Tag: Nikki Cross

Former WWE Stars Nikki Cross & Big Damo Take Over PROGRESS Wrestling, Become Co-Owners Of DEFY

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.

Nikki Cross & Joe Gacy Announce ‘We’re Here’ After Wyatt Sick6 Debut

On Monday, WWE RAW ended with the return of Uncle Howdy alongside the brand-new Wyatt Sick6.

This group includes the real-life versions of Ramblin’ Rabbit, Huskus The Pig, Mercy The Buzzard, and Abby The Witch, with Nikki Cross playing the role of Abby and Joe Gacy playing Huskus. Eric Rowan and Dexter Lumis are also part of the group.

Cross and Gacy took to social media to share their reactions.

Backstage Update On Potential Members Of WWE’s New Bray Wyatt-Themed Faction

Over the last few weeks, WWE has guided fans on a cryptic treasure hunt, with the final prize rumored to be a new faction led by Uncle Howdy (fka Bo Dallas), the real-life brother of the late Windham Rotunda (aka Bray Wyatt). WWE’s latest clue revealed a QR code at WWE Backlash that linked to a phone number and an audio file indicating that several “missing” people have come together to form a new family in WWE.

QR code hit the screen that sent viewers to the WWE-hosted landing page www.wwe.com/porte_ouverte. (That slug, “port ouverte,” is French for “open door.”)

On the page, an audio file is hosted, along with what appears to be a phone number, 888-280-3999 — the same number that, in 2022, revealed an audio clip of Bray Wyatt’s doctor revealing his (in character) mental health diagnosis, ending with a tease of his return. When playing the audio on the page, a distorted female voice says, “You think you’re so close to finding him but you don’t even know what you’re looking for. He’s not what you think. He just wants to help. That’s all he ever wanted. He opens up his arms and makes you feel like you matter; like you belong. He doesn’t change you. He, he reminds you. He wants to know, ‘Why did you forget about them?’ He says he opened the door and the time of secrets has come to an end.”

The familiar phone number now hosts a different message, mentioning “the ones that had gone missing,” and going on to say, in part, “None of you cared. Their families didn’t care. Their friends didn’t care, but I set them free. They are my family now and we will do anything to protect our family. I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve become. It’s beautiful.”

In the wake of this massive Easter egg, PWInsider is now reporting that this new group will soon present themselves on WWE television as a spinoff of sorts of the Wyatt Family. Moreover, this Bray Wyatt-themed faction will feature a few former associates of Wyatt’s, in addition to some new names, who have been subject to absences from WWE programming. The five names currently penciled into this reported group are Bo Dallas, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan.

Like the aforementioned audio file alluded to, all members of this new faction have previous experience in other factions, or families, in WWE. Cross formerly served as a member of Sanity up until her stablemates Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, and Killian Dain were called up to WWE’s main roster, while she remained in “WWE NXT” in 2018.   Similarly, Dexter Lumis was once a member of The Way alongside the likes of Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. While the latter three stayed in close proximity to each other on WWE’s main roster, Lumis abruptly disappeared from television last year, last wrestling on the June 1 episode of “WWE Main Event.” Erick Rowan, of course, was a member of the original Wyatt Family before the group disbanded in 2017.

For Gacy, his status as the leader of The Schism took a turn when Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler (Grizzled Young Veterans) departed from WWE in September 2023. As a result, Gacy later declared that Schism was “dead.”

As of now, there is no word on whether Alexa Bliss, who notably aligned with Wyatt’s alter-ego The Fiend from 2020 until 2021, will be part of this offshoot unit as well.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Nikki Cross Throws 24/7 Title In The Trash On WWE RAW

The WWE 24/7 Championship may be finished after new champion Nikki Cross threw the title in a trash can during this week’s episode of RAW.

During the show, Cross won the title from Dana Brooke, marking Cross’ 10th reign with the title and her first since returning last month.

After the match, a segment aired in which a laughing Cross tossed the title into (or at) a garbage can.

Source: EWrestlingNews

Nikki A.S.H. Cashes In Money In The Bank Contract, Wins Raw Women’s Title

Nikki A.S.H cashed in her Money in the Bank contract just one night after winning it to become the new Raw Women’s Champion.

A hectic Monday Night Raw ended with a surprise cash-in as Nikki A.S.H. wasted no time in using her newly-won Money in the Bank contract to take the Raw Women’s Championship away from Charlotte Flair.

24 hours after defeating Rhea Ripley for the title at Money in the Bank on Sunday night, Charlotte found herself in a rematch with the former champion. She wanted nothing to do with Ripley and argued the challenger was too injured to be a real threat. Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville called Charlotte’s bluff and set the rematch as the main event of the evening.

With so many big events already having taken place on Raw — John Cena opened the show, Keith Lee and Goldberg return, and Karrion Kross debuted — it was clear something big was going to happen if these two women were slated to close the three-hour program. Most fans in attendance thought it might be the return of Becky Lynch. Perhaps this was as good, if not the next best thing.

Charlotte escaped the match with her title, but after being attacked by Ripley, Nikki made her way to the ring, cashed in, landed a flying cross body off the top rope and secured the three count to become the new Raw Women’s Champion.

