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Two well-known names from WWE and the international wrestling scene are stepping into major leadership roles in professional wrestling.
Former WWE stars Nikki Cross and Killian Dain — also known worldwide as Big Damo — have officially acquired PROGRESS Wrestling in the United Kingdom and have also become co-owners of Seattle-based DEFY Wrestling.
The announcement marks a major shake-up for the independent wrestling landscape, especially considering both promotions have built strong reputations over the years. DEFY, in particular, has become closely linked with AEW talent, hosting appearances from stars such as Jon Moxley, Bryan Danielson, Swerve Strickland, Brody King, and Marina Shafir. The promotion also helped launch the careers of Darby Allin and Nick Wayne, while AEW’s Bryan Keith currently reigns as DEFY World Champion.
In the official statement released by PROGRESS, Damo and Nikki emphasized their commitment to growing both companies while continuing to spotlight rising wrestling talent from the UK, Ireland, and beyond.
Damo called the acquisition a huge opportunity to continue building on PROGRESS’ legacy.
“We both started in the UK and Ireland and fully believe this is host to the greatest talent pool on earth,” Damo stated. “PROGRESS is well positioned to showcase this generation and the next generation.”
He also praised the previous ownership group for steering the company through difficult years following the pandemic while helping create international relationships with promotions like Pro Wrestling NOAH and DEFY.
The former WWE star made it clear that developing new stars will remain a major priority moving forward, highlighting current PROGRESS names including Cara Noir, Luke Jacobs, Ethan Allen, Alexxis Falcon, Rhio, Kanji, and others as examples of the promotion’s deep roster.
Meanwhile, Nikki Cross becomes the first female co-owner in PROGRESS history, bringing a unique perspective after years competing at the highest level in WWE. During her WWE run, Nikki captured the RAW Women’s Championship, won Money in the Bank, and held multiple Women’s Tag Team Championships.
Nikki said she hopes to help elevate both promotions while expanding opportunities for women’s wrestling.
“It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling,” Nikki said. “I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels.”
One of the biggest announcements coming from the new ownership team is plans for the first standalone women’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament in 2027 following positive reactions to this year’s women’s tournament.
The duo also revealed that PROGRESS plans to expand into additional cities across the UK in the near future.
PROGRESS Wrestling has long been viewed as one of the most influential promotions in Europe, helping elevate names like Gunther, Pete Dunne, Toni Storm, and Will Ospreay before they became global stars.
Outgoing owners Martyn Best and Lee McAteer praised Nikki and Damo as the right people to lead the company into its next era, pointing to their worldwide experience and credibility within the wrestling business.
The new era officially begins with PROGRESS Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl II in Manchester on June 7, followed by Chapter 196: Scorchio! at London’s Electric Ballroom. The London event will also feature Nikki Cross making her first UK wrestling appearance since leaving WWE earlier this year.
With major industry connections, strong ties to both WWE and AEW talent, and plans for expansion already underway, the future of both PROGRESS and DEFY could become one of the more interesting stories in independent wrestling moving forward.
The full announcement from PROGRESS on both acquisitions can be read below:
In a seismic shift for British and Irish wrestling, two globally renowned figures are coming home. Damian Mackle, known internationally as former WWE star Killian Dain and Big Damo and his wife, Nicola Glencross, known as Nikki Cross and Nikki Storm, fresh off a decade-long tenure with WWE, are taking ownership of PROGRESS Wrestling, the UK’s premier independent wrestling promotion, as well as DEFY Wrestling, one of the biggest independent wrestling promotions in the United States.
The couple, who first made their names in the UK scene before achieving global fame, have vowed to ensure PROGRESS remains a launchpad for today’s and tomorrow’s stars.
Big Damo, who wrestled in PROGRESS before and after his WWE success, and is a former PROGRESS Men’s World, Tag Team and Atlas Champion, said,
“We are delighted to be the new co-owners of PROGRESS. We both started in the UK and Ireland and fully believe this is host to the greatest talent pool on earth and PROGRESS is well positioned to showcase this generation and the next generation.
“We are also very excited to be the new co-owners of DEFY Wrestling. Home to the most feverish fan base in the Pacific North West. Nikki and I have an affinity with Seattle, and I always had an incredible experience wrestling on the DEFY shows in front of the Defyance.”
“We would like to thank Martyn Best and Lee McAteer for being wonderful custodians and bringing new levels of professionalism to our industry. They steered PROGRESS after a worldwide pandemic, created an incredible wrestling network in Hooked On Wrestling TV, created a phenomenal working partnership with Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan and DEFY in USA and showed ambition, and an incredible drive to give multiple talented men and women visas to compete in the USA, and opportunities in so many other countries.
