PROGRESS Wrestling Chapter 175 Review: The seventh ever UNBOXING show was as unpredictable and shocking as it was fun, with new champions crowned, debuts made and returns ahoy!
Singles Match: El Hijo Del Vikingo vs Kid Lykos II
The Electric Ballroom was abuzz with excitement for the highly anticipated bout between El Hijo del Vikingo, one of the most innovative high-flyers in the world, and Kid Lykos II, the underdog representing the infamous Lykos Gym looking to prove he belongs with the world’s best.
El Hijo del Vikingo set the tone with his breathtaking agility and gravity-defying manoeuvres, whether it was his rope-assisted tornado DDT or his signature dives to the outside, Vikingo displayed an unparalleled level of athleticism that left the audience in awe.
Kid Lykos II, however, proved he was not to be outdone. Leaning into his trademark tenacity, Lykos used cunning counters and precise strikes to ground the high-flying superstar before proving his own aerial abilities.
At the 16-minute-mark a senton powerbomb sadly saw Vikingo tweak his knee and the match was thrown out due to injury as a no contest. The crowd were treated to an excellent opener despite it and cheered the efforts of both men as they hugged and raised eachothers arms.
It was not a happy ending for Kid Lykos II however, as he was ambushed by Connor Mills and Nico Angelo just as the team of Diamond Eyes had done multiple shows previous – before a save was made by his Lykos Gym partner, Kid Lykos.
ATLAS Championship Match: Axel Tischer (C) vs Big Damo
The clash between Axel Tischer and Big Damo at PROGRESS Chapter 175: Unboxing VII delivered exactly what fans hope for in ANY ATLAS Championship match. a bruising encounter that highlighted the raw power, technical prowess, and fierce determination of two top-tier heavyweights.
It was a surprise that the former Tag Team Champions were facing off with eachother of course, after signalling their disappointment that they wouldn’t be facing Sunshine Machine on this show, Big Damo proclaimed that iron sharpens iron and he suggested a match between the pair to spar in preparation for the upcoming duel with TK and Mambo.
Tischer soon agreed and the match was on. A match that had plenty of heavy hits, strikes and power moves that ultimately saw the champion victorious having shown the world just how good both members of SAnitY are!
Singles Match: Alexxis Falcon vs Charles Crowley
Charles Crowley made his first appearance in PROGRESS since being betrayed by Session Moth and the PROGRESS fans were delighted to see him. He cut a promo saying who had the balls to face the Spectacular One and the Ballroom exploded when the challenge was answered by none other than his Cheeky Little Bugger teammate.
After months out through injury, Alexxis Falconstepped into the squared circle for the first time here and was clearly overcome with the emotion of the moment and the reaction from the PROGRESS fans. It was a truly special moment.
The match itself was very interesting as Alexxis was keen to have a friendly spar and offered hugs throughout only for Charles Crowley to deny them and even be as cheeky as to poke her in the eyes!
The match became more competitive with Alexxis almost picking up the win but for Charles Crowley to reach the rope with a single middle finger before eventually Alexxis picked up the win with a clever roll through pin.
The post-match promo was also must watch as Alexxis thanked Charles and the crowd for the special moments that Cheeky Little Buggers had but said its now time for both if them to show their true potential as singles wrestlers and with that the lights blacked out and when they came back on, she was nowhere to be seen, leaving Crowley alone in the ring.
Singles Match: Mark Haskins (w/Vicky Haskins) vs Michael Oku (w/Amira)
The crowd at the Electric Ballroom was electric for Michael Oku’s first match in the iconic venue in five years. The intensity and storytelling in this clash with Mark Haskins delivered on every level, combining technical prowess, high-stakes drama, and a little chaos outside the ring to craft a standout moment at Chapter 175.
Mark Haskins entered first, greeted by cheers for a cornerstone of the promotion. The energy in the Ballroom reached a fever pitch as Michael Oku’s music hit, with the crowd erupting in support for the returning “Master of the Half Crab.”
Vicky Haskins, always a wildcard, set the tone early by taking the microphone to warn Amira that interference wouldn’t be tolerated.
The match ramped up with several nail-biting nearfalls. Haskins hit a brutal short-arm clothesline and a Rebound Lariat, both of which seemed destined to end the match. Oku’s resilience shone through as he escaped Haskins’ grasp and locked in a Half Crab, only for Haskins to reach the ropes.
Oku unleashed a flurry of offense, including a flying knee and a dropkick into the corner. A Poison Rana from the top rope brought the crowd to its feet, setting up two consecutive frogsplashes – one to Haskins’ back and one to his stomach – that sealed the victory for Oku.
As expected in a match involving Mark and Vicky Haskins, chaos wasn’t far behind. Vicky played her part, distracting the referee at a critical moment, while Amira entered the ring to counter her interference. Despite the antics, Oku overcame the odds, adding to the drama and making his victory feel even bigger for the man who had his first ever pro match in a PROGRESS ring.
PROGRESS Tag Team Championship: Smokin’ Aces (C) vs MothDog vs Simon Miller & Jerry Bakewell
We all thought that was the end of the first half but Jerry Bakewell was interrupted by PROGRESS’ first family, Mothdog. They bullied Jerry a bit verbally before Simon Miller came out to even the odds and tell the Ballroom that the next match would be a tag team match! Before Jerry had the chance to properly accept the offer, our tag champions Smokin’ Aces arrived bemoaning the lack of seriousness on show.
