The road to Super Strong Style 16 immortality has now begun and for the first time, PROGRESS Wrestling will unleash two tournaments worldwide.

Both the men and women’s tournaments will start this month and first blood will be drawn this weekend. Trust us, you will not want to blink.

In May, we will crown our first ever women’s SSS16 winner and we already have a signed and sealed a blockbuster four matches, including a former WWE star involved.

Super Strong Style 16 kicks off this weekend in Germany for the men’s tournament opener at wXw A familiar face to PROGRESS Wrestling fans, Bobby Gunns, will face off against a man who is making his debut for our promotion, Elijah Blum, in Rüthen

Blum and Gunns will scrap it out to become the very first man through to the second round, so expect brutality, brilliance and a statement of intent as both men look to win the SSS16 tournament for the very first time.

Moving across Europe to Italy and the vibrant city of Milan, the first women’s match of the SSS16 tournament has been confirmed, as PROGRESS Wrestling ace Kanji, faces hometown hero Irene, in her own back yard.

Irene, a well-recognised star in Italy, will make her PROGRESS Wrestling debut and she will have the weight of a nation on her shoulders.

Can Irene carry the burden at SAJ, or will it be the most decorated women’s champion in PROGRESS Wrestling, Kanji, that progresses to the next round. Whatever happens, it is a must-see match at the end of the month in the Fashion Capital of the World.

“I am excited but at the same time honoured to participate in the first edition of SSS16, and I am certain that I will make my mark in the ring,” said Irene, ahead of her PROGRESS Wrestling debut.

“PROGRESS has always been a big goal for me, and stepping into the PROGRESS Wrestling ring for the first time during this historic SSS16 women’s event fills me with joy.”

But before Kanji and Irene face off, we are not done in Germany just yet and in wXw. On the 17th January, we will see teacher vs trainee, as Zoltan turns the table on his mentor, Peter Tihanyi in Bielefeld.

A young prospect, Zoltan is already receiving rave reviews for his performances, and he will be using the Super Strong Style 16 tournament to catapult himself to international stardom, just like past competitors including Leon Slater and Nick Wayne.

Zoltan said: “It has given me a lot of motivation being able to take part in such a prestigious tournament at such a young age.

“I have never had the chance to step into the Electric Ballroom but if this is my ticket to let it happen, then I will give it my all to finally get there.

For me to do that, I need to beat my former trainer, Peter, but I am ready. I am ready to step out of his shadow, and I am ready to show everyone who Zoltan is and I have no limits!”

Peter had a strong message for his former pupil: “Zoltan, you are going to be my first opponent, and I know how great you are. You are my former student, but I won’t go easy on you. I will beat you up so bad that you will finally realise you can never be as good as me.”

Fast-forward to 20th February at For The Love of Wrestling in Manchester and the women’s bracket explodes back to life in emphatic fashion.

Former WWE superstar Shotzi Blackheart, who lit up PROGRESS Wrestling in 2025 when she made her debut against Nina Samuels, collides with former PROGRESS Wresting women’s champion, Lana Austin.

Will Lana overcome arguably one of her toughest challenges yet inside a PROGRESS Wrestling ring and add another accolade to her already highly decorated CV, or will it be former WWE NXT tag team champion, Shotzi, that makes her way to the second round?

Speaking about Super Strong Style 16, Shotzi said: “Being a champion in Progress Wrestling means everything. This isn’t just any title this is a company with history, credibility, and real respect behind it.

“I don’t just want to have great matches here, I want to lead. I want to represent PROGRESS at the highest level, and you can only truly do that when you’re the champion.

“This is a statement moment for PROGRESS Wrestling, not a women get a turn moment, but a women take the wheel moment. For me personally, it’s a chance to be part of something historic and leave fingerprints all over it.”

Lana responded by saying: “First Women’s Super Strong Style? It is ready-made for Lana Austin, there’s no one more worthy of winning than me.

“Shotzi thinks she can come back to PROGRESS and steal my opportunity? I don’t think so. This is my tournament, and no one will stop me, including Shotzi.”

From Deutschland to Italia and back to Manchester, Super Strong Style 16 2026 is globe-trotting like never before and we can’t wait.

Fasten your seat belts, there is so much more global action to come for Super Strong Style 16. We are just getting started!

Our first two UK shows of 2026 are now on sale and tickets can be purchased by clicking below.

Sunday 25th January 2026: Chapter 189: In Darkest Night (Camden Electric Ballroom).

Sunday 15th February 2026: Chapter 190: In Brightest Day (Camden Electric Ballroom).

Friday 20th February 2026: Chapter 191: For The Love of PROGRESS (Bowlers’
Exhibition Centre, Manchester).