena Kross. The debuting Australian who has tag team experience in Japan with Nina Samuels already had anger to direct Rhio’s way and what better way to introduce themselves than becoming the world champion? In a fierce and technical bout that showcased the depth and talent of the women’s division in PROGRESS. Both competitors displayed incredible skill and determination, with Lena Kross showing out on her UK debut, but Rhio ultimately retained her title, further solidifying her reign as champion.

The pinnacle of the evening was the PROGRESS Championship match, where SSS16 winner Luke Jacobs challenged Kid Lykos. In a match that highlighted Jacobs’s raw power and relentless drive, he overcame the prideful and resilient Lykos to capture the championship by coming out of the gate quickly and never relenting in a dominant, quick win. Jacobs’ victory marked the beginning of a new era for PROGRESS Wrestling, as he stood tall as the new champion, to a shocked Electric Ballroom crowd that was primarily on the side of the now former champion.

Chapter 169: The Devil On My Shoulder left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the ongoing saga of PROGRESS Wrestling, as the promotion continues to push the boundaries in 2024 for athletic in-ring storytelling.

The next shows are Chapter 170 Wrestling Never Sleeps in August and Chapter 171 History is written by the Victors in September. Head to the DICE app to see these STACKED cards live and in person.