The internet is an opinionated place, and wrestling fans are some of the most opinionated people on the web. Visit any of the larger company’s forums and you will see varying degrees of praise and criticism, because wrestling is highly emotive issue to hardcore fans. The booker of a certain group’s storylines will be vastly different to the fantasy booking of the average fan watching live or from home.

PROGRESS are currently just over a month away from their biggest show to date at Wembley Arena on September 30th, and whilst not overwhelming, a sense of negativity seems to be permeating the final run-up to the show. PROGRESS Ultras are, by and large, a loyal bunch, so what are seen by fans as the mis-steps on the road to Chapter 76?

I know Wembley is going to be great and I will love every moment, but the build hasn’t been as smooth as previous big shows.

The main event for the show has so far been pushed as Pete Dunne facing Ilja Dragunov, which, whilst seen as somewhat of a dream match, is a showdown that has no stakes save for bragging rights. Add to that the fact that Dragunov has so far only made one appearance, at Chapter 69 in May, then this one isn’t exactly seen as a hot commodity in terms of storyline. In addition, the world title picture has been a bit of a mess with several changes to assumed plans happening along the way. Zack Sabre Jr’s withdrawal from the title match threw a spanner in the works, as did Tyler Bate’s initial injury at Super Strong Style 16 which prevented him from taking the shot in the first instance. In addition, Travis Banks lost his world title to Walter, and then was subsequently injured working elsewhere. You have to think that the Kiwi Buzzsaw would have played a large, important part in the show – and likely the world title match, possibly in a multi-man encounter.

The build to Wembley has been marred by the losses of Will Ospreay and Zack Sabre Jr. I am still excited for the show, but not as much as I was for Brixton or Ally Pally.

Again, the losses of Ospreay and ZSJ was beyond the company’s control, but have thrown a spanner in the works in a big way. The consequence of Sabre’s forced withdrawal was that PROGRESS introduced a ‘3 and In’ concept whereby three wins a row gets you into the Wembley title match. The remaining wrestlers who stand a chance of qualifying are Jimmy Havoc, Mark Haskins and… Tyler Bate! The problem with this is that there is no issue between champion and challenger leading to the match; in other words, no heat. The match will likely be excellent regardless of who qualifies for it, but for the biggest show in company history a bit of narrative would be very welcome. Previous big September shows have had long running feuds come to a head: Travis Banks vs. Pete Dunne, Tommy End vs. Mark Haskins vs. Marty Scurll – hopefully PROGRESS can pull something out of the bag. The build for Havoc and Ospreay began in earnest at Super Strong Style 16 in May, and had a compelling storyline attached to it as detailed on Wrestle Ropes earlier this month. Going out on a limb, and assuming that Havoc is not 3 and In, besides a big loan from WWE, Paul Robinson is the only replacement that may quash the disappointment of Ospreay’s absence. One more British chapter, plus a three date tour of Germany before Wembley may be enough to set this one up effectively. Robinson’s particular brand of vile viciousness is all that’s needed.

[PROGRESS] has literally just become like any other indy company.

This goes back to the fact that there are no real issues leading into any of the announced matches thus far. Matt Riddle and his mystery opponent will likely not have stood face-to-face in a PROGRESS ring in the build, Trent Seven and Doug Williams sort of came out of nowhere, the Thunderbastard tag team series has had numerous changes to its lineup (The 198, Timothy Thatcher, Bandido & Flamita), in addition to the minimal build for Dunne and Dragunov. The other matches that are assumed to be happening have excellent build with some small caveats. Toni Storm will presumably face Jinny in some sort of gimmick match in the latest part of their long running feud. An excellent match at Chapter 69 had the Primark Princess taking the strap, but has this one run on for a bit too long? These two ladies have been at odds for nearly 18 months and so it becomes difficult to see what the logical endpoint would be. Cage match? You would have to assume that Mark Andrews and Eddie Dennis will have their match opposite one another as a result of Dennis’ attack on his partner at Chapter 55 last September. Arguments have been made that this one has cooled off since the wild pull-apart brawl the two had at Chapter 73 last month. Whilst picking each other’s opponent isn’t the strongest way to go, there will surely be another memorable confrontation between the two before September, and this looks like the most heated match on the show. This leaves room for the likes of Spike Trivet (who may being the breakout star sooner or later), Chuck Mambo, Drew Parker, Millie McKenzie, Chris Ridgeway, Rampage Brown and others in need of a spot. Does the fact that there aren’t many big time, big name blood-feuds going in make PROGRESS like any other company – valuing work-rate over character and story to their own detriment? You be the judge.

This feels like a normal show and not their biggest one ever;

At the end of the day different people will have different feelings about how Hello Wembley has been set up. Some will feel that the card is nothing special, despite Ilja Dragunov’s first match for the company, despite the historical likelihood of a title change or two, and despite the potential resolution to the FSU explode saga. Others will just be happy to be there, supporting their company on the biggest stage they have ever booked to perform on. In the final analysis, the question has to be asked: since when have PROGRESS put on a bad show? Aside from PROGRESS 1978 (which was exceedingly daft in a bad way), when have you ever felt short changed, or anything less than satisfied, after seeing the fine women and men who make up the roster, give their all to get over and entertain? Yes there’s just one more chapter left this coming Sunday, but it seems reasonable to say that a full card will be in place for Wembley by the end of it.

Could we all maybe try supporting the idea that Wembley will actually be really good?

It’s an interesting conversation to have, as no company stays the same forever, and PROGRESS has had change with the demands that come from a hugely increased schedule. The days of slow-build feuds (a la Regression vs PROGRESS) are, for the most part, over as things have to move at a faster pace to keep up with said schedule. It’s a sad, but unavoidable, consequence of success. No matter people’s discontentment with the build, September 30th is sure to be a day to remember for the company and British wrestling in general. Let’s all celebrate that, and enjoy the biggest night independent wrestling show in England for 30 years.

Gareth Slade