Tate Mayfairs Wins the PROGRESS Thunderbastard Key and Sets His Sights on Luke Jacobs
At PROGRESS Chapter 175: Unboxing VII – The Curtain Call, Tate Mayfairs etched his name into the annals of PROGRESS Wrestling by winning the coveted Thunderbastard key. This victory grants him the opportunity to challenge for any PROGRESS Championship of his choosing, marking a career-defining moment for the self-proclaimed “greatest wrestler to ever walk planet earth.”
A Victory Hard-Fought in the Thunderbastard Match
To claim the Thunderbastard key, Mayfairs had to outlast six other formidable competitors: Kid Lykos, Rayne Leverkusen, Session Moth Martina, Eddie Dennis, Nico Angelo, and Lana Austin. The chaos and unpredictability of the match made it one of the night’s most thrilling contests, with alliances formed, broken, and reformed as the action unfolded.
The final showdown came to Mayfairs and Eddie Dennis, a pairing steeped in history and camaraderie outside the ring. While their friendship has been a cornerstone of their story, 2024 had been fraught with struggles to prove that bond in the ring. Dennis has long insisted that there’s a “good guy” inside Mayfairs, even as Tate’s actions often left both him and the fans questioning his true nature.
On December 29th, however, Tate Mayfairs appeared to turn over a new leaf. Throughout the match, Mayfairs and Dennis worked together, showcasing their undeniable chemistry as a duo. In the end, when faced with opportunities to take the easy route – be it through a low blow or bending the rules – Mayfairs chose honour over shortcuts. He secured the victory with a clean pin, earning both the key and the respect of the crowd.
A Heartfelt Post-Match Declaration
After the match, an emotional Mayfairs took the microphone to reflect on his journey. He recounted the years he spent paying his dues: stacking chairs, tying cables, driving imports, and putting in the unseen work behind the scenes. Now, he declared, he has earned his moment in the spotlight and his first singles championship opportunity.
As Mayfairs teased the possibility of unlocking his opportunity later that night, Eddie Dennis stepped in with a word of caution. Dennis recounted his own bittersweet experience of “unlocking” his opportunity against WALTER to win the unified PROGRESS World Championship, only to fall short of himself morally after targeting a weakened opponent rather than challenging them at their best. Taking this wisdom to heart, Mayfairs announced his decision: he will challenge Luke Jacobs for the PROGRESS Men’s World Championship at Chapter 177 on February 23rd.
“I want Luke Jacobs at his best” Mayfairs declared, solidifying his desire for a fair and honourable match rather than an opportunistic key unlocked.
Is Tate Mayfairs the Next PROGRESS Men’s World Champion?
With the key firmly in his grasp and a clear path to a title shot, Tate Mayfairs now stands on the precipice of TRUE greatness. His decision to challenge Luke Jacobs at Chapter 177 shows not only confidence in his abilities but also a newfound commitment to sportsmanship, a stark contrast to the opportunistic antics of his past.
Whether this signals a permanent transformation in Mayfairs’ character or simply a strategic play remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: on February 23rd, Tate Mayfairs will have the chance to prove that his long and arduous journey was worth every sacrifice.
Are we witnessing the rise of the next PROGRESS Men’s World Champion? Time will tell, but if the events of Chapter 175 are any indication, the future looks bright for Tate Mayfairs.
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