“Our job now is to guide PROGRESS through the coming years, identify new talent and integrate them with the current phenomenal roster. I’m proud to say we have some of the best wrestlers in the world performing for us right now. Our men’s World Champion Cara Noir and Charlie Sterling are performing at the highest level. Our Tag Team Champions Luke Jacobs and Ethan Allen are two of the best wrestlers in the world under 30. Our women’s division is host to some of the best women wrestlers alive. Women’s champion Alexxis Falcon, Rhio, Kanji, Emersyn Jayne and so many more. We also have Hollywood actor Paul Walter Hauser regularly walking the Hollywood red carpets with his PROGRESS Proteus Championship belt. Then there is Gene Munny, Charles Crowley, former WWE star Axel Tischer, Hollie Barlow, Simon Miller, Man Like DeReiss, Spike Trivet, Lykos Gym, and so many more.
“I could go on all day but Nikki and I want to continue to give these amazing athletes a platform to create engaging stories, while also leaving plenty of room for absolute masterpieces in ring.
“We also want to capitalise on our great relationships with talent and promotions worldwide, and create new partnerships that not only bring phenomenal talent to our shores, but also export our best talent to new ventures abroad.”
Nikki, a former WWE Women’s RAW World Champion, Money in the Bank Winner and also WWE Tag Team champion with Alexa Bliss and Rhea Ripley, becomes PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling’s first female co-owner, bringing a completely fresh point of view.
“It is not lost on me that there are few female owners in professional wrestling, so I want to bring my experience and insights to the table and elevate PROGRESS and DEFY to new levels.
“We were deeply encouraged by the first PROGRESS Women’s Super Strong Style 16 tournament. Rhio and Gisele competed in an incredible main event, and Rhio proved to be a worthy winner! We will soon be announcing that next year, in 2027, we will host the first stand alone female Super Strong Style 16.
“We are also in the process of bringing PROGRESS to new cities across the UK, and will be excited to announce those details soon”
PROGRESS Wrestling has been a cornerstone of British wrestling for 14 years, paving the way for stars like Pete Dunne, Toni Storm, Gunther and Will Ospreay. Now, with Damo and Nikki at the helm, the promotion is poised for its next chapter.
Expect exciting collaborations, new talent initiatives, and a renewed focus on the UK scene, all the while maintaining PROGRESS’s gritty, intimate atmosphere, and building upon their growing global presence.
PROGRESS was established in 2012, and dramatic and ground-breaking growth came to a halt in 2020 with the impact of the pandemic. Two years later, Martyn Best and Lee McAteer revived the promotion and have since delivered over 70 shows across the UK, USA, Germany, Canada and Dubai whilst re-establishing it as the leading UK promotion with many fine relationships across the globe.
Fresh from their success at the Collective in Las Vegas over WrestleMania weekend and the annual Super Strong Style 16 two day event which featured both a Men’s and Women’s tournament for the first time, Best & McAteer recognised that the influence and impact of Big Damo and Nikki Storm was needed to maintain this momentum.
Best added, “It’s been a fascinating and interesting journey with PROGRESS and I’ve personally made some very fine friendships. I’m so proud of what Lee and I have achieved and as with every successful and growing business it’s now time for its next chapter. Big Damo and Nikki Cross bring that extra massive oomph of global credibility and legitimate experience that PROGRESS now needs and I will certainly be supporting them and following their “progress” with huge interest.”
Lee McAteer said, “Being a custodian of PROGRESS Wrestling has been one of the greatest honours of my life and with fellow owners Martyn Best and Matt Buczek we have restored and protected PROGRESS and leave it in a stronger place for it to grow to the next level. I have been so proud of the connection we have nurtured with our loyal fans and it will be something I will always treasure.
“I am delighted that we are handing the company over to two people I have great admiration for, and are highly respected throughout the wrestling community. Big Damo and Nikki Cross are British and Irish wrestling royalty and after hearing their thoughts, I know that the most exciting chapter in PROGRESS’s history is still to come.
“To all the PROGRESS fans, wrestlers, colleagues and partners, thank you. I am incredibly excited for the future of PROGRESS under Big Damo and Nikki.”
The first order of business? The next show is in Manchester on 7th June at the O2 Ritz Academy, Chapter 195: Wonderbrawl II followed by the undoubted excitement of a homecoming show in London, at the Electric Ballroom.
