The final chapter of 2025 is drawing in, and once again, it has been a year to remember at PROGRESS Wrestling with countless memories and moments.
With the final show of the year now on the horizon, Chapter 188: UNBOXING VIII – In Search of Socks, at Camden’s iconic Electric Ballroom on Sunday 28th December, get yourself in the mood by reliving some of the most iconic moments of the year…
Rayne Leverkusen defends Women’s Championship three times
For Rayne Leverkusen, her PROGRESS journey in 2025 could not have gone any better.
The Maiden of Metal made her PROGRESS debut at Chapter 175: UNBOXING VII – The Curtain Call in December 2024, and she has since gone onto enjoy a fine year competing inside a PROGRESS Wrestling ring.
Defeating Rhio at Chapter 185: Jump The Line at the Electric Ballroom in October, Rayne went onto defend her title at Chapter 186: Noisy Neighbours in Manchester, overcoming Session Moth Martina.
Leverkusen once again secured the title at Chapter 187: VENDETTA 3 when she beat Emersyn Jayne.
Lio Rush returns to PROGRESS in Man Like DeReiss title showdown
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion, Lio Rush, was back in the PROGRESS ring to take on Man Like DeReiss for the Men’s Championship at Chapter 185: Jump The Line.
The two wrestlers were no strangers, having faced each other at Chapter 150: When The Man Comes Around, and in front of a capacity crowd inside Camden’s Electric Ballroom, they did battle again, with the Men’s Championship on the line.
Rush had come out on top in their previous meeting; however it would be DeReiss’ day as he retained his title crown against Rush after beating Charlie Sterling at Chapter 184: Camden Lock Up.
Lio has since fought at two further PROGRESS shows, losing out to Cara Noir in a singles match at Chapter 186: Noisy Neighbours prior to defeating Scott Oberman and Tommy Tanner in a three way match at Chapter 188: VENDETTA 3.
Nina Samuels loses the Loser Leaves PROGRESS match at Chapter 184: Camden Lock Up
Nina Samuels said goodbye to PROGRESS following her defeat against Kanji at Chapter 184 in October.
The match between two rivals was an epic eliminator, with the loser leaving PROGRESS.
In an exciting clash filled with dramatic moments, including accidental contact with the referee, a replacement official being struck, and the action spilling onto the entrance stage and commentary table. Samuels landed her “Star Struck” finishing move for a near fall, but Kanji recovered and applied a Kimura arm-lock, forcing Samuels to submit and consequently end her time inside a PROGRESS Wrestling ring.
Man Like DeReiss wins PROGRESS Wrestling’s Super Strong Style 16
Man Like DeReiss was king of the PROGRESS ring after winning our 2025 Super Strong Style 16 in a thrilling finale at Camden’s Electric Ballroom.
DeReiss pinned his tag team partner and best friend, Leon Slater, in the tournament final on May 5th to capture the prestigious SSS16 prize. He sealed the victory with a spectacular Four Fiddy splash off the top rope, bringing the crowd to its feet as the three-count was made.
The hard-fought final – which pitted two members of the “Boisterous Behaviour” tag team against each other – was a match-of-the-year contender.
In earning this accolade, the Birmingham-born high-flyer – nicknamed “The Lyrical Dragon” for his charisma and lyrical flow – has etched his name in PROGRESS history alongside past winners like Will Ospreay, Tommy End, Zack Sabre Jr and last year’s champion, Luke Jacobs.
Dean Allmark returns to PROGRESS Wrestling
Chapter 186: Noisy Neighbours in Manchester marked the return of Dean Allmark to the PROGRESS ring after two-years away.
Dean competed in a pre-show bonus match for Hooked On Wrestling TV against Kouga formally known as Owadasan, from Noah in Japan, and he was pleased to be back in a wrestling ring following recent surgery on two slipped discs in his spine at the 02 Ritz in Manchester.
Allmark told progresswrestling.com: “It’s been a long journey. This has been three years of being injured with my two slipped discs in my spine.
“Obviously I had my surgery seven or eight weeks ago, this is my first match back, and I didn’t come out with the victory, but I felt like it was a personal victory to go in there, fight hard and to have a really good match.”
Gene Munny wins PROGRESS Atlas Championship at 100 volts
Gene Munny realised a career milestone at Chapter 183: 100 Volts, winning the PROGRESS ATLAS Championship for the first time in his storied run with the company.
The match itself was every bit hard-hitting that you expect from the ATLAS division. Outgoing champion Mike D Vecchio, already rumoured for pastures new, thrilled the crowd with fearless dives, while Will Kroos imposed his power with buckle bombs, piledrivers and even a massive Spanish Fly on the champion.
Martina’s interference appeared to prove costly when Munny accidentally floored her with a clothesline, opening the door for Kroos to seize the advantage. The “#1 Nephew” appeared to have the title won after a crushing piledriver on Vecchio, but Munny played his hand at the perfect moment, shoving Kroos aside and taking the pin on the Belgian.
Paul Walter Hauser makes UK Wrestling debut for PROGRESS at Chapter 183: 100 volts
It was a day for the history books at Camden’s Electric Ballroom in August when Grammy-award winning actor Paul Walter Hauser made his UK Wrestling debut for PROGRESS – securing victory in the process.
Hauser was involved in a PROGRESS Proteus Title Four Way Fans Bring The Weapons Match against Bullit and Charles Crowley and Simon Miller.
In a fascinating match, Hauser prevailed as he continues to make huge strides in the world of professional wrestling.
With plenty more to come from Hauser in 2026, there will be plenty more twists and turns along the way.
UNBOXING returns later this month, and anything could happen, so don’t miss out on the action!
Following exciting shows across our UK locations and internationally, it has been another successful year for PROGRESS Wrestling, and 2026 promises to be just as exciting.
Tickets can now be purchased for the three following shows by clicking below:
Sunday 28th December 2025: Chapter 188: UNBOXING VIII – In Search of Socks (Camden Electric Ballroom)
Sunday 25th January 2026: Chapter 189: In Darkest Night (Camden Electric Ballroom)
Friday 20th February 2026: Chapter 191: For The Love of PROGRESS (Bowlers’ Exhibition Centre, Manchester)