PROGRESS SSS16 Preview Part One

By @specficluchador

On the 29th and 30th May, PROGRESS host their second annual Super Strong Style 16 tournament to determine the number one contender to Marty Scurll’s PROGRESS World Championship. Last year, Will Ospreay emerged victorious from a star-studded field to go on to successfully dethrone Jimmy  Havoc, the then 600+ day champion, to be crowned the PROGRESS Champion for the first time.

The Format

For those unfamiliar with the SSS16, the tournament first round matches are drawn at random, with the winner progressing to the next round and the loser being eliminated. This process continues until a winner of the tournament-and new number on contender- is crowned on the second day.

This year, PROGRESS have assembled some of the finest independent talent in the world to battle over two days  and we here at Kayfabe Today are incredibly excited.

Here is a primer for eight of the participants in the tournament.

The Participants: part one

Mikey Whiplash

Although Whiplash has made intermittent appearances in PROGRESS over the past year, he left a lasting impression at Chapter 29: Tommy End appeared to have Marty Scurll defeated until darkness engulfed The Electric Ballroom. The lights revealed a figure seldom seen in the Ballroom: Mikey Whiplash. Chair in hand, Whiplash proceeded to obliterate Scurll, causing the DQ before turning his attention to Tommy End, proclaiming that this was supposed to be his time

In ICW, Whiplash has gained a reputation as one of most fearless hardcore wrestlers in the world. However, Whiplash possess impeccable mat skills which, with the right opponent in the SSS16, will be on display over the 29th and 30th.

Sami Callihan

Whilst in NXT under the moniker Solomon Crowe, Callihan was given few opportunities relative to his name coming into WWE. Since requesting his release from NXT, Sami Callihan been on a tear, earning critical acclaim wherever he has laced up his boots. Announced as the first participant in this year’s SSS16, Callihan makes his PROGRESS debut in the London based promotion’s biggest weekend of the year.

Mark Haskins

Arguably one of the favourites to emerge victorious from the tournament, Mark Haskins is widely considered as one of the most underrated talents on the UK scene in the face of Will Ospreay, Marty Scurll and Zack Sabre Jr earning recognition in the US. Despite such consistent performances, the PROGRESS Championship has remained elusive to Mark Haskins, who has come close to winning the title on numerous occasions. SSS16 represents the first opportunity for Haskins to take one step closer to the title that has thus evaded him.

Tommy End

After witnessing his hopes of gaining the PROGRESS Championship dissipate at the hands of Mikey Whiplash at Chapter 29, End demanded entrance into the SSS16 which he was duly granted. Over the past two years, Tommy End has established himself as one of the best in Europe, seamlessly merging the styles of pro wrestling and Dutch Kick-Boxing.

End was eliminated in the first round last year by Roderick Strong and, considering the added motivation of coming so close to Championship glory at Chapter 29, nothing short of a tournament victory here will satiate The Anti-Hero.

Pete Dunne

Over the past eighteen months, Pete Dunne has established himself as one of the finest young talents in Europe with impressive performances in RevPro, ATTACK and Southside. Poised to be one of the break out stars from Britain in the coming years, Dunne enters SSS16 as a little known entity in PROGRESS, only appearing twice over the past year-one of which was defeat to Jack Gallagher to in a qualifier to  earn a spot in WWE’s Global Cruiserweight Classic at Chapter 29.

Dunne has the ability to have great matches with a host of different styles and a long stint in the SSS16 will further testify to his abundant potential.

Rampage Brown

One of two former PROGRESS Champions participating in this year’s SSS16, Rampage Brown takes momentary leave from the BIG LAD’s Division in search of the premier prize in PROGRESS. Last year, Rampage Brown was eliminated in the quarter final stage against Roderick Strong and will hope to advance further this year in his quest to become the first ever two time PROGRESS Champion.

Matt Cross

Matt Cross, the second import announced for SSS16 and the man behind Lucha Underground’s Son of Havoc, makes his PROGRESS debut following his debut in ICW a couple of months ago. Stalwart of the US independent scene, in recent years Cross’ reputation has grown thanks primarily to his work in Lucha Underground. Although Cross must be considered a long shot to emerge from SSS16 victorious, Cross’ participation in the tournament offers a number of intriguing potential match ups.

Damon Moser

Damon Moser was named the first ever Pro-Jo graduate to enter the SSS16 a couple of weeks ago: a testament to PROGRESS’ faith in Moser. Moser impressed with a string of solid performances on both chapter and ENDVR Shows and has developed tangibly since being cast away from the Faceless group at last year’s SSS16. Since then, Moser proceeded to go on a year long unbeaten streak before succumbing to Pastor William Eaver in the final of the third Natural Progression Series. Although victory is unlikely, SSS16 represents an opportunity to impress more fans with a  good showing.