Chapter 196: Scorchio! will feature Nikki making her first UK appearance since leaving WWE in April. Damo and Nikki will no doubt raise the roof with the PROGRESS faithful in the iconic Ballroom home of the company and set the tone for what’s to come. Tickets for those shows are available here.
Wrestling fans, both in the UK and worldwide, won’t want to miss what promises to be a landmark moment in the industry, and both shows will be available to watch live on Hooked On Wrestling TV.
Rumors surrounding a potential reunion of Enzo Amore and Big Cass in WWE continue to pick up steam following recent reports about the company wanting to strengthen its tag team division.
Last week, word surfaced that WWE has shown interest in rebuilding its tag team scene despite making several roster cuts shortly after WrestleMania. Among the names reportedly being discussed were former fan-favorite duo Enzo & Cass, who became one of the company’s most popular acts during the black-and-gold NXT era before moving to the main roster.
A new update from Fightful Select has added even more intrigue to the situation, particularly regarding Enzo Amore, now known on the independent scene as Real1.
According to the report, promoters have allegedly been informed that Amore is no longer accepting future wrestling bookings. Several promoters reportedly believe that decision could indicate he is WWE-bound, though no official confirmation has been made.
Amore has been away from WWE since early 2018, when he was released following allegations of sexual assault that reportedly were not disclosed to the company at the time. While the allegations generated major headlines, they never resulted in criminal charges. Since leaving WWE, Amore has wrestled for promotions including MLW, TNA, and various independent companies. His latest appearance came at WWA Hysteria 178, where he defeated Clay Williams.
Meanwhile, Big Cass — currently known as Big Bill in AEW — has also fueled speculation due to his recent absence from television. Bill has not appeared on AEW programming since February, while his last ROH match took place in early April.
Previous reports indicated that Bill’s AEW contract was expected to expire around the end of May or beginning of June, and Fightful noted this week that they have not heard of any changes to that timeline. His former tag team partner in AEW, Bryan Keith, has continued competing in singles matches during Bill’s absence.
Although Enzo and Cass have not regularly teamed together since splitting in WWE back in 2017, the duo did briefly reunite earlier this year during Chris Jericho’s Rock ‘N’ Wrestling Rager at Sea cruise event.
If WWE is truly looking to inject new life into its tag division, bringing back one of the most recognizable teams of the late 2010s would certainly create conversation. Whether the former “Realest Guys in the Room” actually make their return remains to be seen, but the speculation is clearly growing louder.
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AAA has officially found its new general manager, and the promotion turned to one of the most legendary names in lucha libre history to fill the role.
During this week’s episode of AAA on FOX, WWE Hall of Famer and AAA icon Rey Mysterio was revealed as the company’s new General Manager. The announcement came weeks after AAA President Marisela Peña stated the promotion was actively searching for someone to lead the brand into its next chapter.
The reveal took place in front of a packed crowd at Gimnasio Olímpico in Mexico City. Peña, Dorian Roldán, several AAA legends, and current roster members gathered in and around the ring for the ceremony before introducing Mysterio to a massive ovation from the crowd.
Following the announcement, Mysterio addressed the fans and reflected on the significance of the moment. The legendary luchador described the opportunity as a full-circle moment in his career, noting that his journey in professional wrestling began in AAA. He also promised to help guide the promotion into a new era that both talent and fans can be proud of.
Not everyone appeared thrilled with the decision, however.
AAA Mega Champion Dominik Mysterio was shown backstage during the segment and did not look pleased about his father taking over as General Manager. The reaction immediately raised questions about possible future tension between the father-and-son duo inside AAA storylines.
Before Mysterio was selected, Dorian Roldán and WWE Hall of Famer John “Bradshaw” Layfield were both reportedly candidates for the position.
AAA now turns its attention toward Noche de los Grandes in Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico. Night one of the event is scheduled for next Saturday and will feature four matches, including a heavily promoted Mask vs. Mask match between El Grande Americano and “The Original” El Grande Americano.
AEW returned with a loaded Double Or Nothing 2026 card featuring championship changes, brutal stipulations, Owen Hart Tournament matches, and a chaotic Stadium Stampede main card attraction. By the end of the night, Maxwell Jacob Friedman stood tall as the new AEW World Champion after defeating Darby Allin in a violent Hair vs. Title showdown.
Here’s everything that went down from Double Or Nothing 2026.
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions Lena Kross and Megan Bayne survived the five-minute eliminator challenge against Viva Van and Zayda Steel. The challengers nearly pulled off the upset late, but Divine Dominion finished Steel off with a double chokeslam before time expired.