Source: The Sportster

Alexa Bliss Dealing With Bad Sinus Infection Going Into WWE Extreme Rules

Alexa Bliss has missed recent WWE TV events due to an illness. She is still scheduled to team with Nikki Cross for the 2-on-1 Handicap Match against SmackDown Women’s Champion Bayley at Sunday’s WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

Bliss is currently suffering from a “really bad” sinus infection, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.

Bliss’ sinus infection is the reason Cross was added to the match. Meltzer noted that originally they were not going to have Cross in the match, but plans changed due to Bliss’ illness.

Bliss has not commented on being out of action, but she did make this tweet with the “face with thermometer” emoji earlier this week:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Why Alexa Bliss Is Not Cleared For Money In The Bank, Who’s Her Replacement

As noted, WWE announced yesterday that Alexa Bliss is not medically cleared to compete at Sunday’s Money In the Bank pay-per-view.

Bliss is reportedly out of action with a concussion, according to PWInsider. She last wrestled on the April 29 RAW, losing to Naomi.

Bliss has suffered several concussions during her WWE career and recently spent several months out of the ring due to issues related to the concussions.

WWE has announced that Nikki Cross will be replacing Alexa Bliss in the women’s Money In the Bank Ladder Match at Sunday’s WWE MITB pay-per-view.

The women’s MITB Ladder Match will now feature Cross, Naomi, Natalya, Dana Brooke, Carmella, Mandy Rose, Bayley and Ember Moon.

Which WWE Roster Will Nikki Cross Be Working With?

There’s been speculation on which brand Nikki Cross will go to now that the 2019 WWE Superstar Shake-Up is over, and now it looks like she will be working with the RAW brand.

The WWE website still lists Cross as having no official brand, but she revealed on Instagram that she will be working red brand live events in St. Louis, Springfield and Moline this weekend, which would put her at Monday’s RAW in Des Moines, Iowa.

Cross came to the main roster in December 2018, and had made some appearances on both shows since then. She was the only recent call-up to be left without a brand coming out of the Shake-Up.

Cross posted the following on working with the RAW brand this weekend:

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Backstage Update On Alexander Wolfe’s WWE Status, Possible Roster Change To WWE NXT?, Nikki Cross, SAnitY

Alexander Wolfe took to Twitter earlier tonight and said goodbye to WWE, also confirming the end of SAnitY. Wolfe’s statement came hours after Killian Dain posted a similar message and one night after group leader Eric Young was sent to RAW from SmackDown in the 2019 WWE Superstar Shakeup, with no mention of his partners.

It’s worth noting that Wolfe and Dain are both still listed on WWE’s roster page. Pro Wrestling Sheet reports that Wolfe is still under contract. There is talk of Wolfe going back to WWE NXT, which could explain why he said goodbye to WWE in his statement.

Wolfe and Dain re-tweeted each other’s statements but Young has not acknowledged them on his own feed, as of this writing. Former SAnitY member Nikki Cross, who is married to Dain, also posted a goodbye message to SAnitY, which you can see below.

Below are the original statements from Wolfe and Dain:

“We (SanitY) made out TV debut October 2016 for NXT at Full Sail University in Orlando,FL. We had a great time in NXT and we accomplished a lot:- NXT Tag Team Champions
– NXT Tag Team of the year 2017
– 1st ever NXT/WWE WAR GAMES Match
– performed in front of about 15k people at a sold out Takeover PPV
– Growing together as athletes and performers

The whole group is like a family to me. I made 3 good friends over the last 3 years and I am really grateful for that. It was without a doubt a great time. Thank you guys for everything!

Thank you to the entire SD locker room. Thank you for the good vibes, laughs and wisdom. I appreciate all of you and I wish you all the best for your future careers.

Thank you to the fans who supported us and never stopped believing in us. I appreciate you as well and trust me I speak for all 4 of us.

It’s time to leave this behind and walk a different path.

RIP SAnitY
Goodbye #WWE”

Dain’s statement:

“Good luck @TheEricYoung Good luck @TheWWEWolfe I’ll miss you both terribly. Had the time of my life as part of Sanity!! You are phenomenal in the ring and outside of it. Thanks to everyone who supported us”

https://twitter.com/KillianDain/status/1118117597881483264

Nikki Cross’s tweet:

https://twitter.com/NikkiCrossWWE/status/1118272246487879681

There is no brand listed for Nikki Cross on wwe.com

WWE Superstars Nikki Cross & Killian Dain Get Married

Image result for Nikki Cross and Killian Dain Get Married

Former SAnitY partners Killian Dain and Nikki Cross are now married.

There are some reports on the two just getting engaged but WWE reports that they are married. WWE congratulated the happy couple on their website.

Dain revealed the tying of the knot on Twitter. He wrote, “Only took us 10 and a half years but when it’s right, its right. I love you @NikkiCrossWWE”

Cross also tweeted on the marriage, playing off the “10 Year Challenge” meme on social media. You can see both of their posts below:

https://twitter.com/KillianDain/status/1086010554563682305

https://twitter.com/NikkiCrossWWE/status/1086010990691524611

Source: WrestlingINC