With the microphone in his hand, Jerry Bakewell then utilised the responsibility to make the match a triple threat, and make it for the gold!
The match was great fun, with plenty of chaos on show and we were thoroughly sports entertained as well as left open mouthed at the sight of Will Kroos hitting a moonsault from the top rope to the outside!
The match broke down and all three teams came close to securing the win before Smokin’ Aces stole the win like usual, showing their winning mentality and just why they are the top team in the division.
Thunderbastard Match: Tate Mayfairs wins the key!
Tate Mayfairs defeated Lana Austin, Eddie Dennis, Session Moth Martina, Nico Angelo, Rayne Leverkusen, and Kid Lykos in a barnstorming Thunderbastard match. Tat had the opportunity to take the easy way out and cheat, but chose to not low blow Eddie Dennis or get hold of the tights in this match that also saw Rayne Leverkusen debut, but get caught by Lana Austin.
Rayne get her revenge later though, whilst Kid Lykos felt the pain of Nico Angelo who physically dominated him until he was DQed, but the big story was the win for Tate and after the match he thanked the fans for their unexpected support and said maybe we will see him later…
It was at this point that Eddie Dennis warned his friend that the easy unlocking that Dennis did to become PROGRESS Men’s World Champion plays on his soul and advised Tate to do it the right way, naming a time and place and beating the champion at their BEST.
PROGRESS Women’s World Championship Match: Rhio (C) vs Nina Samuels
One of the most shocking moments in PROGRESS Wrestling history unfolded at Chapter 175: Unboxing VII – The Curtain Call when Nina Samuels ended Rhio’s historic 434-day reign as the PROGRESS Women’s World Champion in controversial and dramatic fashion.
However, it was all a setup. Instead of Meiko Satomura, Nina Samuels appeared from the shadows, steel chair in hand. Samuels blindsided Rhio, attacking her viciously with the chair and leaving the champion crumpled on the mat. Adding insult to injury, Samuels hit Rhio with her own finishing move, the package piledriver, a symbolic move designed to humiliate the champion.
Grabbing a microphone, Samuels taunted the fallen Rhio, goading her into accepting an immediate title match. “If you’re a real fighting champion, you’ll defend your title right now!” Samuels sneered.
The match began—and ended—in a flash. Samuels wasted no time, immediately hitting her devastating Starstruck finisher. The referee counted to three, and in just 15 seconds, Nina Samuels was crowned the new PROGRESS Women’s World Champion.
The crowd erupted in chants of “Bullshit!” as Samuels arrogantly paraded around the ring, holding the championship aloft. Meanwhile, Rhio lay motionless on the mat, the medical team eventually assisting her to the back.
PROGRESS Men’s World Championship Match: Luke Jacobs (c) vs Leon Slater vs Man Like Dereiss vs RKJ
The PROGRESS Men’s World Championship was on the line in a thrilling four-way match as Luke Jacobs defended against three of the UK’s brightest young stars: Leon Slater, Man Like DeReiss, and Ricky Knight Jr. This fast-paced, hard-hitting encounter showcased the immense talent of all four competitors and delivered nonstop action from start to finish.
The action spilled to the outside, with all four men brawling around the ring. Jacobs, ever the opportunist, choked DeReiss in the ropes and landed a hard elbow. Knight answered back with a low blow, briefly evening the odds. In one of the night’s most jaw-dropping moments, Knight launched himself off the entrance stage with a flying elbow drop onto Jacobs, earning a massive reaction from the crowd.
Back in the ring, alliances were tested as DeReiss and Slater briefly worked together, hitting a team 3D on Knight. DeReiss followed with a spectacular 450 Splash for a nearfall, only for Slater to pull him from the ring. The tension between the often-teaming DeReiss and Slater boiled over, and the two began trading stiff forearm strikes before Slater hit a Slingshot Stunner and DeReiss countered with a German Suplex.
The match continued at a relentless pace, with each competitor hitting signature moves and earning believable nearfalls. Knight hit a Styles Clash on DeReiss, while Slater connected with a 450 Splash. Jacobs, now sporting a bloody forehead, made his presence known with a DDT and a brutal chair shot to Slater, reasserting his dominance.
DeReiss electrified the crowd with a Canadian Destroyer off the ropes, leaving all four men down in the ring as the audience erupted with chants of “This is PROGRESS!” The intensity only grew as the match headed into its final moments, with each competitor vying for the championship in a series of dramatic exchanges.
Just as it seemed Leon Slater had the match won with a 450 Splash on DeReiss, Jacobs seized the moment. He delivered a vicious chair shot to Slater’s head and followed up with a Jay Driller, securing the pinfall before Knight could intervene.
This match was a masterclass in blending technical wrestling, high-flying action, and storytelling. All four competitors shone, but it was Luke Jacobs’ resourcefulness and willingness to do whatever it took that allowed him to retain the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship.
A Night of High Drama at Chapter 175: UNBOXING VII
UNBOXING VII is available to watch on DEMAND PROGRESS PLUS.
You can also watch the replay now on Triller TV+