After the match, the champions continued the assault until TayJay ran them off with weapons in hand.
Claudio Castagnoli, Daniel Garcia, and Wheeler YUTA picked up a hard-fought trios victory over Anthony Bowens, HOOK, and Katsuyori Shibata.
The match broke down late with all six men involved, but Claudio ultimately flattened Bowens with a devastating running uppercut to secure the win for the Death Riders.
“Big Boom” AJ, QT Marshall, Mark Briscoe, Orange Cassidy, and Roderick Strong defeated Shane Taylor Promotions in a wild ten-man tag team match filled with comedy spots and chaos.
The babyface team scored the victory with a triple powerbomb on Carlie Bravo. Afterward, Eddie Kingston, Ortiz, and Mance Warner made the save when STP attempted another attack.
During the pre-show, Maxwell Jacob Friedman insulted WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley before attacking him with a low blow. Darby Allin eventually made the save.
Foley then gave Allin an emotional pep talk ahead of the AEW World Title main event.
Adam Copeland and Christian Cage regained the AEW World Tag Team Championships in one of the most violent matches of the night.
The bout featured barbed wire, pliers, steel chairs, cinder blocks, flaming tables, and even the return of Beth Phoenix. Stokely Hathaway was also sent crashing through a flaming table after Cash Wheeler accidentally speared him.
The ending came after Beth introduced the nail-studded board known as “Spike.” Copeland drove Spike into Dax Harwood’s face, finally forcing Harwood to say “I quit.”
With the win, Cope and Christian remained together as a team and captured the titles.
Konosuke Takeshita dethroned Kazuchika Okada in an instant classic to become the new AEW International Champion.
The two traded brutal strikes and dramatic nearfalls throughout the match. Takeshita eventually survived Okada’s offense and connected with Raging Fire to score the pinfall victory.
After the match, Kyle Fletcher made his return. Fletcher initially teased standing beside Takeshita before turning on him with a lariat and a Brainbuster. Fletcher then aligned himself with Okada and the Don Callis Family.
Athena advanced in the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Tournament after defeating Mina Shirakawa.
Mina targeted Athena’s knee for much of the contest and nearly stole the win multiple times. However, Athena countered late and connected with the O-Face for the decisive pinfall.
Jon Moxley retained the AEW Continental Championship in a technical war against Kyle O’Reilly.
Both men focused heavily on submissions and leg attacks throughout the no time limit match. O’Reilly came close several times with ankle locks and arm submissions, but Moxley eventually trapped him in an ankle lock of his own to force the tap out.
After the match, the two shared a respectful handshake.
Will Ospreay survived a physical battle with Samoa Joe to move forward in the Owen Hart Tournament.
Joe repeatedly punished Ospreay with submissions and power offense, while Ospreay answered with explosive counters and aerial attacks. After Joe shockingly kicked out of one Hidden Blade at one count, Ospreay connected with a second Hidden Blade to finally earn the victory.
Swerve Strickland advanced in the Owen Hart Tournament after overcoming Bandido in a fast-paced showcase.
Bandido pushed Strickland to the limit with several close nearfalls, including a massive 21-Plex attempt and a flip piledriver. In the end, Swerve landed the House Call kick to secure the victory.
Thekla retained the AEW Women’s World Championship in a chaotic four-way match against Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander, and Hikaru Shida.
All four women traded momentum throughout the bout, with several nearfalls breaking down into complete chaos. The finish saw Shida use a kendo stick on Statlander before Thekla capitalized with a running knee to steal the win and retain her title.
The Stadium Stampede match delivered absolute chaos as fourteen competitors battled throughout the arena.
Highlights included:
The finish came when Chris Jericho pinned Bishop Kaun after a Lionsault.
Jericho later paid tribute to Sabu by diving through a table after the match.
Maxwell Jacob Friedman defeated Darby Allin in a brutal main event to become the new AEW World Champion.
The match featured several dangerous moments, including Darby launching himself off the stage scaffolding through a table onto MJF. Despite the punishment, Friedman survived a Coffin Drop and multiple Scorpion Death Drops.
The finish came after MJF delivered an avalanche tombstone piledriver before scoring the pinfall with a side headlock takeover.
Because of the stipulation, MJF kept his hair while also capturing the AEW World Championship.
After the match, Kevin Knight surprisingly attacked Darby Allin with a UFO Splash while Darby was strapped to a stretcher, teasing a shocking heel turn.
The opening six-woman tag match quickly turned chaotic as WWE Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley teamed with Charlotte Flair and Alexa Bliss against Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin.
Ripley and Cargill’s tension was front and center throughout the bout, but Charlotte Flair ended up carrying much of the action during the middle stretch after being isolated by the opposing team. Michin nearly scored a shocking win after countering Flair with a Styles Clash, but Ripley broke up the pinfall attempt with a running knee.
Once Ripley finally got her hands on Cargill late in the match, the crowd erupted. The two exchanged strikes before Ripley connected with a Riptide that looked like it could end things, but Michin interrupted the cover.
The closing moments completely broke down, with all six competitors trading big moves. After Ripley, Flair, and Bliss briefly stood tall together, Cargill blindsided Ripley with a pump kick and followed it up with Jaded to pin the WWE Women’s Champion clean in the center of the ring.
The win gives Cargill massive momentum heading into her championship match against Ripley at Clash in Italy.
Winners: Jade Cargill, B-Fab, and Michin
Becky Lynch may have technically lost to Sol Ruca, but she made sure nobody remembered the result for long.
Before the match even officially got underway, Lynch smashed the Women’s Intercontinental Championship into Ruca’s face and immediately set a hostile tone. Ruca responded with an explosive athletic showing, dazzling the crowd with springboard offense and a moonsault to the floor.
Things fell apart when Ruca attempted the Sol Snatcher, only for Lynch to pull referee Jessika Carr into the way of the move. The referee was taken out in an awkward collision, forcing a disqualification victory for Ruca.
The post-match assault was far more brutal than the match itself.
An enraged Lynch blasted Ruca with the title belt before delivering three consecutive Manhandle Slams while trash-talking the rising star. Officials tried to intervene, but Lynch chased them away and stood tall with the championship.
It’s clear Becky is sending a message to the entire women’s division.
Winner via DQ: Sol Ruca
Penta and Ethan Page arguably stole the show with a hard-hitting Intercontinental Championship match that had the crowd invested from start to finish.
Page targeted Penta’s back early after launching him onto the commentary table, slowing down the champion and controlling long stretches of the match with methodical offense. Penta repeatedly fought back with his trademark speed and creativity, including a huge tope con hilo and a springboard DDT that nearly ended the contest.
The final stretch turned into a dramatic back-and-forth exchange featuring near falls and counters from both men. Page nearly captured the title after an avalanche powerslam and later tried to cheat by exposing the turnbuckle pad.
That plan backfired.
Penta reversed the momentum, sending Page ribs-first into the exposed corner before hitting a spectacular springboard Mexican Destroyer to retain the championship.
The crowd gave both men a strong ovation after one of the best matches of the night.
Winner and still WWE Intercontinental Champion: Penta
Brie Bella and Paige managed to survive a power-heavy challenge from Nia Jax and Lash Legend.
The champions used speed and double-team offense early, but the match shifted once Jax and Legend started overpowering Paige in their corner. Legend especially impressed during the heat segment, throwing Paige around and controlling the pace.
Bella eventually got the hot tag and rallied the crowd with a series of kicks and quick offense on Jax. The challengers looked close to winning after a devastating Samoan Drop and splash combination, but Paige broke up the pinfall attempt.
The finish saw Paige counter Jax with a roll-up while Brie Bella added extra leverage from behind to steal the victory and retain the titles.
Winners and still WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions: Scream Mode
The main event tag title match between The Vision and The Street Profits delivered nonstop energy, but controversy once again followed Logan Paul.
Montez Ford and Angelo Dawkins had the crowd behind them from the opening bell, repeatedly shutting down Paul and Theory’s attempts to control the pace. Ford especially electrified the audience with his athleticism, including a massive somersault senton over the ring post onto both opponents at ringside.
Despite the momentum, Paul’s loaded right hand and constant interference from Paul Heyman kept the champions alive. The Street Profits appeared moments away from victory after hitting their blockbuster Doomsday Device combination on Theory, but Paul broke up the pin.
Things escalated even further when Bron Breakker stormed to ringside. Dawkins managed to launch Breakker over the announce table, but Heyman ultimately changed the outcome by placing Theory’s foot on the ropes during a near fall.
Moments later, Logan Paul knocked Ford out with brass knuckles behind the referee’s back, allowing Theory to steal the pinfall victory.
After the match, Breakker laid out both Street Profits with Spears before standing tall alongside The Vision and Paul Heyman.
Winners and still World Tag Team Champions: The Vision
AEW Double or Nothing – Sunday, May 24, 2026 – Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York
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